😍  What fascinates you?   😍
Hello, my fearless friend.
What things in life fascinate you? What do you really love?
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High school starts this week for our sons, so we did some family outings to San Francisco and Santa Cruz. This is us as we walked over the Golden Gate bridge, through a thick fog bank. I really love spending time with these 3 men! (That’s Erik on the left, and Ike on the right. Skyler snapped the photo.) |
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Other landscape paintings are still available. Would you like to see them? Click here – |
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OK, my most amazing friend . . . three cheers to you for following your fascinations! |
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P.S. Into forests or flowers instead? |
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btw, if this email was forwarded to you, and you’d like to get on my VIP list to receive future emails (one every 3 weeks), click here. |
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Running Free
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Running Free
48 x 48 ” mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart (Sold)
See available forest paintings here
Do you ever feel like leaving all your obligations and routines behind (at least for an hour or two, or a week or two)? Do you feel like running free?
I’d like viewers to look at this painting and get that exact feeling. To get lost in the forest and the light, and to feel completely unencumbered.
Ready?
If you’d like to see some in-progress pics of this painting, here you go –
Running Free is sold, but you can <a href=”https:///available-paintings/#forest-paintings” target=”_blank”>see available forest paintings here</a>.
Want to be the first to see new paintings as they are released? Become a VIP! Click for details.
Nestled close to our loved ones
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Nestled
30 x 40 oil painting by Holly Van Hart
Nestled is about the warm feelings of being nestled close to our loved ones. The variety of the twigs and branches in the nest symbolize the variety of personalities and habits and desires we have within our own families. They are all intertwined.
When you click on the image to get a larger view, you can see some of the texture that underlies this painting. This is meant to convey the complexity and nuances of the interactions in our families, oftentimes unseen to the outside world.
This painting is sold, but prints are available here.
Originally published in 2013, and updated with info on prints
New – Cocktail paired with a Painting!
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The Boundary of Spring
48 x 36″ oil painting on canvas by Holly Van Hart (sold)
Story behind the painting (with in progress pics)
For a holiday party, I paired a painting with a custom cocktail. ‘The Boundary of Spring’ (above) was paired with a cocktail I named ‘Spring-tini’.
Here’s the recipe –
2 ounces vodka
1 ounce pear juice
1 ounce rosemary syrup (I used rosemary from our front garden)
A squeeze of fresh lemon (we picked the lemons from trees in our back yard)
Rosemary sprig, for garnish
Why Spring-tini is paired with The Boundary of Spring
The Spring-tini cocktail has pear juice. Pear is a soft flavor; it is analogous to the soft sky in the painting.
Rosemary has a tea-like aroma and an assertive piney flavor; it is analogous to the stronger color of the green/brown ground in the painting.
Vodka is a subtle but absolutely necessary component of this drink. Similarly, the texture in the painting is both subtle and absolutely necessary to the success of the painting.
Enjoy!
Birch Trees in the Fall

Autumn Gold
24 x 18 oil painting by Holly Van Hart
In the heat of the summer, I was dreaming about the crisp fall days of my favorite season. So here’s ‘Autumn Gold’.
Who doesn’t love the colors of fall leaves? The variety and brilliance are an artist’s dream!
To see more abstract forest paintings, click here.
Let’s stay in touch! Â Learn more
Abstract forest painting – Wandering in Wonder
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Wandering in Wonder
48 x 60″ mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart (sold)
Does ‘Wandering in Wonder’ make you want to wander through this forest? And take in the wonder of nature and life? Hope so!
Here’s how this painting looks in a living room –
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Three abstracted forest paintings by Holly Van Hart
From left to right, Woodland Symphony, Wandering in Wonder, Grand Escape
Wandering in Wonder is sold, but you can see available forest, flower, landscape, and nest paintings here.
More info here –
Studio visit
Purchase details
Try Before You Buy program
Questions? Email holly.vanhart@gmail.com.
Thanks for your interest!
Secrets Within
Here’s one of my latest abstracted forest paintings . . .
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The Secrets Within
40 x 30″ mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart
$3800
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The Secrets Within
Mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart
Secrets Within is currently available. Would you like to see more? Please email holly.vanhart@gmail.com to inquire about delivery (free in the continental US) or to arrange a studio visit.
Why do you paint so many aspens & birches? (video)
Click for more videos – https://hollyvanhart.com/YouTube-Videos
Have you ever tried meditation?
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Alternate Reality
30 x 40 oil painting by Holly Van Hart
Have you ever tried meditation?
I’ve tried it multiple times, including a 2-day class in Indonesia, but failed miserably each time. I can’t calm my mind in that way.
On the other hand, the act of painting has a meditative quality to it that I love.
Painting can completely absorb me and transport me to a different place.
My paintings often go through a bunch of twists and turns before they are done. Â Sometimes, by the end of all that, I don’t quite remember how things progressed along the way.
‘Alternate Reality’ (shown above) was a painting that was totally absorbed me like that.
It felt so refreshing. Lucky me.
Do you have a meditation practice, activity, hobby or job like that? Â If so, lucky you!
Springing to Life!
‘Springing’ got its name because (to me) it looks like the whole painting is springing to life. Â A nest with 3 eggs, a tree with dozens of red flower buds, and sweeping textures are all combined to give the painting a certain energy and vivaciousness.
This painting now resides in a beautiful home in the UK. To see available paintings, click here.
btw, if you’re wondering ‘What’s up with all the nests?’, click here.
New Tree Painting – Standing tall
Trees can have a commanding presence, especially when they are tall. Do you love being surrounded by towering forest? I do!
I aimed to capture that feeling here with my new tree painting, Standing Tall –
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Standing Tall
48 x 48″ mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart
Available through GP Deva Gallery. Contact Iris Shih, helloiris@gpdeva.com
Here are some in-progress pics for this painting –
- The first step was to loosely paint very tall tree trunks. Next, I started adding leaves (upper right).
- Next, I painted the leaves, and the shadows on the ground.
- Studying what to do next. I decided to brighten up the leaves in the foreground, and add more colorful leaves in the background (using heavier texture).
Here’s the finished painting –
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Standing Tall
48 x 48″ mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart
Available through GP Deva Gallery. Contact Iris Shih, helloiris@gpdeva.com
Want to be the 1st to see pre-release paintings? Click here to become a VIP member.
New! Petite Treasures
The holidays are almost here. Need a special gift for your special someone?
New! Petite Treasures are gift-sized original paintings by yours truly. They are created with the same great care used with my large-scale paintings, and with the highest quality archival materials. Each painting is museum-quality and ready to hang in the finest of homes and work spaces.
Click to see all available Petite Treasures
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Magical Mystery Tour
9 x 12″ watercolor painting on paper by Holly Van Hart
$350
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Curious Poses
9 x 12″ watercolor painting on paper by Holly Van Hart
$350
Treat yourself or a loved one! Click to see all available Petite Treasures.
Additional info here –  Purchase / Guarantee / Gift Certificates, Petite Treasures, Try Before You Buy,  Studio Visit
The Boundary of Spring
One of my recent paintings took an imaginative and unexpected turn. It started out as one thing, but ended up as something else entirely!

I started this painting thinking it would be an abstracted forest. Once the sky was painted, I was going to let it dry before working on the trees and leaves.

But . . . I was really digging the colors and simplicity of this first layer of paint, and decided to go in a different direction.

The painting would be an abstract landscape. It would need many more layers to give it the depth and glow I was seeking.
And here’s the finished painting . . .
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The Boundary of Spring
48 x 36″ oil painting on canvas by Holly Van Hart (sold)
Story behind the painting (with in progress pics)
What does this painting make you think of? I’ve heard many different interpretations from friends and other studio vistors!

The Boundary of Spring
48 x 36″ oil and acrylic painting by Holly Van Hart
$4800
Currently hanging in my entryway, but it could be hanging in yours!
More info
* For purchase info, click here.
* Questions? Interested in owning this painting? Please contact holly.vanhart@gmail.com or 650 646 5590. Your email or call is always welcome.
* See this painting in person with a studio visit or with the try-out program.
Wishing you a fabulous day!

Soft Start
Oil painting by Holly Van Hart (sold)
Buy a print
Wishing that your day will be as full of exciting possibilities . . .
as the eggs being incubated in this cozy feathered nest.
(Do any birds’ nests actually look like this? Well, yes, kind of . . . learn more here.
Holly
P.S. Soft Start was featured in my solo exhibition at the Triton Museum of Art. Â Would you like to know more about the show? You’re invited to read my interview in the Huffington Post, or to view the pics and videos from the museum exhibition.
What’s the meaning of this painting?
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Forest Reverie
48 x 36 oil painting by Holly Van Hart
I am inspired by life’s limitless possibilities, and my abstract nature paintings are meant to spark new excitement about reaching our biggest, boldest dreams.
This latest painting ‘Forest Reverie’ represents the beginning of a new year or a new season. Colorful opportunities sparkle all around us, and beckon us to reach them. Will we pick the closest, easiest one, or will we stretch further to find our passion?
Let’s stay in touch! Â Learn more
This blog post is the latest addition to my ‘Top 50 Questions’ list. Â See/read more here.
Embracing the Light
Here’s my latest abstracted forest painting –

Embracing the Light
48 x 60″ mixed media painting on canvas by Holly Van Hart
$7,500
This pic shows Embracing the Light installed (center) –

Abstracted forest paintings by Holly Van Hart
Woodland Symphony, Embracing the Light, Autumn Dance, and The Stories They Tell
Please contact holly.vanhart@gmail.com or 650 646 5590 for availability and pricing. Your email or call is welcome any time.
What’s the best thing about being an artist?

Meet Diane F
Adventurer, Mom, Retired Sales Executive
A collector of my art, and now a friend
What’s the favorite part of your job? Whether you’re a banker, lawyer, stay-at-home parent, or an artist, we all have something we love most about our jobs.
The favorite part of my job is . . . you!
Really. The absolute best part of being an artist is that it gives me an excuse to get to know you better. I feel honored to know you, and to keep in touch with you.
(Plus, as you may have guessed, I love playing around with gorgeous, buttery oil paints all day long.)
So, today I’m featuring Diane F, a fascinating and accomplished woman, a collector of my art, and now a friend.
Here are some of the many things that are totally cool about Diane –
- As a sales exec in the electronics industry, Diane aimed to retire by the age of 45 and succeeded.
- Last year, Diane became a Mom of an amazingly adorable son.
- She holds a Masters degree in Computer Education
- While in college, Diane led a group of 50 teenagers on a bus tour across the US.
- As a world traveler and adventurer, she has (in her words) “seen half the world, and still has half to go”.
Diane recently remodeled her home, and commissioned me to make a painting for her spacious living room. In honor of Diane’s cool accomplishments, the painting is named ‘Dreams within Reach’.
Video – The making of Diane F’s custom painting
(Link to all videos on Holly’s YouTube video channel)
It’s a privilege to know you Diane!!!
Woodland Symphony
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Woodland Symphony
60 x 40″ oil and acrylic painting by Holly Van Hart
$6500
Story behind the painting and in progress pics
You know that sense of grandeur we get when surrounded by a beautiful forest? That’s what I was aiming to capture with this painting, Woodland Symphony.
When giving this painting its name, the word ‘symphony’ came to mind. In a great symphony, all the musical notes work together in intriguingly complex and beautiful ways. In a painting, the color notes have to work together in similarly intriguing ways.
btw, if you’re curious, here are some in-progress pics of Woodland Symphony –

The beginnings of Woodland Symphony

Working on Woodland Symphony (almost as tall as I am)

Sometimes it’s better to work on a painting sideways

Woodland Symphony (left), Wandering in Wonder (center) and The Grand Escape (right), mixed media paintings by HVH. These paintings are currently hanging in my living room, but they could be hanging in yours 🙂
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Woodland Symphony
60 x 40″ oil and acrylic painting by Holly Van Hart
$6500
Story behind the painting and in progress pics
Thanks for stopping by. If you’d like to see more abstracted forest paintings, click here.
For purchase info, email holly.vanhart@gmail.com.
New! A Deep Breath
As you scroll down, you’ll see the progression of a newly released painting called ‘A Deep Breath’.
But first, I’d like to share this quote because captures my inspiration for this painting . . .
“In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect.” — Alice Walker

One cool way to make a perfect, imperfect painting is to rely on lots of drips. That’s what I’ll do here.

The drips can look like trunks, and branches, and, well, drips.
In the art world, when you can clearly see signs that something is a painting (and not a photo and not a photorealistic painting), we call this “painterly”.
This will be painterly.
And (take a deep breath) here’s the finished painting . . .

‘A Deep Breath’ is hanging in my entryway.
It could be hanging in yours!
Purchase info here
To purchase, email holly.vanhart@gmail.com
A Full Life
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A Full Life
30 x 40″ oil painting by Holly Van Hart
$3800
Story behind the painting
The abstract nature paintings you see on this website are inspired by life’s limitless possibilities!
Each painting is meant to convey a sense of plenty, fullness, color, prosperity, and opportunity. Sometimes we have all of these things in our lives. Sometimes we’re only wishing for them.
But it’s always nice to think and dream about them!
‘A Full Life’ is available for purchase (30 x 40″ original oil painting on canvas, painted on the edges, wired on the back, ready to hang, $3800 + tax). For a limited time, shipping is free for VIP members. Contact holly.vanhart@gmail.com for details.
Above All Things
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Above All Things
48 x 48″ mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart (sold)
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Above All Things
48 x 48″ mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart
To live life to the fullest, we’re often told to give the highest value to our relationships. And that things like fancy cars, clothes, homes, TVs, phones, etc give us only very fleeting pleasure.
Do you find this to be true for yourself?
I do, for the most part. Spending time with family and friends is my absolute favorite thing in the world. Hands down. Without question. I value these relationships above all things. (Hence the name of the painting.)
Don’t get me wrong . . . many things give me lasting pleasure too. Mostly visual things. I still love the shape of the wedding ring we picked out over 15 years ago. And the windows in our home that let in lots of light. And some pieces of our furniture. My husband’s garden. The list is very long.
What’s your experience? What do you value ‘above all things’?
To check out more flower paintings and the inspirations behind them, click here.
This painting is sold. To see all available paintings, click here.
Birch Trees in the Fall – ‘Autumn Reds’

Autumn Reds
30 x 24″ oil painting by Holly Van Hart (sold)
Buy a print
Commission a forest painting
The other day, a friend asked why I had started painting birch trees. One reason is that they are so darn gorgeous!! Â (I get reminded of this just about every day, because we have a lot of birch trees here in Saratoga.)
Birch tree trunks are highly textured and have a wide range of values, from white to very very dark in the shadows. And the leaves, in an autumn setting, offer a huge range of warm colors to work with – reds, oranges, yellows, golds. Â An artist’s dream!
Do you dig the warmth of the sun?
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The Grand Escape
30 x 40″ oil and acrylic painting by Holly Van Hart
Sold
To see available forest paintings, click here
If you dig the warmth of the sun (like I do), please step into my forest.
‘The Grand Escape’ is fresh off the easel, not even dry yet!
Additional abstract forest paintings are available for sale here.
In Our Own Dream World
Come along for a walk into my dream world . . .
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In Our Own Dream World
48 x 60″ mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart
$7500
Story behind the painting
In Our Own Dream World is currently available. Free delivery in the continental US.
Would you like to see more? Please email holly.vanhart@gmail.com.
More info here –
Studio visit
Purchase details
Try Before You Buy program
Latest art news – The Two Yvonne’s
Hi there.
Every once in a while in my VIP emails, I feature a collector of my work. Here’s a fun fact. Two collectors of my paintings are both named Yvonne and they are both CEOs of San Francisco-area companies. What a coincidence!
Meet Yvonne Linney –
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Our biggest, boldest dreams
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Dream Field
24 x 30″ oil painting by Holly Van Hart
$2500
The daisies in ‘Dream Field’ represent our dreams, some dreams bigger than others, some growing and developing, others on the decline, and all of them dancing around through the turbulence and beauty that we call life.
Here’s wishing that our biggest, boldest dreams come true!
Paradise Found
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Paradise Found
40 x 30″ mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart
$3800
Here’s a video on the making of Paradise Found –
Questions? Interested in hanging this painting in your home? Contact holly.vanhart@gmail.com. Click here for purchase info.
The Sun’s Warmth – New abstracted forest painting
Like a cat, I love feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin. Do you?
Come step into this sun-soaked forest . . .
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The Sun’s Warmth
36 x 48″ mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart
$4800
Story behind the painting
This painting is hanging in my home, but it could be hanging in yours 🙂
Would you like to see this painting in person? Email me for a studio visit.
To purchase, email holly.vanhart@gmail.com. Free shipping in the continental US.