Four Brown Chairs 2020

Jammie Holmes painted this interior scene, "Four Brown Chairs," using a palette that’s both constrained and vibrant, a kind of controlled explosion. The paint application is direct, honest; you can see the hand of the artist in every stroke. There’s something about the thick, opaque quality of the paint that gives the scene a tactile presence. The black and white checkered floor creates a kind of dizzying foundation, while the patterned wallpaper hums with a visual energy. Look at the way Holmes renders the figures in solid blocks of color, their forms simplified yet full of character. The brown of the chairs is echoed in the skin tones, a unifying element that brings a sense of harmony to the composition. Holmes shares affinities with painters like Alice Neel, who found beauty in the everyday and weren’t afraid to embrace a raw, expressive style. Like Neel, Holmes invites us to see the world through his eyes, with all its messiness and beauty. Art is a conversation, and Holmes is adding his voice to the mix, loud and clear.