Biography:
Steve Holmes carves images in a style inspired by the rich art legacy of Pacific Northwest Native Craftsmen. His carvings are patterned after Tlingit, Haida, Coastal Salish, Tsimshian and Mezo-American designs. Steve began carving after retiring from commercial aviation in 1999. His neighbor and master carver, Marge Newell, encouraged him to carve in her studio and became Steve's mentor. She introduced him to her longtime instructor, Jim Ploughman, and Steve was invited to join Marg in Jim's carving class.
Steve began making bronze images of his carvings several years ago while studying carving and bronzing with Jesus Hernandez at the Instituto de Allende in San Miguel de Allende Mexico. He began experimenting with bronze patinas with a professional bronze artist who was also taking the class. The artist, a lively character, introduced Steve to some historically early methods and materials. Steve's first patina medium was human urine!
Currently Steve carves at his home on Whidbey Island, and works with foundries on Whidbey Island and in Oregon. Steve uses yellow cedar, red cedar, alder and cherry to carve his images. Lynn Swanson, a well-known bronze artist on Whidbey Island, has added her beautiful patina work to several of Steve's pieces. Steve has only recently began offering selected bronze pieces for sale. We hope you enjoy his work.
