New artist introduces herself to Ormond with a painting of Granada Bridge

Like any sensible person, Leah Holland wanted to retire at the beach. And after years of vacationing in Ormond Beach, she had no problem deciding where her next move would be.

"I wanted a place with more opportunities to do art," she said. "There's just more excitement here. More things to paint." 

"I went over to The Casements to introduce myself, and I walked out over to the Halifax River," said Holland, who recently painted the bridge. "The scene was just beautiful. I thought it was a good way to introduce myself to the town." 

A working artist for over 40 years, Holland will use her expertise to teach acrylics and basic drawing to homeschooled students at the Ormond Memorial Art Museum starting in January. She is currently teaching similar classes at Hobby Lobby in Daytona Beach. 

"Ormond is such a beautiful, classy town," she said. "It sets itself apart from the rest." 

Her work can be viewed on Facebook at Leah Holland Art.