On Dec. 4, Holly Ittel dresses her daughter Ivy before school. Holly’s family lives near Ivy’s school so they walk together every morning. “I'm mom until the kids go to sleep, and often times I fall asleep with them between 8 and 10 p.m., it can be hectic to balance,” Holly said.
Holly Ittel kisses her son, Leo’s cheek while her daughter Ivy hugs her on Dec. 4. While Holly is in class and her husband, John is working, their children are in school or daycare. “My favorite moments are when my kids are playing with each other. Right now, it's a lot of rough housing and tackling, and they both laugh the whole time,” Holly said.
Holly and John Ittel dress their two children, Ivy and Leo in the morning of Dec. 4. Holly and John have been together since their undergraduate senior year in 2013. “We've been together through our 20s, some of our most important or formative events have happened together such as major career changes, and of course becoming parents together. He's a wonderful dad and really does so much for our family,” Holly said.
On Dec. 4, Holly and John Ittel get their kids ready for the day. Holly sometimes takes her children along for quick errands if her husband is working or they aren’t in school, such as when she picks up camera equipment from Ohio University’s checkout room. “I really appreciate everything John does for our family and to keep our house and lifestyle afloat,” Holly said.
Ivy and Leo Ittel play with their family Christmas tree’s ornaments. Many of the family’s ornaments are special to them and have deep meaning. “Leo is our sweet little 17-month-old baby. He is huge for his age and has the sweetest, gentlest disposition and is also so playful and silly,” Holly said.
On Dec. 4, Holly Ittel puts her daughter, Ivy’s hair into a bun before leaving for school. After the family drops Ivy off at school each morning, Holly brings Leo to daycare before heading to her own classes while her husband John goes to work. “My family, particularly my children, are my priority,” Holly said.
Holly and John Ittel walk their daughter Ivy to school on Dec. 4 while their son Leo rides in the stroller. The Ittel’s encourage their kids to make their own decisions such as what to wear or pack in their lunches. “John and I are dedicated to ensuring our children grow up in a creative environment, experiencing art of all forms, and creating their own art,” Holly said.
On Dec. 4, Holly Ittel walks her 4 ½ year old daughter Ivy to school, before attending classes of her own. Holly is currently pursuing her MFA degree at Ohio University where she previously attended for her undergraduate in 2009. “It’s all about balance and putting a few priorities on the backburner, like right now I know I cannot manage keeping my home tidy, it's just not a priority at this season of life for me,” Holly said.
On Nov. 13, Holly Ittel walks to the backyard of her subject’s house for a portrait project. Holly found her subject in Kindred Market as she was searching for a model for a portrait project about motherhood. “My creative work explores topics of motherhood, particularly around postpartum anxiety,” Holly said.
Holly Ittel sets up a backdrop for a photoshoot on Nov. 13. She thrifted a vintage quilt for a unique backdrop for her project. “I grew up on a farm in College Corner, Ohio and moved to Athens in 2009 to attend Ohio University and graduated in 2013 with BFA in Ceramics. Soon after I moved to New York City until 2017 when John and I moved back to Athens, his hometown,” Holly said.
On Nov. 13, Holly Ittel finalizes the backdrop for a photoshoot while her model’s daughter plays in front of it. Holly’s projects all stem from her creative background and experience. “For 5 years I worked as the Exhibitions and Quilt National Director at The Dairy Barn Arts Center here in Athens, I loved my projects,” Holly said.
Holly Ittel photographs her subject’s daughter playing in her backyard on Nov. 13. Holly hopes to continue her creative career after her MFA program. “At The Dairy Barn, I worked with international artists, traveled across the country and to France for the job, and found a lot of pride in my work,” Holly said.
Holly photographs an Athens local mother with her children on Nov. 13. Portraiture is one of the courses Holly has to take for her MFA program. “The MFA is a terminal degree and is a requirement for the teaching I hope to do in the future. It's also the time for me to explore my creativity — making it my top priority aside from my family,” Holly said.
On Nov. 19, Holly Ittel and her classmates look at her portrait project with their professor, Gary Kirksey. Along with her MBA program, Holly is involved with several other campus activities. “I am a TA, an instructor of record and I work with WOUB,” Holly said.
Holly Ittel talks with classmates while waiting for her portrait project to print on Nov. 19. Holly juggles her family life along with her education, campus activities, her small business and the Arts West committee. “When I'm home at 5p.m. — school is over,” Holly said.
On Nov. 19, Holly Ittel and her professor, Gary Kirksey, view her portrait project. In the MFA program, Holly focuses on filmmaking, sound design and photography. “My husband is really happy for me to be in this program, and knows that we have to depend on each other,” Holly said.
Holly Ittel poses with her permanent jewelry set-up on Nov. 20 at Baker Student Center. She offers many different options of chains that most permanent jewelry businesses do not. “With my background of fine arts it seemed pretty doable to think of a self-made career using my hands,” Holly said.
On Nov. 20, Holly Ittel puts a permanent bracelet on an Ohio University student. Her business was inspired by a piece of artwork she had done for her cousin before she passed. “By the time we got home from my cousin's funeral, I had ordered the equipment and my first inventory; my business was up and running just a few weeks later,” Holly said.
Holly Ittel uses pliers to cut the excess chain off of a bracelet on Nov. 20. Her business is called “other perfect things”. “I really enjoy this work, and it's provided additional income for my family,” Holly said.
On Nov. 20, Holly Ittel talks with a customer while she assembles her permanent bracelet. Her business is named after a piece of artwork she made for her cousin. “I documented this artwork on my Instagram account with the same name,” Holly said.
On Nov. 20, Holly Ittel clasps a permanent bracelet shut for Ohio University student, Kennedy Stana. Holly does jewelry pop-ups at the Bleeding Heart Boutique whenever she has the time. “It's been great to work with clients and get to hear their stories,” Holly said.
Holly Ittel hosts a pop-up jewelry event for Ohio University sororities on Nov. 20 at Baker Student Center. Holly made a piece of artwork for her cousin before she passed away in May 2024 titled “other perfect things” which is now the name of her permanent jewelry business. “At her funeral, her sister-in-law was wearing a necklace that I complemented, and she said it was permanent jewelry, which I had heard about from a jeweler I had followed and visited in New York City. The permanent jewelry thing really stuck with me and my sister, who encouraged me to go for it,” Holly said.
Holly Ittel attends an Arts West meeting on Nov. 13. She serves as the vice chair commissioner of the Athens municipal arts commission. “This role has been valuable for me to better learn about how the city operates,” Holly said.
On Nov. 13, Holly discusses upcoming projects with the Arts West committee. Arts West offers resources to community members and organizations. “The committee advises the mayor on art projects and opportunities in the city such as the forthcoming sculpture park by the new city fire station and the art-wrapped exchange boxes around town,” Holly said.
Holly Ittel goes over the agenda on Nov. 13 for an Arts West meeting. The facility values and encourages creativity and art throughout the Athens community. “I feel proud to be involved in these public art projects which provide opportunities to artists and add vibrancy to our city,” Holly said.
On Dec. 2 Holly Ittel prepares for a film with a fellow MFA student, Chris Joeckon and Chelsea Clark-Besic. After having two children, Holly is very passionate about postpartum anxiety. “The film combines performance, art, and experimental filmmaking to illustrate how postpartum anxiety can feel,” Holly said.
On Dec. 2, Holly Ittel laughs with Chelsea Clark-Besic while setting up for her film. Chelsea helped Holly wrap twine around herself for her film about postpartum anxiety. “I love making and exploring and this program has allowed this type of play,” Holly said.
Holly Ittel wraps herself with twine on Dec. 2 while making an experimental film. Holly wanted to use twine as a visual representation of what postpartum anxiety can feel like. “I feel very fortunate and blessed to have the opportunities to live my creative life. It's a difficult balance, it’s not all perfect and it does take a toll in ways, but our life feels dynamic and creative and cozy for now with our little ones,” Holly said.
On Dec. 2, Holly Ittel stands in front of a camera while filming herself for a project. Holly has complete creative freedom for her projects that she works on during her MFA program. “I’m really proud of the film I just finished,” Holly said.
Holly Ittel wraps her entire body with twine to represent postpartum anxiety on Dec. 2. She strives to use her creativity in all aspects of her life. “It's important to me that my children grow up in a comforting environment, and value the relationship between each other,” Holly said.