“Wagon Shed” – 1970s San Louis Obispo Farm Landscape by Helen A. Hollister

“Wagon Shed”, a 1970’s farm landscape of San Louis Obispo by Helen Hollister (American, 1921-2020), 1975. Presented in a wooden frame. Signed “Helen Hollister” and dated “75” lower left. Titled “Wagon Shed,” signed “Helen Hollister” and dated “1975” on verso. Image: 16″H x 22″W.

Her watercolors reflect the influence of Arne Nybak in style and bold 60s-70s modern colors.

She graduated from SLO High in 1938 and attended San Luis Obispo Junior College, the forerunner of today’s Cuesta College, for a year and a half. She then went to work for her dad in his new insurance agency. In the late 1950s after the birth of her second son, she was able to pursue her lifelong passion for art. She regretted that she was unable to attend a formal art college but made up for it by studying on her own and taking classes from local artists Arne Nybak and Robert Reynolds among others. Helen was actively involved in the Art Center of SLO and many local families had their homes decorated with her paintings. Though she was accomplished in many mediums, water color was her favorite. Even in the last years of her life she would pick up a pencil and sketch a portrait or two. Her watercolors reflect the influence of Arne Nybak in style and bold 60s-70s modern colors.