Although Holland has painted hundreds of sports paintings for commissions, lithographs, serigraphs, Giclee mid commercial ventures, he is best known for his magnificent portrait of to World's Greatest Athlete “Muhammad Ali”.  Originally painted for the Silver Anniversary of the Victor Awards (honoring Ali as “Athlete of the Century”), the painting was soon selected by Ali's wife as the image to represent him for his 50th birthday party.  Giant posters of the painting flanked the landmark Wiltern Theatre in Hollywood, as thousands attended All's televised tribute.  A limited edition, fine art lithograph has been issued, each numbered and signed by Muhammed Ali and Stephen Holland.

What is it that first attracted Holland to painting sports art? As a young painter, unable to afford live models, he drew from boxing magazines. There he saw the male form in all its power and glory, expressed as contemporary gladiator. Reading the articles in the magazines conveyed to him the determination and hard work that any athlete must have to be a winner. Holland found it an inspiration to himself as an sports artist to put as much discipline, devotion and determination into his own work, in order to express what both he and the athlete experience.

None of this came easy for Holland. As a child he was handicapped, and had to watch his family and friends play sports, while the steel brace he wore on his leg even prevented him from attending normal school. But handicaps often heighten one's sensitivity and talents may develop elsewhere.  So Stephan Holland sat and sketched his friends.  Though his mother used to say he began drawing as soon as he could hold a pencil, his talent actually blossomed while attending a special high school that devoted half of every day to art studies.  Following that he attended the Art Students League.  The School of Visual Arts, and Pratt Institute, all in New York City.

His talent and contribution to the field of art and sports received national recognition when the American Sport Art Museum and Archives awarded him the honor of 1993 Sports Artist of the Year.

Today Stephen Holland lives with his wife J'Nelle in their home/studio in Southern California. When not at various sports arenas, he is often found enjoying his friendship with foremost sports photographer, Robert Riger (from whose photos many of Holland's paintings are taken). Currently he is working diligently to produce a series of celebrity portraits to be printed as limited edition serigraphs.

Stephen Hollands most famous of sports art are: Stephen Holland Sandy Koufax, Stephen Holland Mickey Mantle, Stephen Holland Wayne Gretzky, Stephen Holland Joe Montana, Stephen Holland Troy Aikman, Stephen Holland Muhammed Ali, Stephen Holland Lou Gehrig, Stephen Holland Kobe Bryant, Stephen Holland Shaq, Stephen Holland Magic Johnson, Stephen Holland Magic Bird, Stephen Holland Babe Ruth, Stephen Holland Yao Ming, Stephen Holland Lebron James, Stephen Holland Don Larsen, Stephen Holland Sammy Sosa, Stephen Holland Mark McGwire, Stephen Holland Sugar Ray Leonard, Stephen Holland Game Time, Stephen Holland Rivalry, Stephen Holland Michael Jordan, Stephen Holland Joe Namath, Stephen Holland Derek Jeter, Stephen Holland Dan Marino, Stephen Holland Brett Farve, Stephen Hlland Alex Rodriguez.