Check out Andrea Holmes’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Holmes.

Andrea, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I have always had several jobs at once (including working on the TV show Cheaters), until just last year when I became a full-time artist. It still seems surreal. I’ve wanted to be a full-time artist forever and would study other artists under a microscope who were. How do you get there?! For me it has been a lot of hard work and the support of family and friends. Did I mention the hard work? ⠀

I graduated from Collin College with an Associates in Arts and from the University of Texas at Dallas with a Bachelors in Arts and Technology. It wasn’t easy to find a job when I graduated, thus the odd jobs. Nonetheless, I perused art in my free time. I kept taking art classes at the community college for personal enrichment, and let me tell you, they have some of the best professors. This is where I discovered painting and within a few years I opened my first Etsy shop and did my first festival.

I live in Anna, Texas with my husband, two year old daughter, Great Dane, and cat. I have a beautiful home studio, but recently I just started leasing studio space inside of Bay Willow Design in downtown McKinney! I had an open house, and when everyone left and I was sitting at my desk admiring the space I said, “Fuck yes!” My heart is singing and joyous when I wake up and get to come to the studio. It is such a great feeling to be able to follow my dreams and create every day. I don’t know how long it will last, but I am going to soak up and take advantage of every moment!

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I love to paint birds. People ask, “Why birds?” I didn’t choose the bird life, the bird life choose me! It started as a project in college and has turned into a full blown obsession. I now stare out the window exclaiming, “Ooo, a chickadee!” Not sure how I became a bird nerd, but it happened. They are all over my house. My goal this year is to get to 100 birds!

I also love all things vintage from the 50’s and 60’s. I create paintings focusing on beautiful, curved, candy coated objects from the past. They bring me joy. ⠀
⠀
I think that is the biggest reason I paint. Joy. It brings me joy to paint and I hope my little paintings bring joy into other’s lives!

What do you think it takes to be successful as an artist?
Perseverance is key. Just keep moving forward. Becoming a mother has taught me that doing little things is enough. I might only get 30 minutes here, an hour there, but I use that time to check something off my list. Even if it is the easiest thing on there, it is still making progress.

Networking has also been essential to my career. I have not figured out the online market. There is so much out there! It can be very intimidating. I do know when I do a festival and get to meet my customers I make lasting relationships. They become collectors and that is a big part of my business.

If you want to get better at something, do a 30 day challenge. I recently did a 30 day portrait challenge and it really pushes you to develop as an artist!

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
BRICK & MORTAR

A. Holmes ArtStudio
Inside of Bay Willow Design
222. E. Virginia St.
McKinney, Texas 75069

Patina Green (Bird Collection)
116 N Tennessee St #102,
McKinney, TX 75069

Filtered (Vintage Collection)
218 E Louisiana St,
McKinney, TX 75069

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram @aholmesartstudio
Facebook facebook.com/aholmesartstudio

UPCOMING FESTIVALS

Arts in Bloom
Downtown McKinney, Texas
Fri. April 13th
Sat. April 14th
Sunday, April 15th

ArtScape
The Dallas Arboretum
Fri., April 27th (Preview Night)
Sat., April 28th
Sun., April 29th

Allen Arts Festival
Friday, May 11th, 4 – 8 PM
Saturday, May 12th, 10 AM – 8 PM
Sunday, May 13th, 12 – 6 PM

WORKSHOPS
aholmesartstudio.com/workshops

EMAIL LIST FOR UPDATES
https://www.aholmesartstudio.com/email

Contact Info:

• Address: A. Holmes Art Studio (Inside of Bay Willow Design)
  222. E. Virginia St.
  McKinney, Texas 75069
• Website: aholmesartstudio.com
• Phone: 469-712-4126
• Email: aholmesartstudio@gmail.com
• Instagram: aholmesartstudio
• Facebook: facebook.com/aholmesartstudio

Image Credit:
Andrea Holmes

Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.