Brian Holder rekindled a familiar hobby — oil painting — during recent months for the 2025 Not So Bad Art by Good People program, creating a piece that incorporates some of he and his wife’s favorite pastimes in their beloved community and place of business.
His “Starry Night Over Indian Lake” is currently on display with artwork from eight other celebrity artists in the Logan County Art League’s contest and fundraiser at Citizens Federal Savings & Loan, 100 N. Main St., Bellefontaine, through Jan. 31. People can vote on their favorite piece(s) by placing a $1 in the artist’s box.
Holder graduated from Indian Lake High School in 1988 and later moved to California. While living out West, he started a family, had three boys and said he enjoyed a career with the LA United School District.
He returned back home to Ohio for good in 2009, and a few fateful years later in 2012, he met his wife, Brenda Moots-Holder, and joined Indian Lake Outfitters, which the couple runs at 115. E. Lake St., Lakeview, along with The Depot, at the same location.
The ILHS graduate and business co-owner said he has always enjoyed art and oil painting, so it was a natural fit when he and Brenda went on their first date to The Art Institute of Chicago to see one of the most famous American paintings of the 20th Century, American Gothic.
“While there, we viewed a few van Gogh’s and she shared her favorite piece of art had always been ‘The Starry Night.’ I later learned she had a copy in every room of her house, which now means ‘we’ have some version of The Starry Night in every room of our house,” the celebrity artist said.
Using his wife’s favorite artwork as the basis for his piece in the contest, Holder related that he was able to personalize the evening landscape to tell the couple’s own love story.
“My piece is inspired by our story and called ‘Starry Night Over Indian Lake,’ which features some of our favorite spots together, like our McDonald’s Coke dates, the cabin at our farm, the home we live in and our retail storefront, The Depot and Indian Lake Outfitters,” he said this week.
In addition to his love for his wife, family and community, Holder has a passion for the outdoors and sharing the experience with the next generation, so joining alongside Brenda to operate Indian Lake Outfitters is a natural fit.
“I’ve been a part of Indian Lake Outfitters since 2012, repairing and setting up archery equipment for new and returning customers. I’ve always had a love for hunting and shooting long before I joined ILO.
“Sharing that passion with young people, teaching kids the sport and seeing them enjoy the outdoors is the best part of my day. Working on their equipment and listening to their stories is a small way for me to be a part of their hunt and a bigger part of the outdoors.”
To tackle his oil painting, Holder said he had most of the supplies he needed already at home and found himself taking the time to do some reflective solo painting.
“Painting with oils is something I’ve dabbled in but forgot how long they take to dry, and for that, the piece took longer than I gave myself time for but very much enjoyed the process and appreciated the opportunity to paint again,” he said.
“Honestly, I’ve been looking for places to fit in with my interests and hobbies now that all our kids are adulting on their own. My wife pushed me to get involved in a new program and this is where I landed. I have enjoyed the process and found checking the voting boxes to be a bit addicting and exciting!”
He encouraged community members to get out to vote for the art pieces in the contest, and also to participate in the auction, coming up Friday, Jan. 31, with a dinner starting at 5 p.m. at Honey Birch Farm, 550 E. Township Road 30, West Liberty.
Pre-purchased tickets are required for food and drinks being served from 6 to 7 p.m. The public is also invited to attend the auction that begins at 7 p.m. and participate free of charge.