about stained ghost

art magic infused with the energies of nature

Holly Hilgenberg of Stained Ghost at her booth at the Eureka Street Art Festival Block Party

Stained Ghost is the creative entity of myself, Holly Hilgenberg, born out of decades of work in painting, publications, fiber arts, glass work, design, communications, retail merchandising, vintage clothing curation, permaculture and herbalism studies, and facilitating creative community offerings. 


Art magic and connection thru nature with intuitive painting, natural dyeing, spell work and infusing pieces with the energy of plant and mushroom essences are core to my creation of one-of-a-kind pieces. 

collaboration over competition

In addition to the creation of art forms, central to my practice is collaboration, community building and creative communications support. I also acknowledge the teachers and visionaries who continue to inform and inspire my work and are listed on my community page. 

In addition to the human kin who have been so instrumental on my path, I name nature as the key support system in guiding my vision. Learn more about my process and framework of working with the elements of nature here. 

close up of "lift up" abstract painting by Holly Hilgenberg of Stained Ghost
Holly Hilgenberg of Stained Ghost on beach at Dry Lagoon State Park in Humboldt County, CA

communications as connection

As a creative communications practitioner with two decades of professional experience, I also provide marketing and communications support for artists, small business owners, healers and social change makers through my creative agency, Society of Air.

let’s connect

Born and raised in Wisconsin, with a thirteen year stop over in Minneapolis (and brief sojourns in London and Brooklyn), I’m based in Northern California, on Wiyot land in Humboldt County.

For art and creative community inquiries I can be reached at stainedghost@gmail.com and on instagram @stainedghost.

close up of abstract painting by Holly Hilgenberg of Stained Ghost

my work is intentionally created to find the exact people the pieces are meant to support and inspire

check out the collection to see what sings to you

may you find a piece that brings joy to your day, no matter where you are

past shows + projects

• Curated and exhibited installation at “Joy is Here” community art show, Brenda Tuxford Gallery, Eureka, CA (Spring 2024)

• Facilitated “Painting with Plants” intuitive painting workshops at the Maker’s Space, Mckinleyville, CA (Winter-Spring 2024)

• Co-facilitated innerWILD Redwood Creative Retreat with dancer Lauren Godla, Del Norte County, CA (Winter 2024)

• Exhibited paintings in Redwood Art Association’s year-long Redwood Coast Airport Exhibition, Humboldt County, CA (Summer 2023-2024)

• Led intuitive painting sessions to create “Healing Community Mural” at Festival of Dreams, Eureka, CA (Summer 2023)

• Exhibited “Web of Joy” interactive installation at Outer Roominations, Loleta, CA (Summer 2023)

• Facilitated “Painting with Plants” intuitive painting workshop at Elder Apothecary, Ashland, OR (Summer 2023)

• Featured Solo Artist at Elder Apothecary, Ashland, OR (Summer 2023) 

• Facilitated zine making workshop for native youth as part of a photography intensive co-led by with social practice photographer Justin Maxon, Hoopa, CA (Summer 2023)

• Exhibited painting in Redwood Art Association’s Artist's Choice Exhibition, Eureka, CA (Spring 2023)

• Exhibited “More Color,” three month-long solo show at Milk Thistle Gallery, Yucca Valley, CA (Spring 2023)

• Exhibited painting in “Spiritual Detour < This Way” show, Ink People Center for the Arts’ Brenda Tuxford Gallery, Eureka, CA (Spring 2023)

• Exhibited painting in Redwood Art Association’s 65th Spring Exhibition, Eureka, CA (Spring 2023)

• Exhibited “Dreams,” two month-long solo show at Modern Finds, Eureka, CA (Spring 2023)

• Facilitated monthly "Virtual Art Club," art making event (Summer 2022-Winter 2023) 

• Facilitated "Working Artists Group" virtual gathering to support artists in creating sustainable businesses and careers out of creative work  (Winter 2022) 

• Exhibited "Wild Days, Mild Nights," month-long solo show at Faces of the Moon, Eureka, CA, featuring collection of flower and mushroom essence infused works created over 2022, with opening community plant sonic ritual led by somatic therapist Jane Moran  (Winter 2022)

• Facilitated monthly "Art Club," art making event with group project instruction at Redwood Retro, Eureka CA (Summer 2022-Winter 2022) 

• Facilitated workshop using guided intuitive painting, reflection and discussion to break down creative blocks at Redwood Retro (Summer 2022)

• Received a Center for Culture Innovation Quick Grant (Fall 2021)

• Exhibited painting in "The Gestation Project" show, Jefferson Community Center and virtually through the Brenda Tuxford Gallery, Eureka, CA (Fall 2021)

• Co-organized "Just Imagine" Public Art Show launched in conjunction with Cooperation Humboldt's Artists Dismantling Capitalism Conference, Eureka, CA (Spring 2021)

• Contributed art barrel to Cooperation Humboldt's Food Drive, Eureka, CA (Spring 2021) 

• Led zine making workshop at Cooperation Humboldt's Artists Dismantling Capitalism Conference, Arcata, CA (Spring 2020)

• Co-created Cooperation Humboldt Solidarity installation for the North Country Fair with visual artist Bianca Lago  (Fall 2019)

• Facilitated weaving and loom making workshop, The Bodega, Eureka, CA (Spring 2019)

• Exhibited paintings at Ink People's “Inspiring Girls” exhibit, a benefit for North Star Quest Camp for Girls, Ink People, Eureka, CA (Spring 2019)

• Design, population and management of Double Peace Studio web site, featuring original artwork (Spring 2014 – Spring 2019) 

• Created, edited, wrote, designed and printed, Yoko in Mom Jeans, a magazine about radical fashion (2017)

• Launched, organized and ran Mom's House, a community-based organization offering creative workshops on topics such as wood working, natural dying, herbalism, collaging and more, collaborating with local art spaces and businesses for joint events, including planning, promotion, and execution of said events (2015-2016)

• Organized and exhibited work in Rad Womyn Art Show, Caffetto Coffee Shop, Minneapolis, MN (Fall 2015)

• Launched, organized and ran C.L.A.P. (Creative Ladies are Powerful), a community based organization centered around quarterly publications of a zine and events that inspired, supported and promoted creative women across the country, including managing submissions, layout, assembly, publishing and dissemination of six issues prior to passing leadership of the publication to contributors, corresponding launch events and tabling at community events (2009-2014)

• Managed personal Etsy shop featuring original paintings (Summer 2009 – Fall 2013) 

• Exhibited painting in “Perpich Staff and Faculty Show,” Laboratory Fine Arts Gallery, Golden Valley, MN (Fall 2013) 

• Donated painting to Guerrilla Girls Billboard fundraiser, Cult Status Gallery, Minneapolis, MN (Summer 2012) 

• Donated painting to Crag Law Center’s Wild Shots auction, Portland, OR (Fall 2011) 

• Illustrated stories for “Twin Cities Runoff” (Fall 2010–Spring 2011) 

• Exhibited painting in “Foot in the Door 4,” Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis, MN (Winter–Spring 2010) 

For art and creative community inquiries I can be reached at stainedghost@gmail.com and on instagram @stainedghost.