Artist offers studio open house

Taking a left off Varco Road to Norma Holmes' place outside of Sisters, visitors get a great example of why folks live here. Pulling into her driveway offers one of the most picturesque views of the Cascade Range. It's no wonder Holmes is one of the most prolific plein-air painters in Central Oregon. All she has to do is walk out her front door to find views people come from all over the world to see.

Holmes will be sharing this wonderful place when she hosts an Open Studio and Art Sale on Saturday, June 18, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visitors will have a rare opportunity to take a glimpse into the studio of one of Central Oregon's finest pastel artists.

"A lot of people who own my paintings have never met me," she said. "I'd love to meet more of my collectors."

Holmes is represented by Mockingbird Gallery in Bend. Seventeen of her pieces come from the gallery's inventory and will be brought to her home. Another 20 paintings will come from her own collection. Many of the pieces are framed and ready to hang, with the exception of pieces hanging on her studio walls that she calls "refined studies." They are for sale either framed or unframed.

"Those are images that I painted on my travels, and will be included in a book project I've been working on for the past three years," said Holmes.

All of them have been professionally photographed and are destined to be included in Holmes' painted travel journal and art resource directory of Central and Eastern Oregon.

"The reason I'm doing this big sale is so I can keep traveling and working on my book," said Holmes.

Her book project offers something unique: "I've never seen a travel guide that has the areas shown as paintings," she said.

Holmes covers all aspects of painting-friendly travel. She features various destinations and insider's tips about lodging, great places to eat and directions. Images in the book include the Steens Mountains, Hood River, the Jordan Valley and many local images.

At the sale, Holmes is offering an opportunity to take home one of her pieces free of charge. She will have a drawing for a giclée from an original pastel titled "Faith, Hope, and Charity." Guests can enter the drawing by submitting their contact information. The drawing will take place at 5:30 p.m., June 18.

Holmes has won numerous awards over the years and is also a highly sought-after painting instructor. She will be teaching three different art classes this summer. On July 17-19, she'll teach a plein-air basics class at her home. On August 17-19, she'll instruct students on the art of capturing water on location with pastels. On September 17-19, she'll take students to the Steens Mountains to paint in some of the most spectacular scenery in Oregon. During the Steens trip, students will stay in one of Norma's favorite places, the Hotel Diamond. Details for all three classes are on her website at www.

normaholmes.com or call Mockingbird Gallery at 541-388-2107 to RSVP and get additional information and directions to the open studio.