Richardson began drawing what he saw when he was still in grade school. As a young man he was rendering realistic life drawings. It was challenging to get the likeness of people, the proportions and perspective correctly. As his skills developed, his drawings became more emotive and expressive.
Today his artwork is more imaginative and fun, but it is seriously skilled wall art. Drawing has a calming effect on him as he devotes his full attention to the task at hand. The discovery that that he could render pencil drawings with the rich colors of Prismacolor Pencils, has had an inspirational impact on him.
Hollis Richardson became so excited about drawing again, that he would begin early in the day and continue working until late at night, one project exciting his imagination and spurring him on to begin another. He credits drawing with helping him to be more observant of his surroundings, to see shapes instead of things, seeing and using values and to practice using all the elements of design, including textures, patterns, positive and negative space, shapes, lines and most importantly, good perspective to create pleasing compositions. He likes creating small works of wall art. Creating a good design in a small space lends itself to a quick, spontaneous process that only an experienced artist can accomplish well. Drawings and paintings that are not over worked is often better artwork, imparting a sense of freshness, immediacy and stimulating a connection with the viewer.
It is difficult for Hollis Richardson to answer the question of why he draws what he does. It is rooted in his experiences with different cultures and women in his life. He enjoys using decorative details that might be used in celebrations and events. However, his drawings and paintings are not replications of any one culture or personality. Rather they are the representation of the experience of such events, and the joy and significance of them to the person or people involved. It is contemporary modern wall art, used playfully.