Ash Holmes

If you’re looking for Northern Beaches artist Ash Holmes, you’ll mostly find her listening to music and composing stunning masterpieces in her Brookvale studio. Drawing on inspiration from her local environment, it’s no surprise this painter’s eye-catching canvases hang in homes and galleries all over the world.

As a fourth generation of female artists, creativity runs deep in the blood of young Curl Curl artist, Ash Holmes.

“Being creative was always supported within my family,” she says. “I loved playing the guitar when I was younger. I connected with drawing in my early years at school.”

Having grown up on the Northern Beaches, it’s easy to see how the local landscape has become Ash’s muse.

“I grew up on Guringai Land, Curl Curl, and I’d say it’s impacted my process, being close to natural materials and curvaceous shapes in the natural landscape. I enjoy painting with a grounded colour palette and textures that relate to nature.”

All of Ash’s paintings, often largescale canvases with acrylic paint, are captivating and calm with a feminine force. Many depict a gentle fl ow of movement and colour and tap into the harmonious tones of her environment.

“I want people to interpret (my art) uniquely based on their own individual experience,” she says. “When I’m painting, I feel a sense of joy, peace, and relief so I wish for those emotions to be projected onto the piece.”

COLOUR MAGIC

Beyond the brush, Ash uses her research in colour psychology to give her works a sensory effect.

“Each artwork will project a different experience for the viewer. It can potentially alter their mood depending on the colour psychology of the piece,” she explains. With sell-out exhibitions across Sydney, Byron Bay, and Marbella, Ash’s pieces are also held in private collections in Australia, New Zealand, US, Denmark, Canada, Singapore, Dubai, Germany, Hong Kong, West Africa, France, Japan, China, and Spain.

She was a fi nalist in the Combat Prize and Mosman Art Prize, and in 2021, Ash was chosen as the resident artist for the Harbord Hotel in Freshwater. Probably even more impressive is the fact that she is self-taught.

“Ever since I was young, I’ve been a hands-on learner,” says Ash. “Being able to physically create my vision is something that goes hand in hand with my personality. Taking a thought and turning it into something you can view comes naturally! I act quite intuitively in my life when making decisions, and I feel that is how the process of my work goes, too.”

It’s no surprise Ash is happiest when she’s creating and painting in her Brookvale studio.

“My happy place really is a day in my studio painting,” she smiles. “Reading, listening to music, and pottering around my studio. Working towards a body of work is fulfi lling, meditative, and fi lls up my cup. I feel energised and clear-minded when I’ve had a day to myself painting and doing these small rituals in my studio.”

If you’re an aspiring young artist looking for advice from one of the best, Ash says, “Keep pushing yourself into new avenues that feel out of your comfort zone and enjoy the journey each step of the way.” •

1/275 HARBORD ROAD, BROOKVALE // INSTA: @ASHHOLMESART HELLO@ASHLEIGHHOLMES.COM // www.ashleighholmes.com