Luke Hollis

Established Figurative & Landscape Fine Artist

Luke Hollis is a New Zealand figurative and landscape artist based in Auckland, and is particularly known for his fine portraiture, capturing the beauty of his subjects in their expressions and his use of soft, glowing light.

Fuelled by a passion for capturing the real and fantasy alike, Luke’s pieces mix contemporary with traditional styles accentuated by loose and painterly brushwork. He is continually developing his work through experimentation. One of his primary passions is conceptual art with most of his free time spent on his often bizarre figurative pencil works.

Luke is influenced by traditional artists like Nicolai Fechin, John Singer Sargent, Thomas Whilmer Dewing, as well as contemporary artists such as Richard Schmidt, Zhaoming Wu, Morgan Weistling, and Ron Hicks, to name a few. His line work has received high acclamation by fellow contemporary artists and is a strong foundation for his detailed oil pieces.

A self-taught artist, Luke has been painting professionally since 2004. He is known throughout the country, having begun his painting career in the Bay of Plenty followed by sell-out shows in Whakatane and Tauranga in the early 2000s. Viewed as one of New Zealand's leading young emerging artists, he was awarded runner-up in the Molly Morpeth Canaday art awards in 2004, followed by First Equal in the same awards in 2005 where he was also honoured as the winner of the People’s Choice Award.

Luke has received notable acclaim from art critics and the art community alike. His works are held in private collections both nationally and internationally.

Art by the River is a modern fine arts Whanganui gallery, opened in December 2024. The gallery features a mix of emerging and established NZ artists, alongside an exclusive art Collectables selection of NZ art for sale. As art dealers and collectors, we include rare and sought-after artworks by internationally recognised artists such as Gretchen Albrecht, Banksy, Damien Hirst, Ralph Hotere and, Andy Warhol. We are committed to supporting NZ artists through a regular artwork exhibition in-house, connecting both NZ and international art collectors with meaningful artwork, and contributing to Whanganui's vibrant cultural environment.

  • See Luke's Exhibition 'Lumina' Here
    Lumina
Artist Luke Hollis in his Studio
Oil painting of a young woman in a pale off-the-shoulder dress, her face turned downwards, with warm light catching her hair against a softly painted background, by Luke Hollis

Where the light falls

$3,200

Oil painting of a young woman in profile with her hair pinned up, wearing a white dress and holding pale flowers against a softly painted blue-green background, by Luke Hollis

Poise

$4,200

Oil painting of a young woman with long dark hair and a pale off-the-shoulder dress, surrounded by softly painted orange flowers and luminous blue-green tones, by Luke Hollis

Shimmer

$5,000

Oil painting of a man wearing a brimmed hat and long coat, standing with a rifle beside a river or wetland amid loosely painted grasses and trees, by Luke Hollis

Taking Stock

$4,000

Oil painting of a young woman resting her head on one hand beside a table of pottery, fruit and grapes, wearing a dark bodice with pale gathered sleeves, by Luke Hollis

Another time

Sold $5,800

Oil painting of a young woman with softly gathered hair and a long braid, her head turned downwards, wearing a striped dress against a luminous blue-green background, by Luke Hollis

A quiet light

$4,200

Oil painting of a young woman with long brown hair wearing a pale loose-sleeved dress, seated at a table with fruit, pottery and flowers beside an open window, by Luke Hollis

Luminous

$3,000

Oil painting of a young woman with flowers in her hair, wearing a pale ruffled off-the-shoulder dress and holding a bowl of green fruit beside pottery and oranges, by Luke Hollis

When no one's watching

$5,000

Oil painting of a young woman with auburn hair wearing a pale off-the-shoulder blouse and pink skirt, seated outdoors against a dark landscape and blue-grey sky, by Luke Hollis

Last of the light

$2,900

Atmospheric contemporary portrait of a young woman in soft golden light with flowing painterly brushwork and a contemplative mood, oil on board by NZ artist Luke Hollis

Currents

Sold $3,200

Contemporary portrait painting with rich painterly texture and soft romantic tones, featuring a poised female figure against a glowing blue background, oil on board by NZ artist Luke Hollis

Lush

$2,200

Oil painting of a young woman with long dark hair, her head turned downwards, with warm golden light across her face and hair against a loosely painted background, by Luke Hollis

Half light

$1,800

Oil painting portrait of a young woman with dark hair, her face turned upwards and illuminated in pale blue, pink and warm orange tones against a deep blue background, by Luke Hollis

Luminance

$1,800

Intimate contemporary portrait painting of a woman, rendered in luminous impressionistic light with rich textured brushwork, oil on board by New Zealand artist Luke Hollis

A pause between moments

Sold $1,950

Atmospheric contemporary portrait of a woman framed by deep crimson tones with delicate realism and dreamlike expression, oil on board by New Zealand artist Luke Hollis

Allure

$2,200

Oil painting of an older bearded man wearing a flat cap and coat, seated and reading an open book held in both hands, painted in earthy muted tones, by Luke Hollis

Tall Tales

$4,000

Intimate contemporary portrait of a woman with flowing red hair captured in warm luminous light and expressive painterly texture, oil on board by New Zealand artist Luke Hollis

Bathed

$1,950

Romantic contemporary portrait painting of a young woman bathed in glowing natural light with soft impressionistic brushwork, oil on board by NZ artist Luke Hollis

Sun Touched

$1,950

Luminous contemporary portrait of a young woman framed by warm golden backlight and soft expressive brushwork, oil on board by New Zealand artist Luke Hollis

Sunlit Silhouette

$1,950

Contemporary portrait painting of a young woman illuminated by soft blue and golden light, rendered with atmospheric brushwork and dreamlike realism, oil on board by NZ artist Luke Hollis

The Soft Hours

$2,200

Share

Next Artist