About Cynthia Holmes

Artist Statement

My work at the base level is about space, light and the creation of illusion in space.

In the series of fantasy flora and fauna I am trying to make something that doesn't exist in the physical world look like it does exist. I am painting a section of a field so you are seeing part of a larger scene.

This series was born in a botany class as a result of experiments with colored lights and how they affected the growth of plants. From this and study of cactii and succulents came the idea ....what would plants look like if some of the environmental elements were changed like gravity, movement, food collection and distribution, self-awarness and leaf design.

This idea brought forth many visual images and eventually evolved into a visual language and those forms intermingle with my reading and are sometimes and sometimes not used as commentary on life observations.

In the last few years I have added aerial perspective to better conform to the space and light issues I seek. I have grayed the palette and added layers to the landscape.

I also paint earthly dramas with people, animals and everday objects.

Education: Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi, Bachelor of Fine Art, With Honors, 1993
Renaissance School, Los Angeles, California 1980
Frank Covino Workshop, 1995,1996
Solo Exhibitions: 2005 Two To Too, Buchanan Gallery, Galveston, TX
1999 Voyages, Art Museum of South Texas, Corpus Christi, TX, Catalogue
1997 Mythical Place, Wilhelmi Holland Gallery at The Small Planet, Corpus Christi, TX
Selected Group Exhibitions: 2009 Escape into Landscape Selections from the Permanent Collection, Art Museum of South Texas, Corpus Christi, Tx
Merry & Bright, Wilhelmi-Holland Gallery, Corpus Christi, TX

2008 Art Center Invitational, Corpus Christi, TX
For Thine Eyes Only, Wilhelmi Holland Gallery, Corpus Christi, TX

2006 Tickle My Fancy, Wilhelmi Holland Gallery, Corpus Christi, TX
Go Red for Women Photography Exhibit, Art Museum of South Texas, Corpus Christi, TX

2005 Xmas Xhibit 05 Our Twentieth Season, Wilhelmi Holland Gallery, Corpus Christi, TX

2004 Christmas Show, Wilhelmi Holland Gallery, Corpus Christi, TX
Sixth National Juried Exhibition, Ceres Gallery, New York, NY

2003 Small Wonders, Wilhelmi Holland Gallery, Corpus Christi, TX
Christmas Show Gallery Artist, Wilhelmi Holland Gallery, Corpus Christi, TX

2002 9 Points of View, Del Rio Council for the Arts at the Firehouse, Del Rio, TX

2001 Kitch-N-Art, Texarkana Regional Art Center, Texarkana, TX

2000 Las Comadres: Boundaries, Texas A&M University Kingsville, Kingsville, TX

1999 Beginnings: Preview the New, Wilhelmi Holland Gallery, Corpus Christi, TX
Juror's Choice, Women and Their Work, Austin, TX
Nine Points of View, Art Museum of South Texas, Corpus Christi, TX, Catalogue

1998 Juror’s Choice, Women and Their Work, Austin, TX
Kitch-N-Art, Galvan House, Corpus Christi, TX

1997 Corpus Christi Foundation Competition and Exhibition, South Texas Institute for the Arts , Corpus Christi, TX
Great Expectations, Wilhelmi Holland Gallery, Corpus Christi, TX
Navarro Council of the Arts 14th Annual National Juried Exhibition, Warehouse Living Arts Center, Corsicana, TX
Molcajete: A Blending of Cultures and Friendships, Galvan House, Corpus Christi, TX

1996 Present Perfect A Show for the Season, Wilhelmi Holland Gallery, Corpus Christi, TX
National Small Works Exhibition, Schoharie County Arts Council, Cobleskill, NY
Pictures at an Exhibition, Wilhelmi Holland Gallery, Corpus Christi, TX

1995 Christmas Show, Wilhelmi Holland Gallery, Corpus Christi, TX

1994 Compelling Spaces, Laguna Gloria Art Museum, Austin, TX, Catalogue
Room With A Few: (Artist), Wilhelmi Holland Gallery, Corpus Christi, TX
Memory & Desire: The Window, Texas Fine Arts Association, Austin, TX
Ruby & Fritz, Wilhelmi Holland Gallery, Corpus Christi, TX

1993 Christmas Show, Wilhelmi Holland Gallery, Corpus Christi, TX
BFA Exhibition, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX
Scene, Wilhelmi Holland Gallery, Corpus Christi, TX
Interior Landscapes-Three Viewpoints, Bright Shawl, San Antonio, TX

1992 Christmas Show, Wilhelmi Holland Gallery, Corpus Christi, TX
Wet Paint, Florals and Foliage, Wilhelmi Holland Gallery, Corpus Christi, TX
18th Annual Student Art Show, Weil Gallery, Corpus Christi, TX

1991 Honorary Show, Art Center of Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX
Independent Show, Art Center of Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX
Selected Invitational Benefit Exhibitions: 2006 -2009 five X seven, Arthouse at the Jones Center, Austin, TX
2005 Red Hot Red Dot Sale, Women and Their Work, Austin, TX
2003 Red Hot Red Dot Sale, Women and Their Work, Austin, TX
2002 Red Hot Red Dot Sale, Women and Their Work, Austin, TX
1999 Red Hot Red Dot Sale, Women and Their Work, Austin, TX
1997 Healing Wings Benefit Show, William Campbell Contemporary Art, Ft. Worth, TX
1992 Second Nature, Adair Margo Gallery, El Paso, TX
Honors and Awards: Award Winner Schoharie County National Small Works Exhibition, Cobleskill, New York, 1996
First Place - Oil Painting, Cash Award, Independent Show, Art Center of Corpus Christi, 1991
Third Place-Works on Canvas, Cash Award, All Member Show, Art Center of Corpus Christi, 1992
Publications: The Legacy Continues 1927-2006 Art Museum of South Texas
American Heart Association Go Red for Women 2006 Calendar
Corpus Christi Caller Times, March 18, 1999, written by Paige Ross, Artist's Fantastic Vision Mixes Realistic Images With the Surreal
Corpus Christi Caller Times'', June 17, 1999, written by Paige Ross, The Art of Las Comadres
Collections: Art Museum of South Texas
Ronald Mc Donald House Austin
Numerous Private Collections