Bio

Leon Holmes was not, by his own admission, a very attentive school student. “But the strange thing was” says Leon, “the punishment for misbehaving in class was a trip to the art room. I soon realised the naughtier I was, the more time I got to spend painting.”

Born and brought up in Perth, Western Australia, Leon Holmes left school with excellent technical drawing skills but chose instead to start a four year apprenticeship with a screen printer. It was the ideal opportunity to learn and perfect the precise science of mixing colours. This was followed by a three year course in graphic design, illustration and art direction. When he’s not painting, Leon works as a freelance art director for Perth ad agencies and his own direct clients.

“I find that with painting, inspiration is everywhere. There’s no need to think up the subject matter for a painting. You just have to look around you.”

Leon has travelled extensively but so far his portfolio remains distinctly Australian. “I love this place too much to leave it,” he says; “I’m always drawn back to the magical colours of the Australian.”

Leon has virtually circumnavigated Australia in his mobile home/studio and has explored some of the most remote landscapes - and seascapes - the country has to offer from the rain forests of Tasmania to the dry deserts of the red centre. Having gained his coxswain’s ticket as well as a small boat masters licence, he has also sailed to several islands off the north west coast, meeting many characters along the way.

Leon paints mostly in oils and more recently uses pastels to quickly capture the essence of light. He uses colours he describes as Pilbara red, Flinders violet and Australian gold as well as more conventional tones such as ultramarine, turquoise, pastel pinks and a range of light enhancing yellows and luscious greens.

“You have to be there and be a part of it. I’m forever looking at and studying my surroundings. I can’t even enjoy a simple sunset without studying some part of it.”

Leon used to take photographs as ‘sketches’ for his works but is now comfortable using brief pencil and pastel drawings to capture the scene. He does however carry a camera everywhere he goes and some of his photographs have been published alongside some of WA´s finest landscape photographers in a book called Red Dust in her Veins about the role of women of the Pilbara region.

Leon has also recently taken to penning the occasional poem.

Although not wishing to be categorised, Leon best describes himself as being among the “new Aussie impressionists”. A recent showing at the ‘G’Day USA’ black-tie function and a commission for over 200 pieces for builder/developer Multiplex have raised awareness of one of WA’s most important artists to a point where his works are in demand as personal and corporate purchases as well as lots in charitable auctions.

Education and Employment

  • Certifcate of Trade in Screen Printing.
  • 3 year Diploma at the School of Art and Design, majoring in illustration and advertising.
  • ADA Ad School (The Creative Process).
  • 5 years working as an Art Director and in-house illustrator for one of WA’s leading advertising agencies working on projects from press advertising and comics to storyboarding and directing TV commercials for large blue-chip clients.
  • April 2004, full-time concentration on painting.

Awards

  • 4 years running Screen Printing Apprentice of the year.
  • 1998 1st place National Ilford Photography Award.
  • 1999 1st place National Aids Council Poster design.
  • 1999 1st place National Print Poster Awards.

Clientele

  • Multiplex Living
  • G’Day USA
  • Grandridge PTY
  • Delta Petroleum Services
  • The Western Australian Club
  • Vasse Felix ‘Healing Hearts Foundation’ charity auction 2004

Advertising and illustrations for:

  • Heiniken Classic
  • Hopman Cup
  • Ross North Homes
  • Royal Flying Doctor Service
  • Action Supermarkets
  • West Australian Local Government Assoc.
  • City of Swan
  • Healthways
  • Heart Foundation of WA
  • Video Ezy

Exhibitions

  • 2003 Solo Exhibition - Home Studio North Beach
  • 2004 Solo Exhibition - The West Australia Club
  • 2005 Group Exhibition - Gallery 360 Subiaco
  • 2005 Solo Exhibition - Little Creatures
  • 2007 Solo Exhibition - Fremantle Emporium Art Café (Autumn)
  • 2007 Solo Exhibition - Fremantle Emporium Art Café (Spring)
  • 2007 Charity - Leeuwin 25yr Celebration
  • 2008 G’Day USA - Waldorf Hotel New York
  • 2008 Solo Exhibition - Multiplex commissions - Oyster Bar on the Beach
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