Harold Holden (1940-2023)

Harold Holden biography:

Harold T. Holden, or “H” as he is called by many, was born in Enid, Oklahoma. Although “H” was the first professional fine artist in the family, he comes from a family of creative and talented inventors and engineers. In 1915, his great-grandfather George Failing invented the machine that creates the bottle cap that is still used on beverages today. His grandfather, oil pioneer George E. Failing, invented the first portable drilling rig, as well as numerous drilling bits, still used in the industry today. “H” credits his love of horses to his father who was an avid horseman.

After graduating from Enid High School, “H” attended Oklahoma State University and graduated from the Texas Academy of Art in Houston. He then began his art career in the commercial art field, working in Wichita, Kansas and in Houston, Texas, and eventually took the position of art director at Horseman Magazine. While working during the day for other folks, “H” began his fine art career at night, painting and sculpting his first love, the West.

After a tour of duty with the Navy in the Vietnam War, “H” ventured out on his own in 1973, to try and make it as a professional fine artist. Commissions from the National Cattlemen’s Association in 1982-1986 helped, and collectors began taking notice of his work.

“H” is a member of the Texas Cowboy Artists Association (TCA) and the National Western Artists Association and has received numerous gold medals in both organizations for his paintings and sculptures. He is known for his attention to detail, and particularly his sculptures of horses.  Believing that an artist should know his subject matter, “H” spends much of his leisure time team roping and staying close to the cowboy way of life.

Available painting:

Click on images to enlarge.

“Scratch”
Harold Holden
bronze #6/50
2 1/2″ H x 3″ W x 2″ D
$750

See additional information about “Scratch”.

Biography courtesy of AskART.com