A Trip to the Library

I can hardly believe it but today, it’s official – I am a published writer! In an official printed magazine! An art magazine that people buy for their enjoyment! Not only that but I have a 4-page spread with my ACTUAL words on it, in print, in a magazine that people can hold in their hands, a magazine that they have paid money to read!

I’ve been waiting to see it in print before I said anything because I didn’t believe that it was happening, that the words I wrote, submitted, and had multiple conversations about, actually would go out in print – but they did, they are and they are in a magazine!

It arrived on my doorstep today. I was out having coffee with a wonderful friend, having a lovely catch-up and a laugh. I even talked about the article with her and said I was waiting for the print. I can’t believe it was at home waiting for me all that time! On my return, my husband said “You have post” and from that point on, well I became a little incoherent and more than a little squeaky. To say I was excited was an understatement. But honestly to say that I am proud of ME. I wrote an article, and it’s in print, and people will read it.

So, thank you Art etc Magazine, thank you for taking a chance on me and giving me space to talk, I hope I make you and your readers proud.

And yes I realise this is a pretty lame post but – I’m excited! I did a thing and I’m excited, I did a thing and I’m proud of myself, I did a thing and my husband is proud of me (Yes I know he was anyway but well, this is exciting) !!

Oh and can I just say, that my profile picture – was taken by my amazing photographer husband Rob. He is used to taking images of moving cars on a racetrack, he had to readjust and take an image, of me standing still. Isn’t he clever, give him a look on Instagram too and see for yourself!

Last day of College!

Well, this is it, after 3 years, today will be the very last day of attending Art Academy East Art College for a dedicated learning experience in Art and Design.

an image showing 7 small hexagons, arranged as one large hexagon, all painted with brightly colour florals abstract images.
Petals through Time : Natures Graffiti 1 to 7

I have enjoyed my time here, learnt so much and made some great friends. There have been ups and downs, highs and lows, laughter and tears and the stress I have put myself under to complete projects, has been unreal! But would I change any of it – No – not a bit. To have been in the company of a group of adults for 3 years, all there for the same reason, to learn has been fantastic. I can’t put a price on the learning experience in the same room as other like-minded people.

My 3 years may be ending today in class, but we will be gathering again to exhibit our final projects in July, There will be free-standing painted panels, ceramics, and hanging canvases. Many of the items will be on sale.

The Exhibition will be at The Forum Norwich on 5th, 6th & 7th July 2024.

Image showing two hexagonal ceramic pots, with a deep orange glaze depicting a yellow flower on one and a bee on the other.
Ceramic Vase and Trinket Pot

After this, there are no plans to take another in-person paid course, at this time, but never say never! I do however have many many many paid online courses that have sat around gathering internet dust that I might be able to dedicate some time to. I would like to get back to making art for pleasure rather than for coursework, which will allow me to continue my art growth journey to becoming a regularly selling artist.

“The last day at college sparks the beginning of my artistic adventures”

Donna Holmes 2024

So please do mark your diaries and come along to the Forum, on 5, 6, & 7th July to see our final project works, we will all be there too ready to chat with visitors to the show.


Art Exhibition 30th May – 7th June 2024

I have been busy gathering works ready for an exhibition taking place in Holt Norfolk from Thursday 30th May to Friday 7th June at Kings Court Care Home, Holt.

The exhibition is open to the public between noon and 5pm, entrance is free, refreshments such as tea, coffee, juices and pastries are available in the community cafe. Artworks from a number of local artists will be on show, including photographs, paintings, sculpture and jewellery, with 10% of any sale proceeeds going to Norfolk Charity, The Black Dog Music Project. This charity helps people with disabilities to access music sessions, where main stream access isnt available for them.

I am submitting several small pieces of work, that feature Nature and Seascapes in watercolours or acrylics. I have watercolours featuring Cromer, Overstrand and Mundesley. Acrylics featuring floral elements, tulips, poppies and abstracted flowers too.

an image showing several framed and canvas paintings, of seascapes and floral works by the artist Donna Holmes

I am excited to be supporting this exhibition. The facility, opened just 5 weeks ago, cares for residents with various stages of dementia. A condition close to my heart as my own Nan suffered with multiple forms, and in my work life at the library, I support a monthly Dementia Cafe and we have a lovely group of people that come along for the social aspects as well as the crafts, reminisicing and tea and biscuits!

I would like to think that my art will bring some joy to the residents and remind them of happy times at the coast.

If you are in the neighbourhood, please do drop by and take a look.

Thursday 30th May – Friday 7th June 12 noon – 5pm, Kings Court Care Home, Hempstead Road, Holt NR25 6DQ

Art Sale

I recently took part in an Art Sale in Norwich.

40+ local artists were involved and all artwork needed to be on sale for lower than previously adverstised.

The premise was any art was allowed, framed, unframed, finished, not finished. Anything was allowed.

I submitted a full wall and 2 boxes of art, for 4 days.

And I am so excited to say that I made 8 sales.  That’s 8 pieces of work that were previously sitting in a drawer or box in the studio.

So now I am told I HAVE to call myself an artist, because people paid good money for my work!

Me and my work!

Website Update

I have spent a few days, updating the website.

I have changed some things around making it a lot more focused on the art I am producing and easier to navigate the pages.

The art shop is easier to navigate and links out to the Etsy page from each picture.

My branding is more standardised and hopefully accessibility requirements are improving. Adding Alt Text to pictures as I create them, means screen readers will be able to show what is on the page easier. It will be a long task going back over old posts, so I will add it to a “to-do” List.

I would welcome your feedback on the new look. What do you like? What works well? Is there something more you would like to see?