Gene Holtan

I did not know Gene, but my father, Robert, did, as a student at Chouinard. They stayed in touch after my parents moved to NY, and when my father sent Gene my birth announcement, he replied with what I now know to be one of his legendary letters.
I grew up with this art work framed and hanging above my bed until I was in high school. When I moved into my first apartment after college, I found it in my parents attic, reframed it, and took it with me.
I was just telling two artist...

Darn, I learned from Marv Rubin that he had been in touch with Gene and that he passed. Gene was an interesting and unique fellow, brilliant, witty and talented, a excellent craftsman as well. I learned of the work of Gene when I was a student at Chouinard in the mid 60s. We became good friends and business colleagues in the 70s when he moved here to Santa Cruz. When I ran into he and Elizabeth on the Mall, I announced that he was a "Native" now, he always loved that coming from a native...

Just today I learned of Gene's passing. Sorry I am a bit too late to tell him in person, "Thank you, Gene, you have contributed a positive influence in my life all these years since I was a student in your class (1964) at Chouinard Art School in LA. I am glad to read today that you had apparently lived your entire life as the vibrant and sharing person I knew way back when." Love and blessing to you and yours, love and blessings for us all.