Jesse Holster 
FEATURE ARtist February 2019

My portraits are of people with strong character, or of historical significance, or of a person(s) requested by friend or family member. Nothing thrills me more than to see the excitement of a patron pleased and happy with my work!

When I see something that speaks to me, I want to paint! My choices for subjects are purely intuitive and emotional. In my early years, I was continually on the hunt for that “perfect subject,” but time and experience have taught me fantastic subjects are everywhere. My work is primarily with soft pastel, although I have experimented with colored pencil and oil painting. Early successes were with pencil and charcoal, but my thirst for color led me to the discovery of pastels.

​I am driven to create. My subjects are usually landscapes, seascapes or portraits. The camera on my cell is a God send, allowing me to capture every day scenes that demand to be painted if I am not equipped for plein air. 

Art by Jesse Holster

ST:  In seeing your work within the September 2018 Members Show at Arden’s Gallery in Houston, your landscapes seem a part of your personal narrative about life. Can you comment on what you feel is most important for a successful painting?
 
Jesse Holster:  For me, there are two things of near equal importance. Perhaps the most important aspect of a successful painting is to have an emotional response to the subject. This is true for my portraits as well as my landscapes. Early in my life, I was always on the search for that “perfect subject”, but as I have matured, I realize that if even the simplest things in nature can produce a “I’ve got to paint that!” response.
 
The second important attribute to producing a successful painting is the preparation of a plan for how the subject is to be presented. I’ve learned that some serious thought of how to best share my initial emotional response to the subject will produce a much better painting than jumping in too quickly without working out a plan.  ​

PSST:  Our 2018 members show was a great opportunity to meet you and your lovely wife, to learn a bit about your art and work with the pastel medium. As a relatively new member of Pastel Society of Southeast Texas, what brought you into our membership?  What other art groups or galleries have you been involved with over the years? 
 
Jesse Holster:  I decided to join with PSST to engage with a group of like-minded local artists who view pastels as an important medium and also to expand exposure of my work to a larger art community.
 
I have been a signature member of the Degas Pastel Society (DPS) of New Orleans for more than twenty years and continue to keep my membership and participation active. Unfortunately, the distance has hindered my participation in many of their exhibitions and routine activities. I also participate in a local art ministry at my church, where we frequently gather to paint and share thoughts and ideas.​

PSST:  What do you feel is the most important facet of participating with the PSST artists at meetings, art demos, exhibitions, art sales, art critique groups, Plein Air events, and artist workshops? How are you encouraged by the events you have attended? 
 
Jesse Holster:  The most important facet of participating in the PSST is the opportunity to meet artists that share my love for pastel and learn from their experiences. As a new member, the September 2018 PSST Art Show at Arden’s Gallery is the only PSST exhibition that I have participated in. I was very encouraged by the many positive comments I heard at the opening and inspired by the work of all the artists that participated. There are some extremely talented people in the PSST!

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 PSST:  Do you have a favorite workshop instructor or book that you would like to recommend and why?
 
 Jesse Holster: ​  My favorite workshop instructor is Albert Handell. In my opinion, he is the “king of pastel landscapes.” I strongly recommend one of his workshops to anyone with a desire to enhance their skills in pastel landscape painting. Mr. Handell is also very supportive of those that want to learn from him. As an example, I stopped (un-invited) into his studio in Santa Fe this past summer and he was a very gracious host. He gave me a tour of his studio and more than an hour of discussion and encouragement. He even remembered me from the workshop I had with him in Maine, more than 10 years ago.
 
Your upcoming schedule:
 
I am making plans to attend a workshop taught by Alan Flattmann of the Degas Pastel Society in 2019. Other plans for the coming year are to exhibit again in the annual DPS juried exhibition in New Orleans and the next PSST exhibition. In April I will exhibit in the Cypress Creek Art Show at Cypress Creek Christian Church in Spring, Texas.
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