The Virgin River Gorge

Rock Artist with Soul

Onyx from Cave Creek, copper minerals from Globe and Bisbee, goldenstone from the Arizona Strip, amethystine agate from near his home in Payson, gemstones from around the worldany and all of these become interesting "landscapes" with the addition of Don Holcombe's realistically painted subjects. Holcombe, with a background steeped in traditional art forms, calls his art-on-rock "Glyphs," a trademarked name he derived from hieroglyph and petroglyph.

A DON HOLCOMBE PORTFOLIO

A DON HOLCOMBE PORTFOLIO

When people realize the landscapes are the original rock colors and patterns, unaltered by my painting, it brings a new perspective to their appreciation of the beauty in nature," Holcombe says. "The versatility of the landscapes in my selected gemstone slabs and spheres relates them to almost any subject matter: sunsets, long rolling vistas with mountains, cascading rivers and waterfalls, quiet meadows and lakes." The artist searches carefully for just the right landscapes, so that the addition of his painted subject will complete a convincing scene and enhance what nature has taken millions of years to create. -Nancy E. Bertram