Stephen Holland

Stephen Holland grew up in New York City in the 1960’s and has been living in Southern California for the last three decades. Stephen Holland began drawing as soon as he could hold a pencil; Stephen's abilities actually blossomed while attending a special high school, which devoted half of each day to art studies. He later attended the Art Students League, the School of Visual Arts and Pratt Institute, all in New York City.

Holland's talent and contributions to art and sports received national recognition in 1993, when the American Sport Art Museum awarded him the honor of Sports Artist of the Year. Other honors include being the Official Artist of the Los Angeles Dodger’s, Los Angeles King’s and being one of the twelve artists selected by the United States Olympic Committee to represent the 100th Anniversary of the Olympics. His work is found in the collections of celebrities, athletes, and private collectors around the globe.

Stephen Holland begins by thoroughly researching his chosen subject and looking at hundreds of photographs. Then he moves to the canvas, depicting the quintessential moment of dramatic action that defines the athlete or performer. The background is kept loose and almost graffiti-like. Acrylics and spray paint are the dominant mediums, with additional elements like pencil, crayon and even dirt occasionally employed. Stephen Holland has created a style perfectly suited for his intense, gritty, in-your-face subject matter. “It’s not so much about the rendering but about the form, shapes and colors,” says the artist. “That’s what makes it rich and delicious for me.”