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| Woman artist has a passion for racing By Harvey Cohen Correspondent April, 2008 Sports expressionist Tracy Bailey Holmes has been confirmed for a return to the Redlands Bike Classic as the official event artist. Holmes' impressive background includes being the officially licensed producer and seller of Tour de France, NASCAR, and Jeff Gordon limited edition prints. Her works have been featured at the DuPont headquarters, Hendrix Motorsports, American Auto Club headquarters, and at the Jeff Gordon Collection. "It is my hope that I can assist Redlands in documenting the history they make every year. My role is to hopefully enhance the race with its own official commemorative race image," said Holmes. |
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| Last year, she used the oldRedlands City Hall Annex as the subject of the RedlandsBike Race official poster. This year, 'Holmes will use the Sunset and Country Club loop of the race as her poster subject. "I want to present a hometown feeling combined with a street image," said Holmes. Holmes got hooked on motorsports after attending the 1995 NASCAR race at California Speedway in Fontana. Afterwards, her husband asked her to buy some auto posters for his office. "I saw how expensive they were, so I just started painting them myself." The Pasadena resident said she enjoys the peaceful atmosphere of cycle races. "I also ride, so I can relate to bike art. I love the people of Redlands and how well they, work together as volunteers. They are very professional and well organized." Holmes comes from a family of artists; however, her vocational trail isn't considered traditional. Her mother was a skilled artist, and her grandfather Jack Ray was a contemporary of artists Walt and Roy Disney. "I don't often fit into normal galleries because I'm a womanpainting images of cars and athletes. I've been told to become more well rounded, but Til stay true to my heart." Holmes is capable of painting portraits and landscapes; how- ever, the excitement of athletic events has won her over.. "There's a certain experience to a race, the smells, sounds, the people. I travel to races andtry to get a feeling by watching the competitors' spirit, character, and personality." She met former Redlands Mayor Carole Beswick on a Tour de France trip in 2005, and was invited by Beswick to display her works locally. Another past mayor, Kasay Haas, and other race organizers asked if she'd come aboard, "If I am invited, I will continue to keep eoming back to Redlands," said Holmes. She explained that to accomplish her works, she'll often paint the backgrounds on location. Then either photograph or sketch the riders coming through the finish line, then paint them in later in her studio. "I learned that difficult times force you to find the strength to overcome any obstacle. An old artist once told me to find what I love 'and then paint it,'" she said. Holmes admitted that even after painting the Earnhardt racing family and providing works to Lance Armstrong, she is still amazed that people pay for her works. She will be at her booth at the Redlands Bike Classic on Saturday and Sunday, where her latest commemorative poster will be on display. Only 100 signed posters will be available at $20 each. For those wishing to complete the collection of Redlands Bike Classic works, Holmes has posters available from last year. For information, contact Tracy Bailey Holmes at tracy@art4racing.com. |
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