Holli Harmon

Portraits in 3 Media

2011-06-25T13:11:00.000-07:00

This project has grown and has a life of its own. I recently returned to interview Lyndal Laughrin and David Dewey on Santa Cruz Island. I learned so much about conservation and the multiple skills required to live on an island. I am working hard to do justice to these interesting people.

Soon I will be posting small videos about the following people and their individual cultures:

Elizabeth Poett- San Julian Ranch

Richard and Thekla Sanford- Alma Rosa Winery

Reynolds Yater- Yater Surfboards

Mike Lopez- Santa Ynez Chumash Casino and Resort

Geneveva Gonzalez-Mexican-American immigrant

Lyndal Laughrin,Ph.D- UC Reserve Director, Santa Cruz Island

Dave Dewey-Facilities Manager, The Nature Conservancy Santa Cruz Island

Shuji Nakamura-Inventor of the Blue LED Light, UCSB

Remember, I am using 3 mediums to create the portraits of people who represent a cultural influence. Each of the 3 mediums has unique qualities to make an interactive experience with you, the audience.

The first medium is portrait painting. It is the most traditional and oldest method. It requires that I commit to one important image that captures the essence of the person being painted. I am using skills that have been passed down through hundreds of years to create a 3 dimensional image by hand on a 2 dimensional surface. As the audience, you have a contemplative, quiet experience.

Secondly, there is videography. This is the medium of this century. It gives us sound and motion and multiple images. It allows my subjects to speak and share their story. You can see their mannerisms and hear the inflections in their voice. In addition, you can see the portrait being made through time-lapse photography and video.

The third medium is social media. It is a fast growing technology that gives us a platform to connect as subject, audience and artist. Not only can you see and experience the work, but you can interact and influence the project. You can access this work through a website and Facebook.

I want your recommendations of people who should be interviewed and painted. You can respond with posts and emails to the dialogue created from the video interviews. You can also share the information by sending it on to your social network or using it to educate others about our diverse community.

Ultimately, we have a stronger community when we understand and appreciate ourselves and the

A New Project Begins-California Culture Meets Facebook

2011-03-07T20:58:00.000-08:00

A new project begins... I am painting the faces of California. More specifically, I am painting the unique cultures that influence us and make us who we are today in the new millennium. The idea has been so intriguing that there will be a corresponding mini-documentary video that will accompany each portrait. The subject can then tell you in his or her own words, what their culture is all about. And the best part is you get to follow the journey via email, Facebook, my blog/website until I get the portraits finished and have a show.

This is a collaborative project with my community. Who do you think is culturally innovative in our area and needs to be included in this exciting project? The more input I receive the better overall slice of our extraordinary community will be represented. So far Ron Heller suggested Mike Lopez, Chairman of the Gaming Commission at the Chumash casino, Jean Paul Garcia suggested Renny Yater of Yater Surf Boards, Elizabeth Poett (Rancho San Julian Beef) suggested Richard and Thekla Sanford of Alma Rosa Winery, etc.. And the list goes on. I look forward to hearing from you.

For more information:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jjY0mE6EAY

Winter in Santa Barbara

2011-03-07T20:55:00.001-08:00

Well, summer has finally arrived. Only 6 months behind schedule, but I will soak it up whenever it shows up! I’ve been taking advantage of our great weather in January and February, painting outdoors, on the islands, at low tides and under full moons. It’s always a great day if I get to paint.

Il Fustino

2011-03-07T20:50:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite local finds is Il Fustino, the best olive oil and vinegar store in town.!

The are located on upper State, a few doors down from the post office.

I have some interesting pieces of art featuring fresh produce. Drop in and say hi! Let them know that Holli sent you!!!

Santa Cruz Island...

2010-08-22T07:38:00.000-07:00

After spending oodles of days in the studio working with great models , it was time for an outdoor adventure. Landscape painting uses a different set of observational skills and requires time away from home and studio. After months of zooming in on my subjects, I am looking out toward majestic and massive terrain.

This trip was exceptional. The fog that was haunting our summer finally lifted. I was without cell phone and email for 4 days (ahhhh!) and explored to my hearts content. I filled my sketchbook and now want to get started on some new work!

Winter in the Studio

2010-02-06T17:38:00.000-08:00

There are seasons in my studio workshop. When the weather is unpredictable and rainy, it is the season to set up great life drawing sessions with beautiful models. A group of artists converge and we set up the model stand and lighting. The music plays in the background while we make our initial marks. I'm always startled when the timer rings so the model (and painters) can take a break. There are few things that hold my attention so intensely that 30 minutes can seem like a minute. The morning will fly into noon and we all are surprised that the time has passed. I am tired, but immensely grateful to have spent 3 hours painting. It takes over 10,000 hours of practice to become a master. Let's see....7,687 minus 3 equals....

Persimmons!

2009-11-19T18:54:00.000-08:00

We had a persimmon tree when I grew up. My grandmother would make persimmon cookies. These always are the sign post that we are deep into our fall season. They are the most intriguing rich dark shade of orange, bordering red. They glow from within when they are perfectly ripe.

I hosted a wonderful workshop with Ric Dentinger (www.ricdentinger.com) this month and we ended up painting these beautiful persimmons. I enjoyed painting them so much in watercolor that I painted them over and over in oil. Chris Chapman brought a lovely botanical persimmon soap for me that she made herself and has used her extraordinary botanical illustrations as the graphic design (www.chrischapmanfineart.com). I used some of my Fuji persimmons in a stir fry for dinner. Yum! I think I've done a fine job immersing myself in this luscious fall fruit.

Fall has arrived

2009-10-19T15:36:00.000-07:00

I have had so much fun carving these woodblocks for print making. Very therapeutic. I recommend it to everyone. I will post a few images. You will see my inspirations are images I can see outside the barn windows where I work.

GO FOR IT!

2009-09-14T17:24:00.000-07:00

This painting has been ruminating in my brain and I finally put it to canvas. The title is so appropriate. A good message to self.

And I was awarded First Place at the Semana Nautica Art Show in July! Yea!

So, I'm telling myself to Go For It! Let's see what happens.

PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD

2009-09-02T20:42:00.000-07:00

THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR VOTES!

I was flattered to receive second place for the PEOPLE'S CHOICE in JUNE from the Goleta Valley Art Association Show.

I've been a tardy blogger!

2009-08-25T15:21:00.000-07:00

I've been really slow to blog, but I am determined to keep a record of my intentions with all my art work and the rest of my shenanigans.

These are some lovely shades of purple found in a variety of eggplants. These always end up on our grill for dinner....Nothing better than grilled eggplant!

Eat your Carrots!

2009-06-01T21:42:00.000-07:00

I've had a lot of carrots in my vegetable box! Are they ever out of season?

2009-05-25T16:34:00.000-07:00

Here is an entry from my watercolor journal of Saba Rock and the Bitter End Yacht Club. It was relatively calm one afternoon in the anchorage and I was able to sketch from the bow of the boat.

I've been to the BITTER END!!!

2009-05-19T20:14:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delayed pause. However, I went on a field trip to find new material in order to create more art. It is a necessity in this discipline. Fortunately, I have wonderful friends who have wonderful adventures and they invited Terry (hubby) and I to join them on a journey to the BITTER END!...that's the Bitter End, in the British Virgin Islands and numerous other island hops on their Catana 471 cruising catamaran. ( You can see it all at http://www.greenflashcharters.com/

I've learned it is very hard to paint with a tiny watercolor set on a rocking boat...but I promise to post some images from my watercolor journal. Fodder for a really cold and rainy month (if we are lucky here in Santa Barbara !). I can crank up some reggae and paint turquoise water and recall the "Last Resort" at the Bitter End.

What is inspiring me?

2009-02-25T20:00:00.000-08:00

Lately, I have been inspired by my fruits and vegetables. I am diligently working on 5 servings a day, for myself, and family, so a lot of produce is passing through my home. I have recently signed up for a service from http://www.plowtoporch.com/ ( look for their link on my blog). They deliver what is in season and locally grown to my porch every Tuesday. So I am trying to paint something really fresh in my studio workshop every week, my crazy schedule permitting.

2009-02-12T20:49:00.000-08:00

Oh, I am so much better with paint than I am with words...but writing about what I am painting and why I am painting will be a great exercise.

What is most important, is that I love to paint. I look forward to it everyday. I am dissappointed if I don't get to paint and rarely do I ever get enough time to paint. A good day is when I am tired of painting and I need a break.