Meet James A. Holmes: Visual Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with James A. Holmes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi James A., what do you attribute your success to?

The key to my success is an unwavering commitment to remain authentic in my work as I follow my creative path. Remaining open to inspiration and influences while striving to be original enables me to produce relatable work that resonates with collectors around the world. I rely heavily on my intuition when meeting new people and being presented with new artistic opportunities as I am committed to remaining true to my creative voice and values to manifest the highest purpose in my work. I believe I will manifest the highest purpose in my work by embracing gratitude for every successful painting and learning by taking risks and learning from every moment in the studio.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have developed a unique method to create bold abstract paintings executed in vibrant colors using acrylic and mixed media, sharing my internal perspective through expressions painted from the inside out. The inspiration for my work is derived from the people, places, and experiences of everyday life. Once a painting is complete, I love sharing my work and engaging in conversations about what others see in my paintings before relating my inspired vision that created it. Often, people see angels, clouds, fire, human forms, and representations of the spirit in my work, phrases such as translating love, light, optimism, hope, and peace are often spoken. This resonates with me as being true.

Having spent more than twenty-five years serving on the boards of arts organizations including my continued service as a Trustee of the Denver Art Museum, I continue to support the arts community and artists as a collector of paintings and sculpture. Although I remained committed as a patron and collector, I had not pursued artmaking. Following an equestrian accident in 2018, I took up painting as a means of passing time during my extended recovery from surgery and discovered a beautiful new life path, that of an artist. Following a year of painting, I had established my creative voice, with growing confidence I began to paint on larger canvases with increased velocity and productivity. I was encouraged to exhibit in an art show, which had not been my intention, but with persistent encouragement, I was persuaded to fulfill the request. My experiences at the opening reception which included selling four of the twelve paintings exhibited opened my eyes to the joy of sharing my work, and I became a commitment that evening to becoming a serious artist. My art path has been seamless by unfolding with a sense of ease which enables me to view my path as truly intended for me, and as a result, I have committed myself to build my art career to ensure that my work represents value for my collectors.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Recognizing the rich cultural resources around LA, I would want to share the diversity which exists in my community sharing what is familiar and what is truly unique. I recommend the Denver Art Museum, Clyfford Still Museum, Vance Kirkland Museum, and a variety of galleries in the Art District on Santa Fe.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to express my appreciation to everyone who has contributed to the emergence of my artistic path, the friends, academics, gallerists, collectors, and fellow artists who have encouraged me and embrace my work. This began as an unplanned journey, I begin modestly painting and sharing my work as an exercise in healing and discovered a new way to love and share art. I thank each one of you and trust you will receive my gratitude as I continue along my creative path, painting, exhibiting, and sharing generously along the way.

Website: https://jamesholmesstudio.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesholmesstudio
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesholmes
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskJamesHolmes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesholmesstudio
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZQy4VryKFQzSQ85-YS-_1Q
Other: Patreon:: https://www.patreon.com/jamesholmesstudio

Image Credits
Images of paintings courtesy of Wes Magyar with permission for full use. Studio images courtesy of James Holmes Studio with permission for full use.