Happy Sunday you beautiful people!

Welcome back to another SUNDAY STUDIO BLOG.

We have something a bit different today, artist Heidi Holloway brings us into her process and explains how she connects with our beautiful Nova Scotian landscapes.

Heidi & her dog Shylo canoeing in the back-country

Open Air Inspiration and Studio

When reflecting on my art practice and my studio, I considered my entire process for creating and decided to highlight my “open-air” studio/inspirations. The portion of my process and practice that starts within the open air of nature.

What some readers may not know about me is that I am passionate about immersing myself in nature. I delight in exploring new landscapes and revisiting familiar ones with a fresh perspective. Whether it's through a casual walk, a long hike, a day trip by kayak, or a multi-day back-country canoe trip, I find joy in every adventure. Being deep within the land allows me to experience uninterrupted nature, bringing a silence so profound that my ears are uncertain of the experience. My senses are put in order, my heart is at peace, and my cup overflows with inspiration.

Nature has a unique way of grounding me, providing a sense of tranquillity that is hard to find elsewhere. Each journey into the wilderness is an opportunity to disconnect, unplug, strip life down to its essentials, and reconnect with the natural world. The rustling of leaves, the chirping of birds, the flutter of wings, and the gentle flow of water all contribute to a symphony that soothes the soul. These moments of solitude and reflection are not a hobby but a vital part of my creative process.

I often create art during my back-country endeavours. Sketching and carving are my preferred methods when I'm in the wilderness. I carry a small black book, a tin with sketching essentials, and a carving pen with me. These art tools may not be on everyone's wilderness packing list, but they are essential in mine.

There is no distinct rhythm to when I sketch on paper or carve on rock. Sometimes it may be after a fresh morning coffee, while sitting on a sandy shore, or resting in a hammock with an evening breeze. I often sketch based on what I experience during the back-country adventure. A loon swimming nearby, a warbler bouncing between branches, or even my sleeping dog, Shylo. It is a relaxing form of expression for me, with no expectations of outcomes, no audience, no grand scheme, just pure expression.

My wilderness sketchbook is full of stories in the form of images from my trips into the bush over the last 10 years. There is a secret that I have not told others, though there may be a few who are accidentally aware. The secret is that there are back-country sites across this province that hold pieces of my art. A paper sketch hidden away in a log box or a carved rock sitting just up from the shoreline. A series of “Easter Eggs” scattered across the wilds of this province to hopefully be enjoyed onsite by other nature enthusiasts for years to come.

It is likely no surprise that every nature endeavour includes watching the beautiful diversity of birds who are either passing through or call these natural environments home. These glimpses and interactions are often the main themes of my work. To capture the existence of the birds within the habitat, to showcase their essence, or to demonstrate the feeling that their presence gives.

The inspiration received from these adventures do not only inspire art in the moment but is also something that is carried back with me into my home studio. I bring inspiration back with me through photography reference, memory from mental snapshots, and sketches. The sights, sounds, textures, and colours of my experiences in nature greatly influence my work. Whether that be specific subject matter, colour palettes, or an undertone of emotional expression.

This nature-based inspiration in my work will be distinctly seen in my September 2025 showcase at Argyle Fine Art. Like all other Nova Scotians, I need to adapt where and how I engage with nature. Changing outdoor habits due to the absence of access to a particular type of land. Moving my range of natural landscape away from the woods and to this province’s water bond lands exclusively. This shift in natural landscape exposure and wildlife experiences will be strongly observed in my upcoming exhibit. As all depictions will be based on my experiences of connecting with Nova Scotia’s shorelines and shorebirds.

I look forward to sharing with viewers the beauty that came from this adaption. Showcasing the colour palettes, coastal moods, and diverse species of birds that our shorelines have to offer.