In light of the upcoming Circle of Art fest in Christmas Circle, I thought it would be a good idea to highlight a great local artist who has not received the recognition he deserves.

Mike Holder, whose passion for photography led him to a career in the commercial and fashion industries, retired to Borrego Springs in 2006. As an artist in Borrego he began by framing and offering his photographs. After seeing some woodburned artworks, he decided to combine it with his photography by tracing the pictures on wood and then burning the images into permanency.

Colorizing later with water-based inks, he also began using other media such as nature photographs from friends, nature books and his own drawings.

His techniques have also grown to include alcohol ink painting on wood, yupo (a type of paper), tiles and gourds in addition to Intarsa, using cut shapes to recreate a raised picture.

Mike has several examples of alcohol ink on yupo at the Borrego Art Institute and will be on exhibit at the Circle of Art. Come see for yourself the craft and artistry of a true artist in Borrego Springs. He and his colleagues will appreciate your kind attention.