Artist Statement
Painting has always been a part of my life. I paint that which excites me...the glow of the sunlight on a horse's back or the intense grays of a rainy day. Mother Nature is my inspiration.
I paint on archival Multimedia Artboard with buttery soft pastel (Shminke) in layers of expressive color. Most works start with a plein air study. Many pieces are finished entirely on location as I return several times (weather permitting) at the same time of day retaining my initial inspiration.
It's all very exciting...I love people, horses, painting and the great outdoors!...That sums it up.
Norma Holmes
Norma Holmes, a native Californian, was born in Carmel. She sold her beloved horse farm in Pescadero, California and moved to the picturesque town of Sisters, Oregon in 1991. She was drawn to the Northwest and its beauty continues to inspire her painting.
Holmes, who has also worked in watercolor and oils, prefers painting with pastels. She is a signature member of the Northwest Pastel Society. Norma's work has been highlighted in the Pastel Journal in March 2004 and in March and July of 2001, The International Pastel Magazine in July 2002, and the Pastel Highlights American Artist's Collector"s Edition in 1997.
Her work has won many awards in national and international exhibits including a "Best of Show" in the Northwest Pastel Society International Juried Exhibit 1999 and a second place in American Women Artists International Competition 1998. She exhibited in the International Museum of the Horse in Lexington, Kentucky in 2003, the Pastel Society of America in New York in 2002, and "The Best and The Brightest" in Scottsdale, Arizona in 2004.
She studied at The Academy of Art in San Francisco and the University of California at Santa Cruz. She has done special studies with many renowned artists including Doug Dawson, Valoy Eaton, Kim English, Bob Gerbacht, Del Gish, Daniel Green, Lois Griffel, Albert Handel, Margaret Kessler, Joyce Pike, Susan Sarback, and Vladen Stiha.
Gallery Representation
Mockingbird Gallery, Bend, Oregon
Oceanic Gallery, Newport, Oregon
Valley Bronze Gallery, Joseph, Oregon
Exhibits & Awards
For a detailed resume of Norma's Exhibits and Awards please click here to view Norma's Awards page.