Born in 1972 in Boulder, Colorado, Israel Holloway grew up in the Yampa Valley, sharing the same back country as Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid, Annie Basset and the Wild Bunch. As a third-generation sign painter, he developed an early interest in art and a keen understanding of design and color theory. In 1994, Israel was commissioned to sculpt for a renowned Denver artist, continuing to refine his artistic skills while working in construction, woodworking, and drafting. He views himself as a lifelong student of fine art, drawing inspiration from galleries, public libraries, daily practice, and his students. Influenced by masters like James Bama, Harley Brown and Norman Rockwell, Israel began painting full-time in 2010.

From 2012 to 2017, he taught painting and design at Colorado Northwestern Community College and has been actively involved in the art community as a juror, volunteer, and mentor. Israel's award-winning watercolor paintings, inspired by his photography of the American West, are showcased in galleries nationwide. Israel’s artistry has been showcased in publications including Southwest Art and Western Art & Architecture, and at prestigious events such as the Russell Auction to benefit the C.M. Russell Museum and Coors Western Art Exhibit. He created the World’s Largest Watercolor painting in 2021, on permanent display at the Museum of Northwest Colorado. Israel resides in the Yampa Valley and continues to explore themes of honesty, resilience, and beauty in both his art and life. 

  "Watercolor is a dance between human intention and the uncontrollable nature of water. For me it's the perfect balance of what I want to portray and what the water wants to do. I embrace the traditional technique of eliminating white paint from my palette. Colors and highlights are created using the purest transparent watercolors, water, and the 'white' of the paper only."

     "I love an engaging composition with a strong center of interest, a dominant overall color and areas for the eyes to rest. I look for an expression of inner peace, something I hope for in myself and in humanity as a whole. I also hope that the overall body of work portrays the real living west that still exists today. I try to capture honest moments and expressions and rarely ask a subject to pose."

Education: Self educated.

Awards & Honors: 2012 Clyde Heron Award from the American Plains Artists at the Museum of the Southwest, chosen by juror/artist John Coleman (Cowboy Artists of America) - 2013 Jack Richeson and Co. Award from the National Watercolor Society, San Pedro, California, also chosen for the 2014 Traveling Exhibition – 2013 Mission Gold Award and 2014 Peoples Choice Award from the 45th and 46th Annual Watercolor West International Juried Exhibitions, Brea, California – 2015 Golden Spur Award (Artists Choice Award), and Artists Retreat Award from the American Plains Artists 30th Annual Juried Exhibit, Great Plains Art Museum, Lincoln, Nebraska – 2016 First Place Purchase Award, Mountain Art Show, CNCC, Craig, Colorado - Chosen for the covers of the 2014 and 2015 Colorado State High School Rodeo Association Finals, 'World's Largest Watercolor' completed in 2021 at the Museum of Northwest Colorado.

 Selected Exhibitions: Coors Western Art Exhibit and Sale, 'The Russell' Exhibit and Sale to Benefit the C.M. Russell Museum, Mountain Oyster Club, National Watercolor Society, Watercolor West, American Plains Artists, Southwest Artists, Transparent Watercolor Society of America, Rocky Mountain National Watermedia, Colorado Watercolor Society, Foothills Art Center, Lone Tree Art Center, PACE Center, Art Steamboat, Richeson 75, Great Plains Art Museum, Museum of the Southwest, Museum of Northwest Colorado, Mountain Art Show, and the Meeker Classic International Art Show.

Selected Publications: Southwest Art, Wild West Magazine, Western Art & Architecture