Holly Hickman Janssen

A Mother's Day gift for my mom, this is the first piece I did on canvas. I am fairly certain owls are my spirit animal as I have had them show up on occasion and sit in the tree outside my studio window. I thought this a fitting gift for my mom. I am grateful for the wisdom she has passed to me about parenting, life, and humor. 

12'x12"  Mixed Media. (Watercolor, acrylic, and ink on watercolor paper and mounted on vintage book pages and canvas)

I believe the chickadee to be the most joyful of all birds. They sing with clarity and exuberance. They know how to share and take turns. When one visits a feeder, they take their seed to a nearby branch so another can sweep in and grab some seed too. We should all be more like the chickadee. They make my spirit happy.

20"x20"  Mixed Media Mosaic (Torn pieces of magazine pages, acrylic, ink, gelli printing on tissue paper. On watercolor paper and mounted vintage dictionary pages on canvas.)

This is another tribute to the happiest of all birds, the chickadee. 

10"x20" Mixed Media (Acrylic, watercolor, gesso, and ink on watercolor paper on canvas)

So many times in life we feel as though we have been burned and tested by fire. Thankfully, we are able to rise from the ashes only to find ourselves made stronger and more beautiful. 

24"x36"

Mixed Media (Acrylic, watercolor, gesso, ink, spray paint, watercolor crayon on watercolor paper mounted on canvas)

Fish have played an important role in my life. Many important insights have been gained while waiting to have encounters with fish. Although we can't fish for Koi in Montana, I think they are beautiful.

18"x24" Mixed Media (Acrylic, watercolor, gesso, watercolor pencil, ink on watercolor paper on canvas)

Whales take my breath away. I have encountered whales on several trips to Hawaii. Every time I witness one coming out of the ocean, it is a precious gift.  It seems to me, the humpback is the ultimate example of selfless mothering. Each year she migrates thousands of miles to give birth to and nurse her baby in warm waters. While in those warm waters, she does not eat, yet nourishes her child. After mating in the warm waters, she returns north to feed on microscopic krill only to do it again. Selfless wonders. Gentle mothers. Precious gifts to those who see them.

24"x 36" Mixed Media (Watercolor, acrylic, ink, on watercolor paper on canvas.)

Owls have always spoken to my spirit.  Silently watching, listening, and observing, they are nature's sages.

12"x12" Mixed Media (Acrylic, watercolor, gesso, and ink on watercolor paper mounted on canvas)

Owls encourage us to find wisdom in silence. Truly, they are the most meditative of animals. 

15"x30" Mixed Media (Acrylic, watercolor, gesso, ink on watercolor paper on canvas)

Several owls rested in the tree outside my studio while I created the pieces for this show. Although I would like to believe they were encouraging me to access my intuition and wisdom, I am fairly certain they really just wanted to snack on the baby robins nearby. 

12"x12" Mixed Media (Acrylic, watercolor, gesso, ink on watercolor paper mounted on canvas)

Although they are the smallest of the falcons, kestrels encourage us to understand life more deeply. They may be small, but they are fierce. 

12"x12" Mixed Media (Acrylic, watercolor, gesso, ink on watercolor paper,  mounted on a topo map and canvas.)

Heron encourages me to watch for opportunities that present themselves while remaining grounded.

16"x20" Mixed Media (Acrylic, watercolor, gesso, and ink on watercolor paper. Mounted on a topo map of Yellowstone National Park on canvas.)

Although tiny, kestrel falcons are strong animals who encourage us to understand our lives deeply. They truly are the epitome of speed coupled with grace. 

12"x12" Mixed Media (Acrylic, watercolor, and ink on watercolor paper mounted on a topo map on canvas)

Several of my friends believe loved ones they have lost visit them as hummingbirds. We see them, if only for a fleeting moment, then they are gone. They leave behind  feelings of comfort, of joy, of love.  They are tiny reminders that we are not alone and forever loved. I made this piece for dear friends.

24"x30" Mixed Media Mosaic (Torn pieces of magazine images, acrylic, and ink on watercolor paper; mounted on canvas)

I did not intend to paint this bunny. However, she kept hopping by my studio window while I painted. Because of her persistence, I created her. I am not sad I did. She made me stop and listen to myself and my intuition. 

16"x20" Mixed Media (Acrylic, watercolor, gesso, and ink on watercolor paper on canvas)

After 25+ years of teaching I am ready to discover what will happen during the second phase of my life. I am not certain what the future holds but I have promised myself to emerge colorfully. Butterfly promises this as well. 

16"x20" Mixed Media (acrylic, watercolor, embroidery floss, and wrapping paper on canvas.)

Our English Setter, Kit, is the animal that makes my spirit the happiest. We have never had a dog with more personality. A demander of attention and love, Kit is the most loyal of friends. Moments after sitting down, you'll find this lovely head in your lap and big, black eyes peering up at you. Who can resist her charms? 

 This piece was completed for my husband for Father's Day 2016.

12"x12" Mixed Media (Watercolor, acrylic, and ink on a reloading computer printout of my husband's. On canvas.)

The permit is my dad's "white whale." Catching one continues to be an item on his "bucket list."  I created this permit for a Father's Day gift.  This is one fish that can never elude him.

12"x12"

Mixed Media (Watercolor, acrylic, colored pencil, ink, and Wall Street Journal pages on watercolor paper; mounted on canvas)