2 minute read
Jim Holland
Cape Provides Holland with Artistic Inspiration
Jeffrey Bilezikian, new owner of the Jim Holland Pops by the Sea commemorative painting, which he bid on and won at the AFCC’s Spring Soirée in June im Holland’s parents had been retired and living on Cape Cod for more than a decade when he decided to follow them and pursue his art career full-time in 1995. Born in Schenectady, New York, Holland was drawn to J Prior to embarking on the project, Holland had no idea that this year’s guest conductor, Dermot Mulroney, is a cellist and will play the instrument at the 33rd annual Pops. Perhaps it is karma that led Holland to be chosen as this year’s Pops by the Sea the Cape for the reason that many are — its unparalleled beauty, commemorative artist. which has served as a backdrop for the majority of his Julie Wake, AFCC executive director, prefers to look at it stunning works. another way. “Jim’s talent speaks for itself,” she says. “That’s why
As to why the Cape is a central figure in his paintings, he he was a perfect choice for the Pops. He added a layer of beauty explains it this way: “I think it started with just the light at the and simplicity to this year’s work which serves as a reminder shore… It is so open the light is so unimpeded. The landscape is that we all are lucky to live in such an awe-inspiring place where open and I just love the play of the light near the water.” creativity can flourish.”
So it should come as no surprise that those two elements — Holland, she says, is a perfect example of that. light and water — play an important role in Holland’s Pops by the A graphic designer by trade, he graduated from Dutchess Sea commemorative painting, “A Summer Air” which depicts a Community College and worked for an ad agency as an art cello resting gently against a white chair, both sitting on the grass director for 15 years before he made the jump from the corporate against the backdrop of the ocean. world to the creative one.
The piece included another favorite subject of Holland’s — a Over the past 30 years, he has embraced the life of a painter chair. “I’ve always been a fan of the architectural element of chair on Cape Cod — he lives in Brewster with filmmaker Allison Argo and lights hitting chairs,” he says. “I’ve done dozens of paintings — where his work is constantly evolving as he looks for new ways of light hitting lifeguard chairs and chairs in my house so I wanted to portray the beauty of this place he proudly calls home. “This to add something that would bring a musical motif. When the is where my subject matter tends to be,” he says. “Although I’ve cello came in, they worked perfectly together… They suggest the done paintings of other parts of the Northeast, I live here so this is musician is there and tie you into the motif of the concert.” where the bulk of my inspiration comes from.”
