For Sure Exhibition

Heidi Holloway’s “For Sure” exhibition at Argyle Fine Art Gallery is a distinctly Nova Scotian show. The title, “For Sure” (pronounced with a Maritimer accent as “For Shore”), reflects the local spirit, and the seascapes feature Nova Scotia’s land, sea, and familiar coastal species.

For this exhibition, Heidi draws deep inspiration from the province’s coastline, vividly capturing coastal birds in their natural habitats. Her work highlights the interconnectedness of life and land, portraying fleeting moments of co-existence between birds, their environment, and the observer. This relationship is especially poignant, as many of the bird species depicted are classified as At-Risk or Endangered.

The pieces are informed by Heidi’s spring 2025 artist residency, during which she spent immersive time in coastal forests and shorelines. She explored diverse regions—including the South Shore, Eastern Shore, Bay of Fundy, and Tri-County areas—seeking experiential inspiration. These experiences shaped the textures, colours, and light in her work. The exhibition’s themes are reflected in the titles, which emphasize ecological features and species characteristics.

Artistic Style Description

Heidi’s artist style is characterized by layered, rhythmic techniques that evoke the constant movement of the Nova Scotia coastline. She mixes vibrant hues directly on the canvas, allowing natural gradations to emerge organically within each composition. Airy layers of colour—especially in scenes of dawn light over sandflats—feature soft pastels set against richer tones, with transparent glazing effects reminiscent of diluted acrylic washes. Through multiple semi-transparent coats, Heidi builds a palpable sense of atmosphere and depth, capturing effects like haze, drift, and distant horizons, while conveying feather-light textures seen in motifs such as wings and facial features. Her style features close-up imagery of birds, where crisp, miniaturized strokes are layered over more fluid backgrounds, effectively emphasizing detailed structure within broader abstraction. Controlled scaling and a watchful eye for realism are evident throughout her work, as sharp outlines and fine accents are thoughtfully overlaid on expressive washes, achieving a harmonious balance between precision and abstraction. This approach enables Heidi to vividly capture the co-existence of bird, land, and observer, reflecting her immersive experience along Nova Scotia’s diverse coastal regions and her focus on at-risk and endangered species.

Exhibition Paintings

Opening Reception: Opening Reception, which will feature an Artist Talk, for this exhibit will be held Sept 17, 2025 from 7p-9p at the Argyle Fine Art Gallery. Featuring an Artist Talk.

Event Links

New Exhibits at Argyle Fine Art | Downtown Halifax Business Commission