Mark Holden

On leaving Darland Comprehensive in the early eighties, I was employed on a couple of work experience schemes, one of which led to full time employment as a textile worker. I then worked in construction, including working on the Wrexham to Chester bypass for Alfred McAlpine.
In the late eighties I decided to follow my heart and enrolled at Wrexham Art College where I gained distinctions in BTEC First and National Diplomas. I progressed to Leeds School of the Environment studying Illustration for three years. Whilst there I was chosen on merit to represent the college on an ERASMUS student exchange for 3 months in Urbino, Italy, birthplace of Raphael. I gained a 2.1 Bachelor of the Arts with honours.
Following graduation I worked at North Wales Newspapers as a page make up artist on Apple Mac computers. I had a nervous breakdown in the mid 90’s, diagnosed with clinical depression, anxiety and psychotic episodes.
Since that time I have gradually been getting better by looking after myself and exercising. I have decided to walk/cycle up and down the UK and then continue around the World as far as I can. I record the times, mileage, and places I’ve frequented in a log book. As a result my work has gradually become more lively, vib...