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Meet James A. Holmes

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Today we’d like to introduce you to James A. Holmes.

James, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
On February 3, 2018, I suffered a severe neck injury and minor head injury as a result of an equestrian accident, requiring immediate emergency surgery and months-long recovery at home. Encouraged to take up drawing or painting a childhood fascination, I dug out a set of acrylic paints I had purchased years before but never used and my journey as an artist began.

I attracted into my life a muse and divine inspiration to create vivid abstract expressions working primarily in acrylics on stretched canvas or canvas boards. As I often paint late into the night, I developed a practice I call “meeting the painting in the morning,” whereby I translate my work and connect with the influences that result in my artistic expressions.

I paint from the inside out. I believe painting from “the inside out” is a practice that allows me to outwardly communicate my inner life. Everything I internalize, the experiences I have, the people in my life, my hopes and dreams, my faith are all reflected from heart, mind, and soul through the prism of my intuitive lenses resulting in artistic expressions utilizing a variety of media.

As I began to exhibit primarily at the Veteran’s Arts Council Gallery and sell my work to both new and experienced collectors, I decided that establishing a working studio and private gallery would be the next logical step on my path.

My surgery and physical recovery have been a complete success and I have returned to training and riding my horses which is among my other passions. I view my art life as the silver lining to my entire experience working through what turned out to be a life-changing event.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I have come to view my art path as a divine gift primarily because of how naturally everything has manifested. In the very beginning, before I ever thought of showing or selling my paintings, the feedback I was getting through sharing them on social media was encouraging and led to the first invitation to exhibit my work. The opening of the first exhibit was surreal, I sold four paintings, and my painting “Returning the Muse” received the “People’s Choice Award,” in an instant, everything changed.

An introduction to the Veterans Arts Council by Denver artist Espino Arte opened the door to monthly exhibits at the VAC gallery and a place in Denver’s arts district. The relationships I have been able to establish in the arts community over the years as a Trustee of the Denver Art Museum, as a collector, and arts patron, certainly made my path easier once I was able to recognize the potential in my art practice. I am like many artists facing unique challenges managing our pandemic response both creatively and as it relates to the business of exhibiting and selling art.

James Holmes Studio – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I create unique abstract paintings using vibrant colors applied to large and small canvases which invite the observer to unlock their imagination to interpret the meaning of each painting. My paintings often become statement pieces as a focal point in a collector’s home or office.

In addition to creating paintings for exhibit and sale, I also consult with collecting clients on commissioned projects whereby they have an opportunity to request a painting influenced by their personal life journey, an aesthetic vision, or the design outcome they are seeking to achieve. I love the process of learning how a client lives or works in a space, gaining an understanding of what they enjoy visually, what has inspired their desire for the project, I then create a painting that satisfies their intended objective.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Defining success in art practice has many possible metrics depending on the artist’s objectives. To create work that I am proud of is always my primary objective. When I confront a blank canvas, I work to clear my mind to allow my creative energy to flow from my heart. When I feel a painting is complete, my strongest desire is to interpret what my newly created expression means. Upon reflection, if a painting resonates with me and accurately represents my intentions, I feel it is a success.

Exhibiting paintings that inspire and speak to an audience or results in a sale or commission is an equally valid measure of success but not a requirement for me to be happy with my work as an artist.

It is also important to me to fulfill my responsibilities as a working member of the Denver art community, which means I support other artists by purchasing their work, attending their shows, and sharing their work through my social media platforms. I recently became a member of the Art District on Santa Board of Directors in order to help ensure the viability of the district by serving my fellow artists in this capacity. I also view this as a measure of success.

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Image Credit:
James Holmes Studio

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