A Celebration of Austin

It came as no surprise to us folks here at Atown when Courtney Leigh Holder became one of our top selling local artists. Courtney’s colorful paintings of nostalgic Texas landscapes, figurative portraits, and symbolic still-lifes adorn homes across Central Texas and beyond. Customers at Atown are always thrilled to find a painting of their favorite Austin spot, whether it’s a cozy depiction of Deep Eddy, Congress Bridge, or Zilker Park.

Courtney’s work aligns gracefully with Atown’s mission to celebrate local artists and the city’s unique spirit. Her locally-made paintings explore memory, desire, and spirituality. Spiritual insights lie in the details—of familiar natural spots, biographical portraits, food, flowers and other every-day objects. For her, painting is a form of prayer: celebrating, and struggling with, the mysteries and beauty of the unseen.

Keeping it Weird

The realist painter credits her unique style and artistic mindset to her non-traditional path. Unimpressed by the realism programs available in universities at the time, Courtney chose to teach herself through books and hands-on experimentation. “When I wanted to learn how to glaze,” she says, “I experimented with oil and taught myself.” Her influences—Trina Hyman’s fairy tale illustrations, with their whimsical storytelling, and Jan van Eyck’s symbolic paintings—further shaped her approach. 

Rather than seeking validation through art galleries, she opted to sell directly to collectors and “awesome shops like Atown.” Unencumbered by traditional expectations, she’s been able to pursue the kind of artwork that resonates deeply with her and her audience. This spirit of artistic freedom is what helps Keep Austin Weird. Says Courtney, “I love how we love being weirdos here! We don’t have to fit the mold or follow the trends—we can just be who we are meant to be, and create how we were meant to create.”

Coming Home

For Courtney, home—a special theme in her artwork—means Austin and the Texas Hill Country. She has many memories of Barton Springs and the Broken Spoke, like most of the other local places she paints. Her memories help her capture “maybe a little of the soul of the place,” as she humbly puts it. Courtney is a fifth generation Texan and a native Austinite who travels around the state constantly in search of what she calls “beauty in both forgotten and common places.” These include “the high desert plains of West Texas, the marsh Cypress forests of East Texas, and the winding rivers of the Hill Country.” 

Many of Courtney’s top-selling paintings include bodies of water, such as rivers, marshes, creeks, and lakes. In a state that reached 100℉ in February, we don’t just love our watering holes, we need them. After all, what else is there to do on a hot summer day but go tubing down the Comal River, or splashing around at Deep Eddy?

Local Inspiration

Courtney credits some of her inspiration to local chefs in Austin. One is Todd Duplechan at Lenoir—the Michelin star restaurant on South 1st Street renowned for its local, farm-to-table Texas food and backyard wine garden. Several of Courtney’s food still life paintings are inspired by Todd’s kitchen, food, and influences.

Lenoir x Courtney Holder, Austin Art Print of Foodie Still Life Oil Painting, Limited-Edition Archival Print

Courtney also credits painter and fellow Austinite Sara Lathan, whom she goes on painting trips around Texas with, as well as her sister Leslie Lenhart, who creates natural stone jewelry which is, according to Leslie’s website, “inspired by land and sea and where they meet.” These collaborations reflect Austin’s interconnected creative energy—a city where food, art, and nature intertwine.

Shop Small ATX

At Atown, we’re immensely proud to showcase Courtney Leigh Holder’s art—a celebration of Austin’s spirit, landscapes, and the stories that make this crazy little city a place to call home. Whether it’s the nostalgia of a familiar Austin landmark or the quiet beauty of the Texas Hill Country, Courtney’s paintings invite us to pause, reflect, and belong. By supporting local artists like Courtney, you’re not just adding a piece to your home. You’re investing in the heart of Austin’s creative soul.

Austin Art Print - Barton Springs Pool at Zilker Park - Archival print of original Austin painting

Find Courtney’s prints at Atown and online at www.courtneyholder.com. Connect with Courtney via email at hello@courtneyholder.com, and follow her on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook at @courtneyholderart.