Christina Holmes was born in Warwickshire England in 1961, credits her grandfather
for influencing her painting. She studied a full range of the arts at college in England,
eventually focusing on commercial graphics.
In 1992, after a twelve year career in commercial art and illustration, she relocated
to California, and worked in marketing with a software firm. In an effort to find time
to escape the fact pace of life in Silicon Valley, she re-kindled her lifelong passion
for horses and learned the Western style of riding. Christina’s subsequent horseback
adventures have provided much of the inspiration for her paintings.
“Everything about horses and the West feels natural to me,” says Christina. “Maybe
I was a cowgirl in a previous life.” Moving out West and leaving behind her much
loved traditions, her new life in the United States drew her towards the cowboy
culture. After starting a family in 1995, Christina focused her design talents on
watercolors. Christina had now discovered a winning combination; being a mother
and maintaining her creative spirit while capturing the beauty of horses and the West.
Her horseback travels have taken her to Arizona, Utah, Wyoming and California.
Rodeos, ranches and trail rides provide the backdrop for her paintings.
Wickenburg, Arizona is the home of the Desert Caballeros Western Museum, where
Christina has shown her work at the Invitation only show, Cowgirl Up - Art from the other
Half of the West in 2009, 2010, 2011, and will be returning for 2012. This show began
a serious career path for Christina; She isn’t
Half of the West in 2009, 2010, 2011, and will be returning for 2012. This show began
a serious career path for Christina; She isn’t
looking back.
Christina received “First Place” in the watercolor category at the 2008 Grand National
Rodeo Art & Wine Show at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California. More
recently “First Place” in the May 2010 all media members show at the Pacific Art
League in Palo Alto, CA. She was also one of the juried artists to show in the 41st
California Watercolor Association National Exhibition, 2010 at the Presidio in
San Francisco, CA.
In the fall of 2010 Christina established an Artist in Residency position at the Allegro
Framing and Fine Art Gallery in Portola Valley, CA. Located in the center of horse
country, it’s the perfect fit for Christina. She now showcases her art permanently
at the gallery, in exquisite high quality frames, which she hand picks from the vast
collection available. Christina also does private commissions and currently shows in
Bay Area exhibitions to accommodate her busy family life although she has plans for
a much wider audience as her children grow up.
“Layers of watercolor glazes help me to achieve the vibrant colors, while
maintaining the translucency that watercolors require in order to glow. When
highlights truly come to life it is often due to careful placements of the darks
and the shadows. Creating a successful painting is like an allegory for living
life. If there are no dark moments, you won’t feel the joy and light as deeply.
” I live and paint with a masterpiece in mind, which is what I strive for each
time I pick up a brush.”
