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
$4800
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!
Architect of Peace – Abstract forest painting
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Architect of Peace
48 x 60″ mixed media painting on canvas by Holly Van Hart
$7500
Story behind the painting
Trees and forests can be magical, beautiful and mysterious. They captivate me, and have inspired hundreds of landscape paintings.
With Architect of Peace, I want you the viewer to feel intrigued enough to step into the painting. To explore this new world that shimmers with light and colors and peace. Welcome. Enjoy.
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Architect of Peace
48 x 60″ mixed media painting on canvas by Holly Van Hart
Installed
To enquire about this painting, please email holly.vanhart@gmail.com or call 408 309 5564.
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!
Yellow Passage
“Yellow Passage” is meant to convey the majesty and mystery a large mountain range. The size and angular forms of the mountains indicate the majesty, and unusual red and yellow colors add intrigue.
This scene was inspired by my time in the Rocky Mountains a few years ago. I used a photograph as a very loose reference for the shapes of the mountains and the lake, and my imagination for the colors and texture.
This painting is sold and here’s how it looks in its new gorgeous home –

Yellow Passage, Oil painting by Holly Van Hart, installed
Thank you Susan and Steve for placing my artwork in your dining room. I’m honored! Love how you had it framed, and found just the right spot for it.
For more pics of paintings installed in collectors’ homes, 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!! (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. An artist’s dream!
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
Divulging the Secrets
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Divulging the Secrets
32 x 32″ mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart (sold)
Living a life of abundance means so many different things. For me, part of the satisfaction of an abundant life includes sharing with others.
I love it when friends, artists, gallery owners, curators and others share their secrets with me. Even after all these years here on earth, I have plenty to learn about life, love, art & everything!
And I’m happy to divulge my secrets in return. (I’m pretty much an open book, so there really aren’t many secrets. But I’m not a chatty person so you might have to ask me to draw them out.)
‘Divulging the Secrets’ is a celebration of sharing!
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Divulging the Secrets
32 x 32″ mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart
This painting is sold, but you can see available forest, flower, and landscape paintings here. (Also, you can check out the try-before-you-buy program, and purchase info.)
To see more flower paintings and read more about their inspirations, click here.
What’s your favorite color? (video)
For more videos, click here – http://hollyvanhart.com/YouTube-Videos
Adding some sparkle to your day!
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Winter Sparkle
30 x 40″ mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart (sold)
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Winter Sparkle
30 x 40″ mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart
My intent for Winter Sparkle was to create a winter scene that draws you in.
The sky had to be sparkly, and give the effect of light shimmering through the trees. (Turns out this required about 20 layers of light blue, yellow and pink paints.)
I wanted the path to be inviting.
The painting was intended to give the feeling of one of those cold, wintry days that makes you feel so alive!
This painting is inspired by the same forest as my painting entitled Summer Sparkle. Same forest, different season. To see the latest spring, summer, fall, and winter forest paintings, click here.
To see all available paintings, click here.
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.
Totally cool story about ‘Two Left Hands’
‘Two Left Hands’, from my Rodin series, was just purchased by my new friend Elisa. Elisa saw this painting and decided to buy it immediately; she has a totally cool story behind the decision.
When Elisa was growing up, her Mom took her many many times to the Rodin Sculpture Garden at Stanford University. If you haven’t been there yet, it is an amazing place to visit, day or evening or night.
Her Mom loved (and still loves) to look at the hands of the sculptures. Rodin created his sculptures with extra large hands, and they reminded her of her father’s hands, which were also extra-large. He was a professional hall-of-fame football player.
Elisa saw an image of this painting on my phone, and I mentioned the title was ‘Two Left Hands’. On the spot, she bought it as a gift for her Mom. (Oh, did I mention that her Mom is left handed?)
So many coincidences! Thank you, Elisa, for sharing your totally cool story with us.
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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Can you feel the ocean breeze?

Palm Winds
30″ x 40″ oil painting by Holly Van Hart (sold)
Welcome to the tropics!
As you view “Palm Winds”, can you feel the warm wind on your skin? This painting is meant to instill a feeling of peacefulness from the beauty of the trees, sea, and sky. The empty picnic tables are inviting you to sit down and have a meal. It is a hot day, and the wind is offsetting the tropical heat.
The inspiration for this painting draws on my travels to Tahiti, Thailand, Costa Rica and other places of tropical awesomeness. In addition, it was inspired by an amazing photo taken by my friend Veronique Gillard. (Thank you Veronique!)

Palm Winds
Side view
30″ x 40″ oil painting by Holly Van Hart
This painting is sold. For available paintings, click here.
Originally published in 2013, and just updated
Free eBook!
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inspiring art and ideas.
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Summer’s Lavish Brush – field of flowers inspired by color
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Summer’s Lavish Brush
28 x 36″ mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart
$3,200
Story behind the painting
Here are some pics of Summer’s Lavish Brush in the making –
- Fresh start, with lots of blues.
- Deciding what to do next
- The painting gets continued around the sides of the canvas.
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Done!
Summer’s Lavish Brush
28 x 36″ mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart
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Summer’s Lavish Brush
28 x 36″ mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart
To inquire about this painting, email holly.vanhart@gmail.com.
White roses and school soccer
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Threshold of Miracles
20 x 40″ oil painting by Holly Van Hart
$2700
Story behind the painting
What do school soccer and ‘Threshold of Miracles’ have in common?
Inspiration is everywhere!
The inspiration for this painting was a big bush of white roses planted at a local high school. The roses were brilliantly lit in the afternoon sun. I noticed them during the half-time break from my son’s soccer game, and couldn’t resist snapping a bunch of photos.
Using my computer, I tried a few combinations of photos until one stood out as the best design. Then I set to work in my studio with paints and brushes and lots of excitement!
This painting is called ‘Threshold of Miracles’. It symbolizes all the amazing things we can do with our lives (and the miracles we can create) when we keep our eyes open.
Wishing you lots of sunshine and miracles in your life!
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Threshold of Miracles
20 x 40″ oil painting by Holly Van Hart
Purchase original painting
Buy a print
This painting is hanging in my home, but it could be hanging in yours!
New sunflower painting, Embracing It All
Sometimes we have to make choices in life . . . it’s this OR that. Here OR there. Tomorrow OR next week.
And sometimes we can do both! This AND that. Here AND there. Tomorrow AND next week. That’s called ‘Embracing It All’ –
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Embracing It All
48 x 36″ mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart
$4800
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Embracing It All
48 x 36″ mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart
To purchase, email holly.vanhart@gmail.com
Purchase info here
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Embracing It All, Anonymous for a Little While, Secrets Within, and Vibrations of Time
Mixed media paintings by Holly Van Hart
Embracing It All is currently hanging in my living room. But it could be hanging in yours! Email holly.vanhart@gmail.com for details
New Abstract Landscape painting – Magnetic Dreams
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Magnetic Dreams
48 x 60″ mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart
With Magnetic Dreams, I was aiming for a moody painting. The scene is imagined, drawn from a love of the ocean and memories of many captivating ferry rides.
The calm of the quiet mountains is juxtaposed with the energy of the watercolor techniques and drips. (This is a mixed media painting on canvas, using acrylic paints, but painted with watercolor techniques.)
Here are some detail pics –
- Magnetic Dreams, detail of painting by Holly Van Hart (upper left)
- Magnetic Dreams, detail of painting by Holly Van Hart (lower middle)
- Magnetic Dreams, detail of painting by Holly Van Hart (lower right)
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Magnetic Dreams
48 x 60″ mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart
$7500
Story behind the painting (with detail pics)
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Magnetic Dreams
48 x 60″ mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart
Currently hanging in my home, but it could be hanging in yours 🙂
To purchase, email holly.vanhart@gmail.com. Free shipping in the US for VIP members.
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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! Learn more
Loaded with lush flowers
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Possibilities in Full Bloom
30 x 40 oil painting by Holly Van Hart
‘Possibilities in Full Bloom’ is meant to convey the idea that life is chock full with possibilities. The eggs in the nest are radiating warmth, and the magnolia tree is loaded with lush flowers. Life abounds!
This painting was fun to create for many reasons. One of my favorite parts was leaving the underlying red color and texture showing through in many places. (Can you see this? Click on the image to see a larger version.) To me, this gives the work a fresh feel.
In case you’re wondering . . . click here to read “What’s up with all the nests?”
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.
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.
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.
Abundant Possibilities

Abundance
30 x 40″ oil painting by Holly Van Hart (sold)
Buy a print
Abundance is part of my Possibilities series that includes nests and eggs as the subject. This painting signifies the abundant possibilities that are available to the little lives that are in this very full nest.
The calm of the surface of the eggs is offset by the variety of colors and complicated weaving of the nest. This contrast reflects the reality of our lives, which are often some combination of calm, colorful, and complicated.
Like most of my work, Abundance was built up using multiple layers of oil paints. The layers give a special glow to the eggs, and extra texture and depth to the nest.
This painting is sold, but you can buy a print here.
Originally published in 2013 and recently updated to include information on prints
Why do we love birch trees so much?
Do you love birch and aspen trees as much as I do? These days, I’m happily immersed in autumnal birch tree forests.
Here are some details from my in-progress painting, Autumn Dance (48 x 36″) –

There’s something about them that seems to be universally appealing. For one thing, they are so gorgeous.
Birch and aspens look very similar to each other, so I had to look up what the differences are. If you’re curious, here are the highlights –
- Birch are famous for having bark that peels back like paper; aspen bark does not peel.
- Birch trees grow in the eastern US and Canada, while Aspens are found all over North America, Europe and Russia.
- And, amazingly . . . each ‘colony’ of aspen trees actually shares a single large root system. The root system can be huge, covering multiple acres, and can be thousands of years old. As old trees die off, the root system sends up new trunks. Incredible!How about you . . . what are your favorite trees?
btw, here’s the completed painting –
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Autumn Dance
48 x 36″ mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart (sold)
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Autumn Dance
48 x 36″ mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart
And here’s the completed painting hanging on my living room wall (left) –

‘Autumn Dance’ ‘Summer Sparkle’ and ‘Amid the Scent of Roses’
This painting is sold. To see all available paintings, click here.
Art achievement award from the National Association of Pen Women
February 1, 2020 –
Today I was just awarded a prestigious art achievement award from the National Association of Pen Women. Feeling so very honored!!

At the Celebrity Luncheon for the National League of American Pen Women, about to receive the arts achievement award. (Thanks to Patricia Dennis for the photo.)
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.
Circling of the Seasons
Hi there! Here’s one of my latest forest paintings (and the first one completed in a square format) . . .

Circling of the Seasons
48 x 48″ mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart (sold)
For available forest paintings, click here
Want to see how this painting was made? Here are some pics . . .
- So excited to start a new painting! The colors changed a lot as the painting progressed.
- Blue trunks?!
- Trying out a huge brush for the leaves
- Love these colors, but decided they were screaming too loud and needed to be muted.
- In this step, I muted the colors quite a bit.
- Finishing touches!
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Circling of the Seasons
48 x 48″ mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart (sold)
To see available paintings, click here
And, in video . . .
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Circling of the Seasons hanging in my living room.
48 x 48″ mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart (sold)
For available forest paintings, click here
For more info, check these out –
* Try before you buy program
* Come for a studio visit
* Info on purchasing
To purchase, email holly.vanhart@gmail.com.
Want to see more in-progress paintings? Check out these videos http://hollyvanhart.com/youtube-videos
Thanks for being here!