23 April, 2025

From NZ to Scotland – painter’s landscapes reveal different worlds

Inspired by nature … Holly Haines at work in her Edinburgh studio

A young Milford painter, now based in Edinburgh, is showing her classical-style landscapes which include contrasting New Zealand and Scottish scenes.
Twenty-five-year-old Holly Haines is exhibiting this month at Art by the Sea gallery in Takapuna. She held her first solo show there in late 2023 and in the interim has also exhibited in the Scottish capital.
“There are definitely similarities between Scottish and New Zealand landscapes, however I feel that each still has unique individual qualities,” she tells the Observer. “I am most inspired by the sky when creating a painting – this is often what draws me to a particular scene.”
Her work, primarily in oils, explores light and mood and the differences between the two countries is also reflected in her chosen colour palettes.
“What strikes me most about New Zealand is its particularly lush greenery and distinctive skies with a crisp bright light. In contrast, Scotland favours moodier skies and softer lighting. Earthier, warmer tones appear more regularly in the landscape,” she says.
The former Westlake Girls High School student moved to Edinburgh in 2022 for two years of study at the Edinburgh Atelier, graduating in mid-2024. She was drawn to its style of teaching, focusing on the painting skills and traditions of the old masters.

Contrasting countries… At left Scottish painting Guiding River and (right) a South Island scene, Mountain River

“Combined with my desire to see more of the world and my family background in the UK, it felt like the right decision – and I began working toward making the move. It’s been such a privilege to meet people from all over and to explore a country with its own distinctive natural beauty.”
She has a studio in Edinburgh and has made trips to the Highlands and isles.
But Haines’ work is also anchored here, with a past trip to the South Island having inspired some of her work. She tells the Observer she also did some painting during her one visit home. “I am so appreciative of what a beautiful country New Zealand is and I refer back to this often when I am painting.”
For now though, her focus is on exploring the Scottish coast and its brooding interiors.
Haines says her creative process varies slightly between each piece. “I typically work from a mix of photo references, studies, and memory. I don’t often copy an image exactly – it’s more of a guide to help recall the feeling and details of a place.”
She has no particular favourite among the works she is showing at Art by the Sea, as each painting has a different energy and emotional tone. But she points to Mountain River and Guiding River as two works that show the differences she perceives between her two homelands. The first is inspired by the South Island and features clear, bright tones and abundant greenery. Guiding River references Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands, with a focus on the moodiness of the sky and rustier, earthier tones. “The painting’s heavier atmospheric quality contrasts with the freshness and clarity of the New Zealand light,” she says.

• Holly Haines: Landscapes – A World Apart, at Art by the Sea gallery until 29 April.

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