Vanessa Julie Holmes

Artistic background

I have been painting and drawing since 2007. For two years I followed various courses held by an art teacher and artist in her own right, who became a dear friend, now sadly passed, Susan Keverne. I mainly paint for personal pleasure. Painting totally absorbs me, I leave the world behind and lose track of time when I am working on a picture. I also sell my work. Although I started painting in France I transferred to Italy
in 2019, and have exhibited some of my paintings in in various venues in my locality. I love to work in oil pastels and acrylics. I choose Sennelier oil pastels which are wonderful to work with! Their richness of colour and consistency remind me of lipsticks! I love to blend the colours with my finger tips. I usually begin with a base painting in acrylics, then I revert to oil pastels.....I don't have a particular style, although I am told my work is 'recognisable' in its boldness and colour. I paint what inspires me at the time, but I especially love the female form, Venetian masks and of course flowers, usually from my own garden. My only wish is that I had more time to paint!