Seeing the light
Last updated 11:42, Thursday, 29 May 2008
From landscape paintings to large installations using fabric and UV light, to insects made out of recycled cans, artist Ann Holmes has produced a huge variety of work in a short space of time.
Perhaps the 55-year-old is making up for lost time. Being a full-time artist was a distant dream for many years for Ann, from Workington, who worked in upholstery factories in West Cumbria for more than 30 years.
She took a chance, enrolled on an art course, and found her forte. She received an MA in fine art in 2006, runs her own business – Moss Bay Arts – and exhibits locally.
Her paintings, currently on show at The Gincase Gallery, in Mawbray near Silloth, are inspired by the sun and skies in West Cumbria. Ann explains: “I love painting with pastels, and these are landscape paintings inspired by the area we live in. I am fascinated by the sky which can cast different moods, whether it’s romantic or dramatic. You don’t need to go abroad for sunsets – at Allonby or Silloth there are absolutely beautiful sunsets.”
As well as painting, Ann creates installations using fabric. For her MA show, she used net fabric illuminated by UV light, which was triggered when someone entered the space. “It was about how we build barriers between ourselves and other people, and how we hide behind clothes.
“I’ve found people don’t accept contemporary art here as easily as they do in London, and there isn’t really a gallery that can accommodate that size of installation, so I also do more traditional paintings.”
She also won a Recycle for Cumbria award last year for her butterflies made out of cans, which were so popular she now sells them. “I want to raise awareness of litter. People regard things as waste, when in fact something beautiful can be made out of it.”
Ann grew up in a creative household. Her dad had a talent for drawing and her mum made all the children’s clothes, and taught Ann how to sew before she had started school. “My mum was very practical and could turn her hand to anything like embroidery or tapestry, and I suppose I inherited talent from both my parents.”
She left school at 14 and for years worked in upholstery factories in West Cumbria, making everything from blouses for high street shops to Goretex jackets, and brought up her three children with husband David.
Ann was in her late 40s and working at Linden Upholstery when she accompanied her daughter-in-law to an open evening at West Cumbria College (now the Lakes College). A stall for the art department caught her eye and with the encouragement of staff and her family, enrolled on a two year art foundation course, followed by a degree.
“My boss at Linden was fantastic, and allowed me to be flexible with my hours. He was so encouraging too. Doing something you enjoy is different, it isn’t work but a pleasure, so although I was busy it didn’t matter to me.
“Finishing the degree would have meant travelling to Carlisle, and I realised I couldn’t juggle the two.”
So Ann gave up work, and embarked properly on her new journey. She completed her degree and MA and now teaches adult education art and craft classes, and runs community workshops.
Ann adds: “I love what I do, and believe you should never give up on your dream. I often hear people saying it’s too late to start something new, but I’ve shown you’re never too old.”
See Ann’s work at The Gincase today and tomorrow.
