David Copeland Holman

Dave Holman of Loveland, Colorado, passed away peacefully at his home studio Tuesday night, July 29, 2014, surrounded by loving family and friends.

Dave was born in Rockford, Illinois and grew up in Ottumwa, Iowa. He attended Ottumwa High school where he excelled in numerous sports activities including swimming, football, basketball and track and field. He set a record in high jump that remained undefeated until recently. He graduated in 1962. Following high school, He attended several colleges including Exeter, Ohio State, Simpson, Parsons and Monterrey Institute of Foreign Studies between the years of 1962 to 1972. He studied German Language and literature and received his masters degree and bachelors of art in German studies and minored in French from the Monterrey Institute.

In 1971, he went to Europe and taught required English to junior high and high school level students at Friedrich Paulsen Schule in Niebull, Germany until 1973. Upon his return to the states, he attended Indian Hills Community College where he studied and earned an AA degree in electronic technology in 1975.

Dave's true calling in the art world commenced in the 80's when he was accepted in 1981 to the Atelier Prohl in Minneapolis, MN. He studied art in the Classical Realism tradition here where he learned to draw and paint the figure and portraiture fundamentals until 1984. Throughout his training, he participated in evening classes and portraiture and figure sessions, always honing his skills and talents as a fine artist.

After a brief period of working as a German interpreter and translator for the Forestry Service from 1987- 1989, Dave made the choice to focus his efforts in pursuing his dream of painting, drawing and becoming the best artist he could be. He worked tirelessly at his craft, traveled the southwest showing and selling his work and taught classes in portraiture. He won numerous awards and participated in art events in and around his hometown of Loveland. Those individuals fortunate enough to have created art with him will never forget his kind and patient manner and his passionate love of color, shape and line.

He is preceded in death by Dr. and Mrs. David Odgers Holman, and his grandmother, Edith Copeland, of Sheraton, Iowa. He is survived by loving daughter, Kristin Elisabeth Eve Holman of Loveland, and his sister, Sue Davis of Ottumwa, Iowa, as well as Rob Davis, nephew and Jennifer Goode Davis of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

A memorial celebration of his life is scheduled for August 23rd, 9:30 am at Sunrise Ranch in Dome Chapel, followed by a reception. He is also Artist of the Month at the Loveland Visitor Center for the month of August.