Russell Hollings has been interested in painting from a very early age. The surrounding countryside of Clevedon, Alfriston, Hunua and Pukekohe were all inspiring landscapes for Hollings. Further afield the areas of Kawakawa Bay and in fact the whole firth of Thames and the Coromandel Peninsula provided him with an ideal environment in which to paint out of doors.

A major influence for Hollings was the renowed English artist Edward Seago. Favouring the English school of painting, Hollings admired artists such as Ken Howard, Fred Cuming, Benard Dunsstan and Diana Armfield. His favourite New Zealand Artists are John Weeks and Garth Tapper.

Russell has worked in all mediums but has a great love for the special qualities that oil paint offers. Oils suit his temperament and his particular way of working with paint.