Ekua Holmes | Artist's Statement

Like many artists I am inspired by the world around me. The planet is one big source of inspiration. A lot of my work is figurative right now. I can be driving down the street and see a group of people and the way they are standing and talking to each other. What they are wearing – I see a painting! I see something that I want to share. “Do you see this? Do you see how beautiful that child’s face is? Did you see that old man? How he tipped his hat? Pearl Bailey said, “People see God everyday, they just don’t recognize Him.” To find these expressions of humanity, I don’t have to go far. As Bearden said, "All I have to do is look out of my window."

Now that I’ve been working for awhile, I realize that so many artists past and present, have embraced the same subjects that I explore — families, childhood, relationships, hope and faith. But each of us bring a uniquely fresh approach. Artists are constantly looking at and enjoying each other's work and being inspired by it. The creative impulse is inexhaustible and must be shared.

My Goals are to make masterful works of art that speak with love and caring to the world, to support others who have a calling in the arts, to travel the world and see all of the wonderful ways that we are different and alike in the human family. I see myself as a part of the long continuum of visual expression. Someone who came before me opened my eyes and someone who has come after me is watching me now. In this way we pass the burning torch from generation to generation. Lighting up the world along the way.