About the Artist

Abstract painter Marcia Holmes celebrates now 26 years since first making her mark in 1999 with her first Solo show on the north shore of New Orleans, where she now lives and paints in Mandeville, Louisiana.   One hundred yards from the Tchefuncte River is her home studio.  Her most recent works are large scale abstract paintings in oil, pastel, acrylic and mixed media on canvas.  2021 NEWS: EMINENT PASTELIST AWARD-International Association of Pastel Societies will grant IAPS/EP status to this artist after receiving awards or participating in 15 IAPS Pastel Exhibitions!!  

“A self realization of the magnetic connectivity I have to life around water emerges in my new abstract expressionist works and continued impressionist paintings.  To express in form through the power of gestural strokes, organic forms, neutrals and my love of color, I’ve allowed myself a new freedom-improvisation, that resonates from within, something close to my true nature.  My wish is for the viewers to have a connectivity to the feeling of  ‘grace in space’ and a comfortable place to rest your eyes!”

Ten years ago, respected writer, Robert Carsten wrote in an extensive feature article in The Pastel Journal: “Marcia Holmes creates energetic and eloquent, painterly passages...consistently achieves a rhythmic sense of movement...can turn the slightest gesture into an intricate ballet of form, strong, graceful and mesmerizing.”  The same holds true today with rhythm and movement in SYNCOPATION and Anecdotes from Water's Edge, both Solo Exhibitions at The Degas Gallery, New Orleans, LA with accompanying catalogues and poetry. 

Master Pastelist & Signature member of Pastel Society of America, EMINENT PASTELIST & Master Circle designation of International Pastel Societies, Holmes has studied recently in a Juried Masters Residency with Steve Aimone, a highly regarded author and teacher of abstract painting.    She has been honored with countless awards (please see tab "Distinctions").  Marcia was invited to be a juror of selection for the prestigious  Pastel Society of America 50th Anniversary Exhibition, 2022, NYC.  She was also the Juror of Abstracts for the Pastel Journal Magazines 25th Anniversary Pastel 100. 

Selected featured publications include Fine Art Connoisseur -“Great Art Worldwide/Visions of Nature-Marcia Holmes-Verdant Spaces”-May/June 2024, Vol 21, Issue 3,  Pastel Journal - “Founders Award” (2022), Fine Art Connoisseur-“Off the Walls - New Orleans/Marcia Holmes” (Nov/Dec. 2022), “Art Abounds in New Orleans” (2014); Practique des Arts - “Impression Monet” (June, 2022);  American Art Collector-“Stylistic Diversity” (2012); Inside New Orleans (2015 Cover-5 Covers-Inside Northside); Art Journey Abstract Painting: A Celebration of Contemporary Art, and Pure Color 2 (F+W Media, Inc.).

Marcia has participated in gallery shows, national juried shows, and multiple museum shows.  Selected exhibitions include the Ogden Museum of Southern Art-Louisiana Contemporary 2018, New Orleans, LA;  Customs House Museum, Clarksville, TN, Butler Institute of American Art-Ohio; Lauren Rogers Museum of Art (Permanent Collection) & LRMA 100th Year Anniversary Invitational Exh. 2023-Miss., Festival International du Pastel, Limoges(Feytiat) & Salon du Pastel Exhibition Internationale-Giverny, France;  Vose Galleries, Boston; Salmagundi Club and National Arts Club, New York City.

“What I desire to paint is endless...what I take time to paint is my passion!”