About the Artist
Hello, thank you for visiting my site. My name is Barbara Holmes, although on my artwork you will just see B. Holmes. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest I'm and Oregonian at heart but I have moved around and traveled quite alot in the last decade, my mom thinks I must be part gypsy. Now we have moved our family from Steamboat Springs Colorado to Talkeetna Alaska. I began coming to Alaska in 1999. Working at Denali Natl. park for the summer I fell in love with the state of Alaska. I came back a few times and knew someday I would be back for good, I just didn't know it would be so soon. After our son Jaxon Andrew was born in August of 2004 it was time to start planning the move and here we are 3 years later, loving it!
I've always been creative but I didn't know until college how interested I was in art. While working towards (and almost finishing) a graphic design degree in Oregon I realized fine arts was more the direction I wanted to go. I have yet to go back to school but that has not kept me from being an artist. Starting with handmade greeting cards, bookmarks and painted furniture, I've dabbled in a little of everything. I enjoy art the most when it's practicle, useful or recycled from something else. That is why handpainted furniture is my favorite.As you can see I have now found batik as well. I love to see kids around town wearing my Baby Bugs shirts and onesies.
Well here we are in Alaska loving every minute of beauty and wildlife around us. You can find me hiking, playing or working hard in my studio here in Talkeetna. I'm also keeping busy in our little community as a member of the Talkeetna Artists' Guild, The Talkeetna Playground Project and a volenteer/board member at our "Community Free Box". If you ever get a chance to visit look for my batiked T's or handpainted furniture in local gift shops. Feel free to contact me with any questions or for more information about what is available from Mountntop Designs.
We have a new addition to our family, Hawken J. was born Jan. 11th 2008 here in Alaska!
HAWKEN J.
Jaxon is a proud big brother!
Me with my boys Jax and Andy at the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau Alaska,
fall 2005.
Here we are at the Susitna river, August 2006, my mom was visiting us.
**Thank you to my two favorite men in the world; my handyman and "Tech Support" Andrew McIlvaine and our adorable little man cubs & my inspiration, Jaxon and Hawken. I couldn't do it without you boys... Also a big Thank You to my parents and John & Barbara McIlvaine for all thier support.
Well that is our family, Thanx for visiting my site!
The butterfly at the top is a detail from a larger oil on canvas.