Hello there!

I’m sticking my head out after our winter, just like the gophers in my garden. I’ve got flowers bloomin’ and botanicals bursting all over the place. As I write this, the sun is shining after the rain, my garden is happy and I am back in the studio at last.

Let me tell you what is blooming in my corner of the world.

#1.

I am teaching a cyanotype workshop with White Buffalo Land Trust. Get your creative energy flowing with hands-on Cyanotype printing at the breathtaking Jalama Canyon Ranch! Join us and immerse yourself in the art of sun printing as you create stunning botanical prints using delicate grasses and vibrant wildflowers. Plus, savor a delicious lunch while soaking in the beauty of the season.

Blueprints of Nature

This Saturday March 22, 2025. 9-2 pm.

Space is limited - a few spots left!

Sign Up Here

An “in process” view of a cyanotype developing in the sun!

2.

StoryTellers Exhibit

Dont miss it! Up through March 24th.

Sullivan Goss 11 East Anapamu Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

A day was spent scouting out the flower fields in Lompoc. We were greeted by a crew of women yelling "gritos" while blasting Mexican Folk music. I thought of the history of the many women who had worked in the fields of California. I found my Califia muse in the flower fields.

30x30”, oil and cold wax by Holli Harmon

#3.

Spring Salon 2025 Sullivan Goss

More is blooming ! March 25- May 26th, 2025.

Matillija Poppies, 20x20, oil and cold wax by Holli Harmon

And on a final note, I have my first grandbabies! Identical twin girls born on Valentines Day.

Charlie ( Charlotte) and Frankie ( Francesca) Harmon, 1 week old….

As always, I’d love to hear about what is blooming in your world. Your replies are cherished!

Holli

Threads… they tie us, connect us, bind us together in a web of creation, like strands in a tapestry.   I've come to realize how certain threads have consistently woven through my work, shaping its evolution and connecting seemingly disparate pieces into a cohesive whole.

For instance, my early work often reflected my own experiences and observations. Over time, this thread expanded to include broader societal issues, such as environmental sustainability or cultural diversity and identity. Each piece I create becomes a thread in this larger tapestry, contributing to a dialogue that is bigger than the individual works.

Falling Stars, Oil on Quadrafoil panel. Holli Harmon

Part of the Four Nations, One Spirit :100 Years of Fiesta Solo Show Sullivan Goss August 2024

“I am leaning into the Four Nations theme from the 100 year Anniversary Fiesta poster.  I have created a small body of work that explores the four nations and cultures that have formed our California identity. 

FOUR NATIONS, ONE SPIRIT: 100 YEARS OF FIESTA

These paintings will be a shown at Sullivan Goss from July 26th- August 26, 2024 beside the “Four Nations, One Spirit” painting that is in the 100 year Fiesta anniversary poster.”

Ultimately, these threads—subjects, styles, and materials—serve not only to bind my work together but also to connect it with a broader audience. Each thread represents a narrative, inviting viewers to personally unravel the layers of meaning and interpretation within each piece.

The threads are not just elements of construction but reflect our interconnectedness. They remind me that our individual stories, like threads in a tapestry, are woven together to create something greater than the sum of its parts—a fabric that resonates with emotion, challenges perceptions, and invites meaningful conversation.

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What’s happening now?

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Gouache Painting Workshop

August Hath 31 Days, Gouache on reproduced 1886 almanac page. Almanac page floated on original cyanotype. Holli Harmon

Sign Up Here

Fields of Color: Celebrating the Intersection of Art and Agriculture through Gouache Watercolors

Saturday, July 13, 2024, 9:00 AM 2:00 PM

White Buffalo Land Trust 3635 Jalama Road Lompoc, CA, 93436

This immersive experience offers a unique opportunity to explore the beauty of the ranch through painting while supporting our mission.

Experience the principles of regenerative land stewardship and capture the vibrant colors and textures of the ranch using gouache watercolor techniques. Bring home a traveling gouache kit to continue painting. Gouache is very similar to watercolor, but is opaque and can be layered.

*ALL MATERIALS AND LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED, including high-quality paints, paper, brushes, and other supplies. Participants are welcome to bring their own materials if they prefer.

**No Experience Necessary: Whether you're an experienced artist or a beginner, this workshop is open to all skill levels. Embrace the opportunity to learn, create, and connect in a supportive and inspiring environment.

“This is the true joy in life…..my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it what I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations. ”

— George Bernard Shaw

From the human condition to nature’s beauty, and from societal issues to personal introspection, my work has gravitated towards certain themes that resonate deeply with me. These subjects act as guiding lights, influencing the narratives I choose to explore and the messages I aim to convey through my art.

With gratitude,

Holli Harmon