Tradescantia Nanouk is a large scale painting of a common house plant, depicted against a stark background to enhance not only the bold colours but also the organic and magical shape of its journey. My pieces are built up with multiple layers of oil glazes using minimal pigments and tones, culminating in a velvety surface interrupted with purposeful, smooth brush strokes. The close-cropped compositions determine the power and strength held by the subjects often considered soft and delicate. The evolution of the colour schemes and textures is allowed to emerge naturally through the layering of glazes, and subtle abstractions evolve organically from the figurative depiction. The final layers determine and solidify the textures, mood and depth. 

Dom Holmes

Message

Follow

My name is Dom Holmes. I am a queer, non binary multi-media artist living in East London with my wife and our beautiful senior beagle. I am a self-taught painter, working with traditional oil painting methods and minimal materials, specifically using glazes and colour theory to build depth and intensity of colour with the fewest pigments possible. My work reflects my ongoing fascination with the human connection to nature within an urban environment. My paintings depict botanical life found in city settings, and the relevance of seasonal wildlife and community amidst late-stage capitalism and the current climate crisis. I’m currently working on a series inspired by non indigenous and invasive plant-life and the impact on the environment, ecosystem and community. While I have been painting with oils as my primary practice since 2019, I have been an artist for over 20 years working across various mediums. You may know, recognise or even have some of my other work without even realising it. Throughout the years, my background in pen and ink drawing and tattooing has seen me collaborate with brands and companies, including designing the Royal Mint’s commemorative 50 pence piece, celebrating 50 years of Pride in the UK.