Meet Holly

Painting became my constant during periods of change in my childhood. As someone shy, painting and nature were places of sanctuary where I learned to trust myself with mistakes and gained confidence. Painting was, and is, my source of regulation.

My inspiration stems from a presence outdoors & noticing calming colors - often the contrasting hues of a beautiful sunset. I capture reference photos to more deeply examine these colors. The oil medium I use brings these scenes to life with a unique depth as the layers of paint develop, and offer control over something in a world that often feels the opposite. The outcome is a painting that takes me back to those memories of stillness with explosions of color.

My time in nature often mirrors my time with my paintings: visits are sometimes short, but always enough to feel grounding. As with painting, even 5 minutes can provide a nervous system reset. Or, like a long day hike, I may use a whole day to paint. Each experience is unique, but there remains the constant of presence, stillness, and a calm mind.