April Artist of the Month
Meet David Holt
Unlike many artists, David Holt has never taken a lesson. As a child he drew all the time. As an adult he decided to add color to his drawings and began oil painting. When Holt was working, art was a hobby, a way of relaxing, and he often painted at night while listening to music, in a spare bedroom which he made into a studio.
Looking for a less cumbersome medium, Holt tried his hand at watercolor. “Many people warned me that watercolor was very difficult to master but I developed my own technique and I love the convenience.” Holt’s process begins with a detailed freehand drawing; “This is the most difficult part; when I start to add color, things begin to flow. I use vibrant colors and I am able to achieve the photorealism that I love.” Viewers are often surprised to find out that his paintings are watercolor for this reason.
As far as subject matter, Holt is looking for anything that sparks his interest. “When I finish a painting, I’m always thinking, ‘what’s next?’” He enjoys different types of landscapes, cityscapes and still life. He often focuses on iconic spots in Boston, Plymouth, Cape Cod and other places where he travels or sometimes imagines from compilations of photographs. Because his drawings are so comprehensive, he does most of his work in the studio from photographs. He uses illustration board rather than watercolor paper.
Although Holt has not had formal training, he has always subscribed to art publications and has studied the work of fellow artists. He has become a member of many art organizations: he is currently an exhibiting member of the Cape Cod Art Center, New England Watercolor Society, American Watercolor Society, Plymouth Center for the Arts, North River Arts Society and Hull Artists. Although it sometimes gets confusing, he faithfully exhibits at all of them and has won several awards. Finding himself in the company of the most accomplished Boston artists, he has also exhibited at the Annual Juried Show of the Guild of Boston Artists.
So, what is next for Holt? He has been asked to teach at the Cape Cod Center for the Arts. He is looking forward to the next challenge and passing on the techniques he has developed to other artists. (Perhaps most special is mentoring his grandson who is sharing in this artist’s passion.) (Another) of the greatest rewards for Holt comes from the positive feedback of his viewers. He enjoys the ability to “capture a time and place, an object or any subject that (he) finds interesting and transforming that image into a vibrant painting or drawing.” 