4 LOCAL |
THE WATERLOO REGION RURAL POST |
Step into a World of Whimsical Fantasy Local Artist Profile: Dan Holt WRITTEN BY: Jennifer Sprach Art provides an opportunity to step into another world and sink into a story created within the artist’s own mind. Elmira artist Dan Holt invites the viewer into his
imagination, a world of whimsical fantasy, that one would think would only exist in a child’s imagination. “What I want people to see when they see my
stuff, is to find that image in their mind’s eye and have a fantasy,” said Holt. “Let the picture take them to their own place and inspire their own imagination.”
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June 9, 2022 Hinting at the existence of a place where the frogs play in an ensemble or symphony beneath the grasses that lay amongst our feet, “some of the frogs playing in the ensemble are in the symphony,” said Holt. Many of his pieces feature frogs and when asked where his interest in frogs came from, he said he used to live on Bullfrog Road, and it was across the street from Bullfrog Valley Pond which had bullfrogs in it. His passion for music can be found in several pieces of his art as well. “I like musical instruments,” he said. “I play saxophone and my wife Colleen plays the flute.” One piece often inspires another and hints of each other can be found within the images for the keen observer to find. He often works with pencil, felt tip pen, watercolour, and acrylic paints, and is not fond of oil paints because they are messy, and they smell. He only sells reproductions of his art but the size and material they are printed on is fully customizable so any piece will fit any space. All the images are also available as greeting cards and are 12 cards for $25. Holt’s art is the ideal conversation piece or a way to keep patients entertained while in the waiting room.
The intricacy leaves viewers discovering details with a childlike excitement, providing Easter egg-like rewards. The longer someone looks, the more details they discover, leaving the viewer with the feeling that something was overlooked and wanting more. The focus might be a woman on a swing only to lead you deeper to discover the band of dwarves playing her favourite song. Nothing is as it appears upon your first
glance with the intricate works of Dan Holt. Holt doodled for as long as he can remember and often got in trouble at school for the hobby. The doodling kept him focused. It drew his attention away from all the external distractions like the feeling of the fabric of his shirt, or the noises many people tune out. He was hyperaware of his surroundings and doodling quieted external
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NEW DUNDEE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE welcomes past, present, and future members to join us in celebrating our
115TH ANNIVERSARY Tuesday afternoon, June 21, 2022 at 2pm New Dundee Community Centre (outside at back weather permitting, or indoors) Please bring your lawn chair, plate, and mug Come and reminisce and find out what we’re all about!
RSVP to Judy at 519-696-2629 by Friday, June 17th
