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Harlan H. HOLLADAY, AKA DocH3, Artist & Educator


Harlan H. Holladay

Born 1925


Time has a way of getting away from all of us.  Harlan H. Holladay who is now in his early 90s, spent most of his life being an educator and researcher.  He is most noted for his time at St. Lawrence University first as an instructor, then ahead of the art department.  University professors and department heads spend a lot time serving on committees and providing outreach to their communities.  A simple internet search demonstrates that Dr. Holladay had a life filled with such activities and was a member of such organizations, as:  College Art Association; Society of  Architectural Historians; American Association of Univ. Prof.; Northeast Museum Association; Cooperstown Art Association, etc.
Holladay, was born in Greenville, MO, has three degrees, and studied at a couple of different institutions:  SE Missouri State College (B.S. Education); Washington University; State University of Iowa (M.A.) and Cornell University (Ph.D.).  Frequently in old newspapers you will see that he had exhibited and showed off his artistic talents and skills while working on his education.  
After he started his teaching career he exhibited extensively, for example: Corcoran Gal. Biennial, 1951; WMAA, 1952; PAFA, 1952; PAFA Watercolor exhib., 1953, 1959; 61st Nat. Watercolor Ann., Washington, 1958 (hon. ment.). Awards: first prize for other media, Nat. Art Roundup, Las Vegas, NV, 1958; Reynolds Award, Cooperstown (NY) AA, 1967.  According to Who is Who in American Art -16th Edition, he has work in following institutions:   Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute, Utica, NY; St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY; Des Moines Art Center; SE Missouri University Collection; Springfield Art Museum.  Holladay was named the Flint Professor Emeritus in 1991 by St. Lawrence University.  

Dr. Holladay’s art has varied with the times, from realism all the way to abstraction.  In the 1960s and 70s he developed his own nature of abstraction or better said:  “Abstraction of Nature.”  The painting shown here illustrates a winter grove of trees with endless branches and twigs with elements of snow, the blue sky is peeking out the top.  We see the leftover leaves hanging on from autumn in golden and green tones and the painting is thick and layered oil on masonite, approximately 13.5 X 17.5 inches.  


"Abstraction of Nature"



Holladay’s work has an air of scholarship.  Looking at his work, you know that he is a master craftsman/artisan.  When it comes to Holladay, never confuse artistic ability and knowledge with price. He knows how to express every line, tone, texture, color, and form that he puts on his paintings.  In the painting shown above, each brush stroke communicates and interprets the crossover from nature to abstraction, demonstrating Holladay’s power of miracles, turning nature into abstractions or “Abstraction of Nature.”    




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