Muscle Memory II 2019

Jammie Holmes made this painting titled 'Muscle Memory II' with expressive mark making. I think it's interesting how the artist builds form out of what seems like chaos. Looking closely, you can see how Holmes uses a variety of materials. Thick, opaque paints create a tangible surface, while thin washes and linear elements add depth and complexity. The layering of earth tones, blacks, and occasional bright colors—like that flash of red and blue—gives the piece a dynamic, almost frenetic energy. The black lines feel urgent, raw. I love the teeth. I'd describe them as architectural, and they give a sense of both vulnerability and defiance. Holmes' work reminds me a little of Basquiat. Both artists share a knack for turning personal experience into something universally resonant. Art is, after all, an ongoing conversation, full of echoes and reimagining.