Hank Holland~ Art Showing

Yesterday afternoon we hosted an art showing at our home for Hank Holland.  Once he had his art work on display our yard felt like we were in Jackson Square.  He is an amazing artist with quite a story to tell.    If you do not know him as a friend and an artist you are missing out.  Check out his work.  I promise you will fall in love with his art and will quickly become addicted...

      

Circle of Life series

Revival series on an old metal chair

Circle of life/Juke joint series

Treehouse series

Juke Joint~ SOLD to Big Poppa and MiMi Kat

Hank doing what he does best.  Talking about his artwork and telling stories...

http://www.facebook.com/pages/BABY-JANE-STUDIOS-LOUISIANA-ARTIST-HANK-HOLLAND/354173300327

Art Critic

Today I picked up another painting by Hank Holland.  In a previous post I wrote a little about Hank and my love of his art.  Today I had the pleasure of spending a little time with his wife Maria.  I was humbled by her presence.  Maria, much like Hank, is such a joy and inspiration.  We plan to have lunch together soon.

I was over the top excited about my new tree house appropriately titled "Bunch of Nuts" and could not wait to see it on the wall.  I don't have a permanent home for this beauty yet, but it is hanging out in the keeping room until we decide.

As soon as Griffin walked in the door he was drawn to the painting.  He squealed in delight and said, "Wow... Mommy dats bootiful."  That comment blew me away for a couple of reasons.

1. I did not know that he had the word "beautiful" in his vocabulary.
2. I have never heard the word beautiful applied so perfectly and in context.  Indeed, it is beautiful!

Thanks to Hank for helping to make our home so bright and cheery one wall at a time...

 How adorable is this?!?

Griff~ the little art critic

 Deep thoughts while admiring the composition

of "Bunch of Nuts."

Without even being told about the tree house and outhouse symbolism

he went in to touch.  This art is so powerful and fueled 

by heart, love, and emotion.

Hank.... you have the smile "Seal of Approval"

Griff~ the 3 year old art critic

I will be hosting a showing of Hank's work at our home in a couple of weeks.  If anyone is interested in joining us just let me know.  

http://www.hankhollandfolkart.com/

Marriage Tree

One night it was late and I found myself chasing some sort of rabbit trail online.  Hours later I happened across a guy that I once knew.  His name is Hank Holland and we grew up in the same small town.  I was looking at some of his painting and at that very moment I knew that I just had to have many one.

A few days later I went to his studio and spent the afternoon with him.  He has such a warm nature and positive attitude and outlook on life.  His eyes are kind and he is very interesting to to talk to.  We chatted a bit and he told me his story as he proudly showed his art work on display.  He told me that three years ago for the first time in his life he picked up a paintbrush and has been painting ever since.  He has never taken a formal art class.  He is a self-taught artist... just like his mother was.  

As we walked around he told me the story behind several of his paintings.  I was immediately drawn to his tree houses.  You see Hank was born with Cerebral Palsy.  As we all know that kids can be cruel and life is not fair.  As a child he did not have many friends.  His father built him a tree house in the back yard and that is where he spent most of his time.  Up high above it all... in his tree house.

Hank told me that one night he woke up about 2:30 in the morning with the idea to paint tree houses.  After learning the story of the tree house I knew that I wanted one of my own.  He then took it a step further.  He told me about his Marriage Trees.  I then realized that the Marriage Tree would be the PERFECT 5 year wedding anniversary gift for my loving husband.  Our very own commissioned Marriage Tree.    

Andrea, Hank Holland, and the Marriage Tree

And here it is.... I adore our new painting.  Hank was kind enough to drop it off to our house today.  I am so proud to display this piece of art.  It is so very special to me.  This is the way that he described it.  Here is your Marriage Tree with a strong and sold base that is rooted deep.  In the center you have a whole lot of love.  In every marriage you also have to have faith, trust, prayer, forgiveness, and patience.  He included Kenton pushing me on the swing with our two boys playing in the tree.  He also has both of our names carved into the tree along with our wedding date.  Wow....  

In the tree we also have a tree house.  He told me that on all of his tree house paintings he also includes an outhouse.  He said that is where you go to unload all of your "crap."  Hank said that every morning before starting his day he walks up to one of his treehouse paintings and touches the outhouse.  He releases all of the "crap" in order to focus on the good.  I plan to do the same... 

I was so excited about my 5 year anniversary gift to Satch that I COULD not wait until our actual anniversary in April.  As a matter of fact I could barely wait for him to get home TODAY to show him.  I gave it to him as an early Valentine/ 5 year anniversary gift.  The added bonus is it is displayed in our house so I can enjoy it everyday...

Happy EARLY anniversary to my wonderful husband.

The proud new owners of a Hank Holland original.

I plan to host a showing at my house with Hank and some of his work.  If anyone would like to come over and see his work and meet a man with an incredible story.  Just let me know!

Hank Holland- Baby Jane Studios