One of the most prolific plein-air painters in Central Oregon opens her Sisters studio this weekend.
Taking a left off of Varco Road to Norma Holmes’ place outside of Sisters is a great example of why locals call Central Oregon home. Pulling into her driveway offers one of the most picturesque views of the Cascade Range. It’s no wonder Holmes is one of the most prolific plein-air painters in Central Oregon. All she has to do is walk out her front door to find views people come from all over the world to experience.
In this day and age, it’s hard finding an artist who is still making a living solely through the sale of their artwork. Her winning formula of painting Oregon’s rare beauty and living in the midst of it all has contributed to her ongoing success. Holmes will host an Open Studio and Art Sale on Saturday, June 23; from 10am to 7pm. Visitors will have a rare opportunity to take a glimpse into the studio of one of Central Oregon’s finest pastel artists.
“I met so many interesting people during last year’s open house,” said Holmes from her living room. “It’s given me an opportunity to meet more of my collectors.” Represented by Mockingbird Gallery in Bend, 15 of Holmes’ paintings will be brought to her home from the gallery’s inventory. Another 20 paintings will come from her private collection. Many of the pieces are framed and ready to hang, with the exception of additional pieces hanging on her studio walls that she calls “refined studies.” They are for sale either framed or unframed.
“Those are images that I painted on my travels and will be included in a book project I’ve been working on for the past four year,” said Holmes. All of them have been professionally photographed and are destined to be included in Holmes’ painted travel journal and art resource directory of Central and Eastern Oregon.
Her book project offers something unique in the travel book market. “I’ve never seen a travel guide that has the areas shown as paintings,” she said. Holmes covers all aspects of painting-friendly travel.
She features various destinations and insider’s tips about lodging, great places to eat and directions. Images in the book include the Steens Mountains, Hood River the Jordan Valley and many local images.
Currently, Holmes’ paintings sell for $650 to $3,500 in Mockingbird Gallery. This show will feature unframed studies starting at $400 to $850. Framed studies range in price from $550 to $850. Her fine, original pastel paintings in the sale start at $850 and go up to $2,500. She will also have giclee images for sale and will have greeting card images available.
At the sale Holmes is offering an opportunity to take home one of her pieces free of charge. She will have a drawing for a giclee from an original pastel titled “June Morning, Mt. Bachelor.” Guests can enter the drawing by submitting their contact information. The drawing will take place at 5:30pm the evening of the June 23.
Holmes is looking forward to meeting visitors and giving them the opportunity to see her work where it all begins. Meeting an artist in her home and purchasing a piece of original art from the artist with the opportunity to talk about the piece and the inspiration for it is not as common as it used to be. “I’m happy to talk about the process of finishing a fine art piece as well as sharing where these special places are around Central Oregon,” she said.
Visit Holmes’ Web site at http://normaholmes.com or call Mockingbird Gallery at 541-388-2107 to RSVP and get additional information and directions to the Open Studio.