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Hawk's works featured at Vernon County gallery
The works of Gary Hawk, an accomplished painter from Iola, Kan., are on display at the Vernon County Arts Council gallery, located on the lower level of the Carnegie Building, Nevada
Born on a farm near Hennessey, Okla., during the years of the Great Depression, Hawk moved with his family to lola in 1939, where he presently resides. Hawk's early years were typical for the boys of that time. He spent his youth riding horses, working cattle, running trap lines and attending the rural schools. His knowledge of his subject matter is drawn from memories of the past, first-hand experience and a continuing association with today's working ranchers and hunters.
Hawk studied art at Kansas State University and the Kansas City Art Institute. He was formerly employed as a designer for Hallmark Cards and the American Greeting Cards Company before becoming a designer for IMP Boats. He left IMP in 1976 to devote all of his time to art. Gary is a member of the Kansas Watercolor Society. He has been the featured painter at Silver Dollar City, Mo.
In 1977, he was named Governor's Artist for the State of Kansas by Governor Robert Bennett. Gary's paintings have also been on display at Cedar Crest, the governor's mansion in Topeka, during the term of Gov. John Carlin. His art is in the private collections of Sen. Nancy Kassebaum, Sen. Robert Dole, Rep. Bob Whittaker, actor Robert Redford, astronaut Ron Evans, Governor Breanstad of Iowa, movie star Rex Allen, country western star Jerry Clower, Secretary of Agriculture John Block, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale and many others.
Hawk has gained notoriety from a prestigious list of clients who have commissioned paintings such as Shepler's the world's largest western stores which display his murals throughout the country, the Ralston-Purina company, GEO Churchill, F.M. Thorp Co., Kenneth R. Johnson, Inc., J. Chisholm Co., Inc., Farmland Industries, Perkins Industries, Vigortone AG Products, Inc., Upjohn, numerous banks and oil companies. Recently, he was commissioned to paint a portrait of "Gunsmoke's" Doc Adams. "Doc' Milburn Stone, was a native of Burton, Kan. Gary has won wide acclaim for historical painting of his native Midwest, particularly the historical series of the old Fort Scott in Fort Scott, Kan.
This year his art was shown by invitation at the renowned American Royal Auction. Hawk's work has been featured on the covers of many Midwestern and Southwestern magazines and trade journals as well as on telephone directories throughout the nation.
In addition to many television appearances, Hawk has been the featured speaker before the National Association of County Agents, at the P.E.O.'s Cottey College, before the British Journalists, at the Western Farm Show, before many nationally recognized clubs and private groups as well as at many schools throughout the Midwest.