Chloë HoltRCA FRSA

Astaea captures the abundant energy of my garden as it transitions into winter. The thick impasto layers of oil paint, gesso, and encaustic wax create a rich, textured surface, evoking the tapestry-like quality of the perennial border—where seed heads and foliage form in preparation for the frost, offering sustenance for the birds. The asters, fennel, and heleniums emerge from this layered surface, with some flowers gilded to catch the light, bringing an ethereal glow to the piece.

The dense, tactile surface reflects the garden’s flourishing energy, woven and celebrating both growth and the quiet beauty of decay. Each layer adds to the depth and complexity, mirroring the cycles of nature and the evolving patterns within the garden. Through Astaea, I seek to convey the sense of an ever-changing, living canvas, where the garden’s purpose continues even as it prepares for the stillness of winter. The painting becomes a testament to the garden’s ability to inspire and sustain, even in the midst of transformation.

Oil, gesso, raw pigment and encaustic wax on board in antique frame w 57 x h 84.5 cm (Framed in antique frame w 82 x h 107 cm)

Ceres is a gestural, impressionistic work on paper, created en plein air in my garden, capturing the fleeting moment of autumnal light as it dances across the perennial border I planted a year ago. In this piece, I’ve sought to convey the raw energy and fluidity of nature evoking the vibrant, evolving forms of the plants. The fennel fronds, Helenium 'Moerheim Beauty', and Echinops thistle emerge in bold, sweeping gestures, their forms suggested rather than defined. The interplay between soft washes and vigorous mark-making reflects the contrast between the quiet decay of autumn and the persistent energy of growth.

Through Ceres, I aim to capture not just the physicality of the plants, but their essence—their moment in time, caught in the ebb and flow of the seasons. The composition speaks to the transient nature of life, the energy of nature, and the meditative process of observing it in its purest, most unfiltered form.

Graphite and conte pastel drawing on Arches watercolour paper w 114 x h 76.5 cm (framed size w 134 x h 96.5 cm approx.)

Ode to Persephone is a simple yet evocative depiction of three pomegranates, a fruit long associated with the myth of Persephone. In the painting, the deep reds of the pomegranates contrast with a soft, muted background, reflecting the fruit's symbolism of both life and death, and the transition between seasons.

The pomegranate has long been seen as a symbol of fertility and the cycles of nature, linked to Persephone’s journey between the underworld and the world above. By focusing on these three fruits, I aim to capture that sense of change and transformation. The loose, textured brushstrokes bring a sense of movement, while the gentle use of space allows the pomegranates to stand as the focal point of the piece.

In this work, I wanted to explore themes of growth, decay, and the quiet beauty found in nature’s cycles.

Mixed media on paper, framed in antique frame w 47.5 x h 37cm (framed w 71 x h 61 cm)

Together in Light & Earth is a meditative composition, evoking balance and harmony. The pewter plate, holding a ripe quince, sings of the earth’s bounty and the passage of time. The quince, with its golden tones and imperfect form, is ripe and this moment of perfection in nature fleeting.

The mussel shell, contains raw pigment for painting, speaks to the transformation of nature into art, bridging the raw and the crafted. Historically Mussel shells and other shells have been used by artists for centuries, dating back to ancient times. In the Renaissance, for example, artists would use shells to hold pigments and as mixing dishes for their paints. In the background, the heart-shaped 18th-century Rushlight candle holder adds warmth, symbolising light, inspiration, representing enlightenment, while its soft glow contrasts with the grounding presence of the other objects.

The careful placement of each element creates a perfect equilibrium, offering a quiet moment of stillness and contemplation.

Oil and gesso on board in antique frame w 51 x h 41 cm (framed w 59 x h 69 cm)

Terra's Sacred Fruit is a contemplative still life that intertwines the ancient symbolism of the pomegranate with the timeless form of a Roman earthenware bowl. The composition features the pomegranate cradled within a classic, hand-crafted bowl, its rich, red hue a striking contrast against the earthy tones of the surrounding elements. The fruit is symbolic of abundance, and the cyclical nature of life—the pomegranate long revered as a symbol of renewal and nourishment.

The title, Terra's Sacred Fruit, references the deep connection between the earth and its offerings, invoking the ancient reverence for this fruit, often considered sacred across various cultures. The subtle, muted colour palette, coupled with the tactile texture of the bowl, creates a harmonious balance, reflecting a moment of quiet reflection on the beauty of nature and its enduring presence.

Oil and gesso on board in antique frame w 38 x h 29 cm (framed w 51.5 x h 43 cm)