About Leon Holmes

Leon Holmes is an international award-winning Australian artist, lecturer and ambassador, who has made himself a global name as being one of the most enthusiastic and successful professionals of his trade - Plein Air Oil Painting.

Born and raised in Perth, Leon's career started with a wide range of artistic fields including Printmaking, Graphic Design, Art Direction, Illustration and Photography before the artist made his dream come true becoming a fulltime artist in 2003.

The majority of Leon's works are painted from life 'Plein Air' (in the open) and are capturing the beauty of natural light and colour and a diversity of subjects eg. landscapes, seascapes, urban scenes still lifes and portraits.

Challenged by the forever changing conditions surrounding the outdoor painter, Leon has adapted to work quickly which results in dynamic and vibrant studies that also inspire the artist's larger studio works. Leon's working process can be viewed in the TV Show 'Colour in your life' S20 E 4 (2019).

Having resided a number of years in Europe refining his skills and networking with other artists has opened Leon's doors to exhibit and teach alongside the elite of professional Plein Air Artists at invitational, international art events like ‘Maui Plein Air Invitational’ in Hawaii, ‘Forgotten Coast en Plein Air’ in Florida and ‘Art in the Open’ in Irleand.

One of Leon's paintings has specially been honoured hanging together with ones of the old Dutch Masters in the Katwijk Museum in Holland. Inspired by these painting events, Leon has worked hard to start a similar annual event in his hometown in Mandurah called ‘Plein Air Down Under’ . Leon also founded the Mandurah Portrait Group where he practises portraiture on a weekly basis since 2015.

Leon only uses only the finest art materials available to date to produce artworks of an exeptional quality that are standing up to demand of his serious collectors base and competition around the world.

To share his expertise with his local art community and students Leon is teaching regular workshops and is devoted to make Plein Air Painting of today a much more enjoyable experience for everyone. Therefore, Leon has set up a small art supply shop in his own gallery, where artist can find carefully selected materials including his own product range. The Leon Holmes Pochade Boxes and Swag Aprons are both handmade and self-designed by the artist for plein air artist that have a special demand for a light-weight, practial and compact set up.

Leon's artwork is available from several galleries in Australia, around the world and from his own private gallery and studio in the heart of Mandurah.

The Leon Holmes Art Gallery is open by appointment anytime or join the maillist for an invitation to one of his public exhibitions that will showcase throughout the year.

Accolades

2022 Quick Draw Winner at ‘Live at the Weir’ Art Competition, Waroona, W.A.

2021 Best Pinjarra Landscape at Plein Air Down Under Event, Mandurah, W.A.

2021 Best Local Scene at Pinjarra Rotary Exhibition, WA

2021 Highly Commended at Beverley Art Prize, Beverely, W.A.

2021 Bendigo Bank Open Category Winner, Koorliny Art Centre, WA

2021 Quick Draw Winner at ‘Live at the Weir’ Art Competition, Waroona, W.A.

2020 Highly commended Maui Invitational Plein Air

2020 Best in Show -Western Society of Arts, Fremantle, WA

2019 Best in Show – Plein Air Down Under, Mandurah, WA

2019 Featured artist in Colour In Your Life – Season 20 E4

2019 Best Local Scene – Pinjarra Rotary Club, W.A.

2019 Highly Commended – Award, Bevery Art Prize, W.A.

2018 Best Portrait – Wickepin Art Prize, W.A.

2018 Best in Oil – Beverley Art Prize, W.A.

2018 Judged the WA Pastel Society Art Prize

2017 Judged the WA Society of Arts Prize

2017 Bronze Award – Art in the Open, Ireland

2017 Quick Paint Winner – Art in the Open, Ireland

2017 Artwork purchase – Katwijk Museum, Holland

2017 Finalist – Perth Royal Art Show, W.A.

2017 Best in Show – Maui Invitational Plein Air, Hawaii

2017 Best in Show – Mandurah Crab Fest Plein Air, W.A.

2016 Finalist – City of Busselton Art Award, W.A.

2016 Salon finalist – Black Swan Art Prize for Portraiture, W.A.

2016 Peoples Choice Award – Perth Royal Show, W.A.

2016 Best Landscape – Wickepin Art Prize, W.A.

2016 Quick Paint Winner (prof. div.) – Forgotten Coast, Florida

2016 Best painting ‘Aspects of Belmont’ – Belmont Art Prize, W.A.

2016 Best on Canvas – Morawa Art Prize, W.A

2016 Best painting – Kalgoorlie Art Prize, W.A.

2016 Finalist – Perth Royal Show Art Prize, W.A.

2016 Highly Commended Award – Mandurah Crab Festival en Plein Air, W.A.

2016 Faculty Member/Lecturer – Plein Air Convention Expo, Tuscon Arizona

2015 Finalist – Noordwijk Invitational Painting Festival, Holland

2014 Quick Paint Winner – Forgotten Coast Invitational, Florida

2014 Finalist – Noordwijk Invitational Painting Festival, Holland

2014 Ambassador for Michael Harding Oil Paints and Rosemary & Co Brushes

2012 Peoples Choice Award – Art in the Open, Ireland

2010 Finalist Black Swan Prize for Portraiture, W.A.

2009 Finalist Black Swan Prize for Portraiture, W.A.

1999 1st place National Aids Council Poster design, W.A.

1999 1st place National Print Poster Awards, W.A.

1998 1st place National Ilford Photography Award, Australia

1993-96 Screen Printing Apprentice of the Year (4 years in a row), W.A.

2016 Finalist – Perth Royal Show Art Prize, W.A. 2016 Highly Commended Award – Mandurah Crab Festival en Plein Air, W.A. 2016 Faculty Member/Lecturer – Plein Air Convention Expo, Tuscon Arizona 2015 Finalist – Noordwijk Invitational Painting Festival, Holland 2014 Quick Paint Winner – Forgotten Coast Invitational, Florida 2014 Finalist – Noordwijk Invitational Painting Festival, Holland 2014 Ambassador for Michael Harding Oil Paints and Rosemary & Co Brushes 2012 Peoples Choice Award – Art in the Open, Ireland 2010 Finalist Black Swan Prize for Portraiture, W.A. 2009 Finalist Black Swan Prize for Portraiture, W.A. 1999 1st place National Aids Council Poster design, W.A. 1999 1st place National Print Poster Awards, W.A. 1998 1st place National Ilford Photography Award, Australia 1993-96 Screen Printing Apprentice of the Year (4 years in a row), W.A.

Clientele

  • Katwijk Museum – Holland
  • Jean Stern, Executive Director of The Irvine Museum California
  • Multiplex Living (over 200 paintings for Leighton Beach Development)
  • G’Day USA (artwork now in Australian Consulate-General’s office, New York)
  • Grandridge PTY
  • Delta Petroleum Services
  • The Western Australian Club
  • Vasse Felix ‘Healing Hearts Foundation’ charity auction 2004
  • Sorgiovani Designs
  • Global Private collectors

Education & Employment

2015 -2021 Home studio and private gallery in Mandurah, W.A.

2011 – 2014 Residing in Germany, participating in international art events

2012 Founder of the Plein Air Painters of Australia (Group/Website)

2006 – 2011 Gallery owner and operator in Fremantle, W.A.

2000 – 2006 Art Director and in-house illustrator for Creative ADM, Perth

2005 Plein Air Painting Trip throughout Australia

2001 ADA Advertising School

2000 Diploma at the School of Art and Design (Illustration, Advertising)

1996 Certificate of Trade in Screen Printing

  • 2021 Group Exhibition Plein Air Down Under, MPAC, Mandurah, W.A.
  • 2021 Animal Arts Charity Group Exhibition, Fremantle, WA
  • 2021 Solo Show – Great Southern Summer, Riverfront Gallery Denmark, WA
  • 2021 Solo Exhibition – Great Southern Summer, Mandurah ,W.A.
  • 2020 Solo Exhibition – Can’t Lock Me Down, Mandurah, W.A.
  • 2020 Forgotten Coast en Plein Air, Florida, USA
  • 2020 Group Exhibition Western Society of Arts, Fremantle, W.A.
  • 2020 Portrait Group Exhibition, Fremantle, W.A.
  • 2020 Maui Invitational Plein Air, Hawaii, USA
  • 2019 Mandurah Plein Air painters Portrait exhibition, W.A.
  • 2019 Mandurah Plein Air Down Under Group exhibition, W.A.
  • 2019 Solo Exhibition – An udder Exhibition, Juniper Galleries, W.A.
  • 2019 Solo Exhibition – Feathers In My Hat, Kidogo Art Space, Fremantle
  • 2018 Maui Invitational Plein Air, Hawaii, USA
  • 2017 Solo Exhibition – Voyage to Venice, Kidogo Art Space, Fremantle, W.A.
  • 2017 Green Acres Gallery, Ireland
  • 2017 Katwijk en Plein Air, Holland
  • 2017 Noordwijk Schilder Festival, Holland
  • 2017 Solo Exhibition – Anchorage, Kidogo Art Space, Fremantle, W.A.
  • 2017 Maui Invitational Plein Air, Hawaii
  • 2016 Forgotten Coast en Plein Air Invitational, Florida, USA
  • 2016 Solo Exhibition – Outback, A&A Gallery, Subiaco, W.A.
  • 2016 Group Show – A&A Gallery, Subiaco, W.A.
  • 2016 Solo Exhibition – Ones & Onlies, Kidogo Art Space, Fremantle, W.A.
  • 2015 Forgotten Coast en Plein Air, Florida, USA
  • 2015 Noordwijk Schilder Festival, Holland
  • 2015 Katwijk en Plein Air, Holland
  • 2015 Solo Exhibition – Greece and Tuscany, Kidogo Art Space, Fremantle, W.A.
  • 2014 Forgotten Coast en Plein Air, Florida, USA
  • 2014 Noordwijk Schilder Festival, Holland
  • 2014 Serifos Island, Greece
  • 2013 PR2 Gallery, Amsterdam
  • 2013 International Plein Air Bergen, Holland
  • 2013 Green Acres Gallery, Ireland
  • 2013 International Plein Air, Golouchow, Poland
  • 2012 Agora Gallery, New York City, USA
  • 2012 Green Acres Gallery, Ireland
  • 2012 Solo Exhibition, Houghton’s Winery, W.A.
  • 2012 Solo Exhibition, Beach Street Gallery, Fremantle
  • 2010–12 Monthly Solo Shows in own gallery, Fremantle, W.A
  • 2010–12 Monthly Solo Shows in own gallery, Fremantle, W.A.
  • 2010–12 Monthly Solo Shows in own gallery, Fremantle, W.A.
  • 2009 Solo Exhibition – The York Mill, York W.A.
  • 2008 Solo Exhibition – Multiplex Commissioned Exhibition, Leighton W.A.
  • 2008 Solo Exhibition – Fremantle Emporium Art Café, W.A.
  • 2007 Solo Exhibition – Fremantle Emporium Art Gallery, W.A.
  • 2007 Solo Exhibition – Fremantle Emporium Art Gallery W.A.
  • 2007 Charity – Leeuwin 25yr Celebration, Fremantle W.A.

Exhibitions

Our Partners & Associates