You have seen him at lots of your favorite places. Mark Holden has an amazing array of cool works of art and is constantly creating more. We caught up with Mark at Serrano’s Social Club talked about art and music while being serenaded by Ray Vizera on his Uke. Very nice. He is currently on display at Café Deva in a very cool father and daughter exhibit, Ella and Mark. Let’s get to know Mark Holden.
I grew up here in Modesto, CA. My mother, who passed away in 2007, was a prominent artist in this area. Her name was Martha Holden/Bass (My dad died, and she got remarried). She and I would draw and paint together with the Central California Art League when I was small. I went to John Muir Elementary, Roosevelt Jr. High, and graduated from Thomas Downey High. I went to M.J.C., and transferred to Stanislaus State and graduated with B.F.A in 1997. Art, for me is genetic, I just can’t stop making it. Modesto has a mixture of great fine art and crafts, but the one thing I would like to change is the attitude towards art that keeps the community mindset from growing. Real art should make people think, discuss, and then get inspired to create themselves, otherwise it’s just decoration and craft. Right now, my daughter, Ella Mae Holden is my inspiration. She loves to paint with me, draw with me, and play with me. She’s teaching me to loosen up and be more playful with my creations.
To see Marks network of fellow artists, check out
Beatnik Artists Guild on Facebook
