Harold T. Holden
CAA Member since 2012
Born: March 28, 1940
Education: Texas Academy of Art in Houston
“A man who can make his living doing what he loves is truly blessed and I consider myself to be one of those men,” says Harold T. Holden, or H as he is called by many. The first fine artist in his family, H grew up in Enid, Oklahoma, in a creative family that counted among its members inventors, engineers and horsemen. “My subject matter has always been the West. That is what inspires me and that is what I want to capture in my art.”
His art career began after he attended Oklahoma State University and graduated from the Texas Academy of Art in Houston. He began in the commercial art field and eventually took the position of art director at Horseman Magazine. In 1973, H made the leap to full time artist and commissions from the National Cattlemen’s Association helped along the way. His work is included in the collections of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, the Oklahoma State Capitol, the Ranching Heritage Museum in Lubbock, Texas, the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, Wyoming and the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City. In addition, H has completed 22 pieces of public art in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and Arkansas.
He is known for his attention to detail and particularly his sculptures of horses. Believing that an artist should know his subject matter, he has raised and raced American Quarter Horses and stays close to the cowboy and ranching way of life.
In 2001, H received the Governor’s Art Award from Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating and in 2005 was honored with a Distinguished Alumni Award from Oklahoma State University. In 2004 he was elected into the National Sculpture Society and received the Western Artist of the Year award from the Academy of Western Artists. In 2012, he was elected into membership in the Cowboy Artists of America.
“Two of my heroes, Tom Ryan and Bill Owen were members of the CAA. Their talent and work ethic have inspired me for many years and to be among the guys doing their best to keep the long traditions of the CAA alive is an honor and a privilege”.
“H” and his wife, Edna Mae, live outside of Kremlin, Oklahoma.
