I love that I live under the path of rockets. Every once in a while, we get to witness evidence of our future by seeing one of these heavenly ships fly into outer space. We live during exciting times. (However, someone probably said the same thing centuries ago when the railroads crossed our continent.)

This is what I KNOW is in store for the year of 2022. I also will keep you posted on all of the surprises that will arrive, as they always do! That makes life exciting. See the details below.

What the Future Holds, 6x12 oil on panel rimmed with copper.

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White Buffalo Land Trust

Ana Smith, White Buffalo Land Trust’s Director of Programs and Engagement, overlooking the Jalama Canyon Ranch.

Jalama Canyon Ranch Artist Residency Begins!

I am thrilled and inspired beyond measure! I've partnered with White Buffalo Land Trust to record the first year and full cycle of seasons at the new Center for Regenerative Agriculture at Jalama Canyon Ranch. This 1,000-acre ranch serves as a living laboratory and education center for regenerative agriculture principles and practices, showcasing various climate-appropriate cropping systems, livestock management systems, and food-based enterprises. In a nutshell, they will be ranching, farming, restoring, reconnecting, and revitalizing the land. Regenerative agriculture leaves the land in better shape so nature and wilderness can thrive.

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Chrisman California Island Center

Full figure portrait of The Lone Woman/ Juana Maria of San Nicolas Island. Painting by Holli Harmon

The large painting for the San Nicolas Island/Lone Woman diorama is installed! It was living with me in my studio for quite awhile last year. I will let you know when the Center opens and is ready for visitors.

The full figure portrait of The Lone Woman a.k.a Juana Maria was based on references of people who actually saw her before she died in Santa Barbara in 1853. Learn more about her amazing life at the Chrisman California Island Center in Carpinteria. Opening 2022.

Best Wishes for 2022!,

Holli Harmon

As we circle around to our fall season, we arrive at Indigenous People’s Day on October 11th. I have learned so much from our native Chumash Bands. They have opened my heart and mind to learning more about all Indigenous populations and they continue to inspire my work.

To be native to a place we must learn to speak its language."
- Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom

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California On My Mind

A show of vintage and contemporary paintings, drawings, and prints that celebrate the history and the mythology of the Golden State.

Sullivan Goss

October 1- November 22, 2021

RECEPTION: 1ST THURSDAY, OCT 7TH | 5-8pm

Before They Came is from my Califia Series and is now on view at Sullivan Goss.

Before They Came, 48x48 oil and cold wax on wood panel rimmed with copper. By Holli Harmon

The bright bold colors invite you into a lush forest scene. The figures hidden within remind you that our State’s native population and Grizzly bears were devastated by the influx of Europeans and the Gold Rush of 1848.

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The Lone Woman

aka Juana Maria or Karana in The Island of the Blue Dolphins

I think she is one of the most significant women in our nation’s history. She lived for over 18 years by herself on San Nicolas Island. When she left the island, she only lived for 7 weeks in Santa Barbara before she died. Her story is a significant portal into our California Indiginous Peoples history starting in public schools 4th grade curriculum, where they read The Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell. Read more here…

This painting was created for the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum using descriptions of people who had seen The Lone Woman first hand in 1853. You can see it at the Chumash Hall at the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum. The larger mural was just finished for the new Chrisman California Island Center in Carpinteria, CA. You can see the canvas in my studio and then installed into the new space in Carpinteria. The diorama isn’t complete yet. They hope to open sometime soon in 2022.

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Portraits of the Central Coast

Our regional Chumash continue to inspire and inform my work. I did these paintings for my Portraits of the Central Coast project. I have included links so that you can hear and read their stories first hand and learn about what inspired their portraits. Just click on their image or name.

Ernestine DeSoto Kathleen Marshall Mike Lopez