How long have you been making art?
All my life. I first started making oil paintings when I was 16. My dad let me take over his old art supplies.
Have your studied art or had training?
Yes. There was a fine art program in my high school were I was able to focus on art consequently leading me to apply to art college and I went to Maryland Institute College of Art. I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting. I studied with lots of awesome artists including Paul Moscatt, Howie Weiss, Barry Nemett, Jim Hennessey and notable visiting artists such as Wolf Kahn and Robert Natkin.

oil on board
©John Holdway
Please describe your workspace or studio.
I have a small room in our house where I have a studio. I also have a garage workshop where I can build supports and frames.

oil on board
©John Holdway
What’s your favorite place to work away from your studio?
I like to go out and paint landscapes in the field. I get a lot of inspiration from being outdoors.
The world can sometimes feel disconnected and indeed I feel it myself, sometimes very intensely. I know other artists also feel disassociated, isolated and even adversarial with each other so we put fun first and connecting in person.
Do you listen to anything while you work?
I usually listen to music. Often I like the Mandolin Orange, Andrew Bird, Devendra Banhart, Iron and Wine and recently I was introduced to a new band Fort Vine. I also listen to audiobooks sometimes. When I paint outside I don’t usually listen to anything.
Who inspires you?
Michelle of course! She is my biggest supporter. Applying paint to canvas is only part of the work of art certainly connecting with individuals is the other piece and Michelle is magical at opening her heart to the world. Anyone gifted to call her a friend knows it to be true. She inspires me to push beyond making paintings but also serve the world. I see a huge need for people to connect and belong consequently that’s how we came up with the idea for Moss Hollow Gallery. The world can sometimes feel disconnected and indeed I feel it myself, sometimes very intensely. I know other artists also feel disassociated, isolated and even adversarial with each other so we put fun first and connecting in person. It is exciting that we are getting so much positive feedback about the project.

oil on board
©John Holdway
What can followers look for from you in the future?
I am working on new paintings all the time and am working on lining up new shows. We are planning a Spring Moss Hollow event and another in the Fall. Besides the events We will have art up all the time and are open by appointment if you just want to visit with me and see some art. I may have some outside curatorial opportunities in the future. I am also developing MossHollowGallery.com and there should be more content soon. I also have some workshops that I am developing. I have other projects going on too but I will stop there.
How can our followers connect with you?
I try to have a presence a lot of places however my web page is the hub to connect to everything JohnHoldway.com I am most active on Facebook , Instagram and recently I have been experimenting with live streaming on Twitch.

oil on board
©John Holdway