Capturing Emotion in Every Brushstroke

Art isn’t just about technique. It’s about feeling. For Texas-based oil painter Summer VonHolten, every piece she creates carries emotion—sometimes a quiet nostalgia, sometimes a burst of joy, and sometimes an echo of something deeper.

“I don’t just paint what I see,” Summer explains. “I paint what I feel. Every color, every texture, every choice I make is tied to a memory or a mood.”

Her work, known for its rich layers, soft light, and emotional depth, draws inspiration from nature, music, and personal experiences. From wide-open Texas landscapes to abstract expressions of memory, her paintings tell a story—one that invites the viewer to step in and feel something, too.

A Childhood in Nature

Summer VonHolten grew up in Tomball, Texas, surrounded by open fields, wildflowers, and big, stretching skies. Her earliest memories of art aren’t in a classroom or studio but outdoors, sitting in the grass with a sketchpad.

“I remember trying to draw the sunset,” she recalls. “The colors kept shifting before I could get them right. It was frustrating, but it taught me to really look—to pay attention.”

That habit of observing the small details never left her. Even now, she finds inspiration in everyday sights—the way light filters through leaves, the texture of old wooden fences, or the movement of shadows across the ground.

Learning the Language of Art

Summer’s passion for painting led her to the University of Houston, where she studied Fine Arts with a focus in oil painting. College introduced her to new techniques, new ideas, and new influences. She found herself drawn to artists like Georgia O’Keeffe and Vincent van Gogh, both of whom used color and movement to express deep emotions.

“O’Keeffe taught me that simplicity can be powerful,” Summer says. “Van Gogh showed me that texture and energy bring a painting to life.”

After graduating in 2002, she spent years exploring her own style, working as an art instructor, gallery curator, and resident artist in Texas and New Mexico. Each role helped shape her approach—not just in painting but in how she sees creativity as a whole.

Santa Fe: A Turning Point

In 2005, Summer moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, known for its thriving art scene and dramatic landscapes. The colors there were different—sharper, brighter, more intense. The desert light changed everything, and it challenged her to experiment with her work.

“Santa Fe made me braver,” she says. “I started layering paint differently, embracing imperfection, letting the colors speak for themselves.”

It was also in Santa Fe that she learned a valuable lesson: not every painting needs to be perfect to be meaningful.

“One time, I accidentally spilled paint across a nearly finished canvas,” she remembers. “Instead of fixing it, I worked with it. That mistake made the piece more interesting. It taught me to trust the process.”

Returning to Texas, Finding Her Voice

In 2010, Summer returned to Tomball to set up her own studio. Some people were surprised—why leave an art hub like Santa Fe for a quiet town? But for Summer, it made perfect sense.

“Texas is home,” she says. “I needed to bring everything I’d learned back to the place that first inspired me.”

She began focusing on landscapes, memory-driven compositions, and the emotional connection between light and color. Over time, her work gained recognition in Texas galleries, earning her a loyal following.

She also started mentoring other artists, offering workshops on creativity, technique, and finding personal artistic style. Teaching, she says, has been just as rewarding as painting.

“I love watching artists find their own voice,” she says. “It’s not about copying techniques—it’s about discovering what makes your work unique.”

Music, Memory, and Mood

Music plays a huge role in Summer’s creative process. She chooses a playlist before she paints, letting the rhythm guide her brushstrokes.

“Music changes everything,” she says. “A slow, soft song makes me paint differently than something with a strong beat. The energy of the music transfers into the work.”

Memory also influences her paintings. Sometimes, a scent, a song, or even a conversation will spark an idea. “A field I paint might not exist anywhere except in my head,” she explains. “It’s a mix of places I’ve seen and emotions I’ve felt.”

She also believes that color carries emotion. Bright, golden tones remind her of childhood. Deep blues and purples reflect quiet, introspective moments. “When I paint, I’m translating feelings into color,” she says.

The Power of Small Details

One of the things that sets Summer’s work apart is her focus on small, overlooked details. A crack in the sidewalk filled with moss. The reflection of light in a puddle after the rain. The way shadows stretch across a wall at sunset.

“There’s so much beauty in the things we don’t notice,” she says. “I try to capture those moments so people can see them in a new way.”

She encourages others to slow down and pay attention, whether they’re artists or not.

“Next time you’re outside, look closer. Notice the colors in the sky, the patterns in the leaves, the movement of the wind. The world is full of tiny masterpieces.”

As Summer continues to grow as an artist, she’s experimenting with larger canvases, different textures, and new ways to evoke emotion through paint. But no matter how her style evolves, one thing remains the same—her deep connection to nature, memory, and emotion.

“I don’t paint to impress anyone,” she says. “I paint because it helps me understand the world. And if my work makes someone feel something—anything—then I’ve done my job.”

For Summer VonHolten, art isn’t just about creating something beautiful. It’s about capturing a moment, a memory, a feeling—and sharing it with others. And that’s what makes her work so powerful.

Published by Joseph T.