About Cindy Lewis and Mark Holland

Cindy Lewis and Mark Holland have been leading a very unique lifestyle since 1978 - one that many have said they would like to enjoy. They have been traveling North America studying the many species of birds and flowers. Being entirely mobile in their workshop/studio enables them to work in the field.

Cindy learned the art of carving from Mark, who is entirely self-taught and began in 1959. Together they have over 70 years of experience. Working as a team, they create each piece as an original, so that it displays their unique style of subtle texturing and intricate oil painting to "fool the eye of the beholder."

They have been featured sculptors at a number of invitation-only exhibits, most recently in 2005, at the 35th anniversary of the Waterfowl Festival as the Master Carvers (Easton MD); the 2002 25th anniversary of the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (Charleston SC); the 2000 Plantation Wildlife Art Festival (Thomasville GA); and "Artists of the Year" and "Encore Artists" [1999 and 2000 respectively] at the NatureWorks Wildlife Art Show and Sale (Tulsa OK). Their work has been juried into the prestigious Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum's "Birds in Art" (Wausau WI) as well as "Sculpture in the Park" (Loveland CO) and the "Great American Artists" exhibit (Cincinnati OH).

In 1998, Lewis and Holland were honored when they were commissioned to create the "Spirit of Oklahoma" [a piece that incorporated the state bird, flower, tree and rock] for Governor and Mrs. Frank Keating. A gift to the Governor, First Lady and the people of Oklahoma, this carving is now in the permanent collection at the Governor's Mansion.

Their deep admiration and respect of the natural world, especially birds, is evident in every piece. Cindy and Mark Feel that it is imperative to know their subjects firsthand, so they spend a great deal of time behind binoculars on foot, from their canoe and in blinds. In this way, they are actually "there" to experience the live bird not only in appearance but in attitude and interaction with their own species and other animals as well.

Their works appear in collections throughout the world. Sporting Classics, Wildlife Art and Wildfowl Carving and Collecting, in addition to other publications in the US and abroad have included articles on Lewis and Holland. They were pleased to have their work presented to artists' Carl Brenders, the late Simon Combes, Bev Doolittle and Terry Isaac.

Cindy and Mark feel very fortunate to be able to maintain their low-key lifestyle while doing something they truly love.