Aaron Holland Fine Art

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

-Elizabeth Barret Browning (To her husband Robert Browning)

Grow old along with me!

The best is yet to be,

The Last of Life, for which the first was made:

Our times are in His hand.
Robert Browning

HOLLAND- oil on canvas, 20" dia. -sold-

Almost December...

The weathered dock looks out past the headlands to Lake Michigan. Icy cold turquoise waters, and a sharp wind are boon companions.

The old fishing tugs now sit in a permanant wet-dock, held fast with a rough hemp line. They have served their tour of duty. They have earned their rest. Gone, but not forgotten. I find myself reflecting on these worthy vessels and their modest legacy... and their precious cargo.

The artist is not so far removed from the storm-toughened fisherman. Both are seemingly worlds away from the Wall Street Journal and microwave popcorn, and both seem slightly out of step today. What shall become of the fisherman who casts his net upon the waters?

And so I naturally find that though the fisherman may never buy a painting or ever be truly moved by one in his entire lifetime...I find myself in sympathy with him because he and I are a alike, you see.

The Barn Star originated within the German farming community, although locally it is referred to as the Belgian Star, or sometimes called a Gable Star.

In this barn, it is visible in the in the uppermost gable window.

Some farmers consider the stars good luck, like a horseshoe hung above a doorway, while others view them simply as decorative. Each barnstar is unique in appearance, and often represents the trademark of the builder who constructed the barn.

"The Belgian Star" oil on linen, 9 x 12"- HOLLAND 2007

Life is about relationships.

One reason I love to sketch the landscape on location (and there are many), is that it offers the opportunity to meet new and interesting people, in new and interesting environments!

While I was painting this boat several people walked by and greeted me and my painting buddy- and scrutinized our works. One of the couples I met that day were owners of a boat very similar to this. I learned this type of boat is a Nordic Tug. The design is loosely based on the Tug Boat. It was initially designed, according to the owners, for travel between the Puget Sound in Washington,and Northern Alaska. It is commonly called a Long Distance Cruiser (L.D. Cruiser), and runs on diesel.

The harbor where we painted hosts an entire community of boaters who, at the time, were living on their boats. It felt to me a little like a block party with great scenery.