Dan Holden is a lifetime resident of St. Mary’s County. After graduating from high school in 1979 he joined the Merchant Marine and sailed until 1981. Dan then joined the United States Coast Guard and was stationed in Miami, Florida and Elizabeth City, North Carolina. He served as an aircraft mechanic and search and rescue crewman. Wishing to return home and begin college, Dan left the Coast Guard in Fall 1989 and began studying Fine Art at St. Mary’s College, Maryland.
   Dan has been studying various art forms and media for 25 years, working in several drawing and painting forms, sculpture and photography. His current works include black and white or color marine art, as well as bright and vibrant abstracts. His subjects mainly depict local watercraft and seascapes which are clearly recognizable in the artwork. Several subjects he has drawn are from around the St. George Island, Piney Point areas where he has resided most of his life. Dan prefers the depth of character and familiarity of the views that are close to his heart, obviously alive in each individual work, both black and white and color. His subjects are not trite, full of life and movement, bursting with southern Maryland flavor. The detail of each scene comes to life in his unique drawing and painting style.