Fred Holman, Art in Public Places

Saratoga Springs Public Library

49 Henry St, Saratoga Springs, NY

March 2nd-30th, 2026

Artist Statement 

Light and space are the two key elements of my work.  For the depiction of a third dimension on a two-dimensional plane I use the temperatures of hues as well as grays, overlap and line character.  I am always trying to achieve the sense that the viewer can walk or reach into the painting.

My figurative pieces explore human emotion and expression.  The human figure and portraiture is perhaps the most challenging and yet can be the most expressive of subjects.  Most of my work in this area deals with the human condition, the struggle between our natural, giving, accepting selves and our search for knowledge.

My palette is limited and many of the colors are mixed from the primary selections rather than from separate tubes.  I continue to explore different materials, approaches to my paintings and subjects as I refine and direct my work.

Fred Holman started painting in 2005.  What began as an interest in refining his drawing skills turned into a passion for exploring the joys of nature through painting.  A graduate of SUNY ESF, Fred  went on to become a Landscape Architect and Planner by profession; using the natural environment to create beautiful, functional spaces has been part of his life for over 40 years.  

A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design‘s Painting and Drawing Certificate Program in 2007,  Fred obtained the knowledge needed to use his professional experience of turning 2 dimensional drawings into three dimensional spaces  to reversing this process by interpreting three dimensional spaces in his paintings.  He has explored many mediums, but today oil is his preferred medium to paint still life, figures and landscapes. Fred’s work is or derives from Plein Air painting.  He participated in numerous plein air festivals around the State of New York.

Fred’s studio is located on the Schroon River in Brant Lake, New York.   He is currently a member of North Country Arts, the Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council, the Saratoga Arts Council, is president of the Guild of Adirondack Artists and Vice-president of the Ti Arts Downtown Gallery in Ticonderoga, New York.

His work has been shown at these venues and in juried art shows throughout the Adirondack region.  He is currently in the Ti Arts Downtown Gallery in Ticonderoga, NY and the H’art Gallery in North Creek, NY.