more artwork by Aaron Holland - click here!
Artist's Statement:
The landscape for me is a reflection of creation, and it is a personal reflection.
Life is short, and fast-paced, and so many things vie for our attention. If we are not careful it is apt to pass us by unnoticed, not really appreciated, just lived through. "Plein air" painting translates as "open air", or "Outside and on location". For me it means stopping long enough to really get a feel for a place. It also means for me, trying to paint what I see so that others might see it and feel it for themselves. It is exciting and challenging to try and capture fleeting effects.
Most of the paintings we do in PenPAP are only three hours in total. That is not a very long time by painting standards! Beyond that time, however, the light has changed too much to continue the same picture. It is a constant reminder that life moves ever forward.
Painting 'en plein air' is also fun. It is as fun as it is challenging! The light is always moving, the clouds are always moving, does anything stay still??! But how beautiful and varied the moods of nature can be!
Technically speaking, in my plein air paintings I seek to capture light and color, and to do so in a way that looks "painterly" (shows the brushstrokes). I strive for "fresh", clean colors whenever possible, and try to avoid muddy mixtures. I paint what I see, which might classify me as a realist, but I also concentrate on bright color and capturing a "mood", which is a hallmark of the impressionists.
Another great challenge about painting is that there is always something to be learned, and nature is a great teacher! She will only teach as much as one is able to learn, and not an ounce more!
A Brief Biography:
Aaron is a Door County artist, and paints plein air year round.
Aaron Holland studied art at the Bougie Studio(atelier) in Minneapolis. He was in apprenticeship to Peter Bougie and Brian Lewis from 1995-1998, where he studied Classical Realism in the French Academic tradition.
Holland currently resides and continues to paint at his studio in Wisconsin. He is known primarily for 'plein air' oil paintings of landscapes, but explores a number of other genre.
Please see his website for a complete portfolio at:
www. Holland Art Studio. com
Previous Shows:
*2009- The Hardy Gallery Invitational(Ephraim)
*2009- Oconomowoc Mid-Summer Plein Air Competition/Exhibition (July)
*2009- Honorable Mention Award Winner- Oconomowoc Plein Air
*2009- Cedarburg Outdoor Painting Competition- Artist
* - and Exhibit at Cedarburg Cultural Center
*2009- Hardy Wall-to-Wall Salon Event
*2008— American Artist Watercolor magazine- Finalist, Cover Competition
*2008— Estes Park, CO- International Plein Air Painters (IPAP) Group Show (currently touring on a North American Tour)
*2008— Hardy Center for the Arts "Invitational Exhibition" Ephraim, Wisconsin
*2008— Hardy CFA 'Mosaic Event' Invitational and Auction to benefit the FHCFA
*2008 — Solo Show- Featured Artist for June "Artist of the Month" Door County Memorial Hospital
*2008 — Peninsula Art School "2008 Salon" Annual Show
*2008 — Solo Show at Link Gallery in Fish Creek in conjunction with Contemporary Landscape Artists (CLA)
*2008 — 2008- Hosting Artist for the “World Tour of Contemporary Landscape Artists”
*2008 — Richeson 75 International Competition: "Artist Choice"- Awarded a Meritorious Entry in the the Publication
* 2007 --Door County Art League - Painting Demonstration in Watercolor
* 2007 -- Judge of Awards- Door County Art League 'Members Only Exhibition' - Sturgeon Bay, WI.
* 2007 -- Solo Show - Wallflowers Gallery- Canby, Oregon (May)
* 2007 -- Faculty Show Peninsula Art School- Fish Creek, WI.
* 2007 -- "Alive in the Arts- Juried Exhibition"- Plymouth Arts Center, Plymouth, WI
* 2007 -- Published in Hardcover Book- Richeson 75 : Figure/ Portrait International 2007
* 2007 -- Still Life '07- Online Art competition
* 2007 — Richeson Still —Life: 75 International Still-Life Competition
* 2006 — Miller Art Museum Annual Show — Special Merit Cash Award
* 2006 — Beacons Around the Bay — juried charity fundraiser and auction (see Public Works page)
* 2006 -- Alla Prima International Exhibit (Invited Guest Artist) Barnsite Art Studio and Gallery
* 2006 -- Christmas Exhibition at Plymouth Arts Center Plymouth, WI
* 2005 — Participated in Tulip Time's 75th anniversary —jubilee in Holland, Michigan
* 2005 — City of Holland Purchase of "The Dutch Windmill" for Windmill Island.
* 2005 — Keynote Speaker at Bay Area Watercolor Guild — Lecture Composition.
* 2005 — Hardy Center for the Arts — juried annual show
* 2004 — Sturgeon Around the Bay — participated in juried charity event. (Public Works)
* 2004 — Hardy Center for the Ats — juried annual show
* 2004 — Keynote Speaker and Demonstration at Bay Area Watercolor guild
* 2004 — Miller Art Museum — juried annual show
* 2003 — Cover Artist for the Key to the Door Illustrated — winter edition magazine (Pub. Work)
* 2002 — Sturgeon Around the Bay — Invited Artist for the first annual charity fundraiser (P.W.)
* 2001 — Emerging Artist Grant — Invited Artist (one of six) First Annual Emerging Artist Peninsula Art School, Fish Creek
Aaron is also a seasoned Instructor.
He has taught workshops at numerous locations, notably at the Peninsula Art School of Fish Creek, WI since 2000. Holland also taught regularly at KAFA/Barnsite from 2001 to 2008.
Holland's goals as an instructor and as an artist run parallel, that is: a healthy respect for nature and an observance of fundamental "truths" such as light and atmosphere, shape and value. Holland teaches an academic approach to drawing and painting, and stresses the importance of accurate draughtsmanship, correct color and mixing, calligraphic brushwork, as well as composition.
