Celebrating a Century: A Grand Story in a Little Pocket Show

This little pocket show will actually tell a big story. Inspired by the 100-year anniversary of Santa Barbara’s Fiesta, this exhibition weaves together both traditional and contemporary painting. At the heart of this body of work is the grand dame, the "Four Nations, One Spirit" painting. This artwork encapsulates California's rich history and serves as the image for Santa Barbara’s Centennial Fiesta poster.

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Be sure to add your name to the list for a first come, first serve sneak preview.

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Four Nations, One Spirit, oil on canvas, 48x36”. Painting for the 100 Year Anniversary Poster for Santa Barbara’s Fiesta. By Holli Harmon.

On view at Sullivan Goss, July 26-August 26, 2024.

Don’t miss it!  It opens July 26th and is gone August 26th!  Drop in while you are enjoying Fiesta. 

Opening Reception

First Thursday, August 1st, 5-8pm. 

Bring your poster for signing!

Traditional Style with a Modern Twist

The large painting for the anniversary Fiesta poster is crafted in a style that is both traditional and reminiscent of the famous illustrators from the early 1920s. From this central piece, all other paintings in the show play with the historic influences that shape our current culture. These little narratives are often tongue-in-cheek and invite viewers to take a second look to uncover deeper meanings. The Four Nations Botanical Garden, creates a landscape where each national flower merges and entwines through pattern, paint and line on 4 panels rimmed with copper.

Four Nations Botanical Garden, oil on (4) 12x36” panels rimmed with copper. By Holli Harmon

The Art of Storytelling Through Sketches

Creating a cohesive narrative involves pulling together many ideas. I start with small sketches of places and subjects to define themes. These sketches, loosely painted in the alla prima style, are little gems that form the foundation for the larger "Four Nations, One Spirit" painting. Spanish painter Joaquin Sorolla referred to such sketches as "apuntes," meaning jottings or notes. These were the building blocks for the final narrative for the poster.

Apunte- Flamenco Manilla Shawl, oil on 6x8 panel with stenciled border by Holli Harmon

Read more about it! A sweet write up by Leslie Dinaberg in the Santa Barbara Independent.

I’m looking forward to seeing you during the festivities! Viva la Fiesta! 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