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| REDLANDS CLASSIC ARTIST TO CAPTURE LANCE ARMSTRONG'S PASADENA COMEBACK by Harvey M. Kahn March, 2009 Sports Art impressionist Tracy Bailey Holmes will have a very busy two months. In addition to being named the official artist for the 25th Redlands Bicycle Classic in March, Holmes is doing the commemorative artwork for the AMGEN Tour of California in mid February. Holmes has become a major driving force within the world of sports artwork. She has been the officially licensed artist of NASCAR mainstays Jeff Gordon, going on to paint Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Senior, and the Tour de France. Getting the Tour of California assignment, specifically the Pasadena Stage of the 800-mile road race, is just another confirmation of Holmes' ability. With Lance Armstrong making his American comeback at the Tour of California, some are estimating its attendance could surpass three million, ranking it behind the Tour de France as one of world's largest races. |
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| As important Armstrong is to bicycle racing, Holmes is just as important in conveying the emotions of the ever growing grueling sport. Holmes facsimile of Armstrong in her Grand Champions series was met with his resounding approval. Just as impressive is her box set of Jeff Gordon greeting cards which recently sold on-line for just ten bucks. "If an artist is in it for the money, that could take away from the perception. I've been told that to be a commercial success, I should contour my works toward traditional art galleries," said the Pasadena-based Holmes. "That's just not me. I can paint landscapes and portraits in my studio, but I love to be where I can witness the human spirit thriving. I want to smell the smells and capture the beauty and intensity of those moments so we can remember our true potential in life. It is so inspiring. Being a women painting sporting events possibly is not very normal." In preparation for her work in Redlands and Pasadena, Holmes travels to France to ride the various stages of the grand race. "I'll be going to France again this year. I feel it's important to actually do and feel what the cyclists do--to capture the pain and exhaustion, passion and excitement of what I'm trying to capture when I paint them, and I love to cycle, too," said Holmes. To compose the additional feeling of her high speed art work, Holmes rode the 525 miles from San Francisco to Sacramento to Santa Monica in the AMGEN California Coast Classic last September, raising $5,600 for the Arthritis Foundation in the process. A spokesman for Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard said Holmes has raised thousands more for a number of other local causes. Holmes transformed from a studio exhibit artist to a sports impressionist after attending the NASCAR Fontana 500 in 1995, when her husband asked her to buy some posters for his office. "I saw how expensive they were so I just painted them myself. Her resume does include art study in the U.S. and abroad. Holmes used the Redlands City Hall Annex as the subject of her official 2007 Redlands Bicycle Classic poster, and last year employed the city's Sunset and Country Club loop of the race in her poster. "I want to present a hometown feeling combined with a street image." She also proudly relays her knowledge of cycle racing history, stating that the Redlands Bicycle Classic's lore ranks amongst America's best. "With the exception of Lance, every American champion has raced Redlands," said Holmes. She told that seven-time Tour de France entrant and former Armstrong teammate George Hincapie has run Redlands. Tour de France 2001 medalist and two-time defending Tour of California champion Levi Leipheimer, raced twice in Redlands. Armstrong and the other giants of cycling will be joined at the 2009 Tour of California with four-time Redlands Classic winner Chris Horner. Holmes said former Olympian Davis Phinney won Redlands in 1986, later winning two yellow jerseys at the Tour de France. Another Olympic Gold winner, Alexi Grewal captured the 1988 Redlands trophy. Three-time French Tour titlist Greg LaMond made a Redlands cameo in 2000. Perennial world competitor Floyd Landis raced Redlands in 1998 and 2000. Most of the recent cycling greats are included in Holmes "Tour de France Grand Champions" paintings. To view Tracy Bailey Holmes work: www.art4racing.com |
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