Education
Once there he studied at the Art Students League of New York (1933-1936) and the George Pearse Ennis School of Painting (1933).
artist cartoonist executive illustrator
Once there he studied at the Art Students League of New York (1933-1936) and the George Pearse Ennis School of Painting (1933).
Within a few years, he landed a job with the newly published Esquire magazine and soon became one of its favorites with his series of risque rooster / hen barnyard cartoons. A portfolio of seventeen of his creations appeared in the Esquire centerfold in the October 1940 issue. In the late 1930s, he joined illustrator Sol Immerman to organize what was prior to 1942 known as the Immerman-Holley Art Studio.
Through the mid 1940s the studio, employing several artists, and operating with the logo IM-HO, produced art for more than 200 sheet music covers.
Many of the tunes were popular patriotic World World War II songs. At one time, it was estimated that IM-HO was doing art for scores of different music publishers and had 80% of the cover illustration business.
Most notable amongst these was cymbal manufacturer Avedis Zildjian Company, an advertising account he held until his death in 1977. In 1954, Holley joined the New York branch of the McCarty Company and was a Vice President there until 1959 at which time he established the Holley-Thomas Advertising Company
The latter operated in New York City until 1971 when it moved to Williston Park, New New York Following his infatuation with automobiles, second only to that for jazz, Holley’s notable accounts included British Motor Corporation (MG, Austin-Healey, and Morris Minor) and Lucas Automotive.
