Pickens Museum Displays Route 66 Murals by Robert Hardee
Robert Hardee is well known throughout the Ponca City area through the much exhibited prints of his "Ponca City Landmarks" painted from 1985 through 1993. The prints can be found hanging in many businesses and homes throughout the area. Hardee's historic landmark paintings include the Arcade Hotel, Downtown Ponca City featuring the Poncan Theatre, the old Rock Island Depot, the early day Ponca City Library; City Hall, which includes the statue of Marland, the Marland Mansion, and the Marland Grand Home. All prints are limited editions and most of the earlier prints are sold out but occasionally come up for sale on ebay over thirty years after they were created.
Now Pickens Museum is displaying two large murals by Hardee, who passed away in 2008 at age 55. The two murals called "Route 66" and "Route 66 Roadhouse “ are on display in the library for Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa." "These two murals were originally commissioned for a restaurant in Ponca City and on display in their dining room," says Hugh Pickens, Executive Director of Pickens Museum. "When the restaurant went out of business about 15 years ago, we had the opportunity to purchase the two murals."
Hardee's paintings are characterized by bright colors, which the artist obtains by using a technique which he says is "reminiscent of an early Flemish technique." First, an under painting is made using acrylics in shades of brown-gray and white. About two dozen layers of paint are applied to a sketch to obtain the necessary subtleties in shading. Then, three to four layers of translucent oil paint are glazed on top of the underpainting. Several months are required to accomplish the technique.
Hardee was an adopted member of the Ponca Nation. When not painting, teaching or riding a horse, Hardee could be be found at White Eagle visiting his Ponca relatives.
Hardee graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a bachelor's degree in fine arts. He was a department supervisor at the University of Chicago Regenstein Library and taught an adult education course for the Field Museum of Natural History. Hardee taught art in Tulsa Public Schools beginning in 1995. He later became the visual art instructor at Booker T. Washington High School, where he taught the international baccalaureate art program. He also tutored in American Indian education programs and taught art classes for Indian children. He was an artist in residence for the Arts Council of Oklahoma for 10 years.
Hardee's philosophy was that knowledge gained becomes most worthwhile when it is shared with others, especially younger generations. This is one reason why teaching was so important to him. At the same time, it was equally important to Hardee to continue to live as a working artist. "This creative path has chosen me," wrote Hardee, "and the creative force which comes from within is a gift not to be taken for granted."
Reference
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Artists at Pickens Museum
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- C J Wells
Articles about Pickens Museum
Latest Stories about Pickens Museum
- Bronze statue from Pickens Museum to grace Osage Nation campus through the end of the year
- Pickens Learning Commons Opens at NOC Tonkawa
- Pickens Museum puts Monumental Sculpture on Display in Ponca City
- Woolaroc Announces New Exhibit Featuring the Collection of Dr. S. J. Pickens & Hugh Pickens
- Ponca City Monthly publishes story about Pickens Learning Commons at NOC
- Pickens Learning Commons Opens at NOC Tonkawa
- Pickens Museum Acquires "War Club" by Yatika Starr Fields January 20, 2022
2022
- Bronze statue from Pickens Museum to grace Osage Nation campus through the end of the year
- Pickens Learning Commons Opens at NOC Tonkawa
- Pickens Museum puts Monumental Sculpture on Display in Ponca City
- Woolaroc Announces New Exhibit Featuring the Collection of Dr. S. J. Pickens & Hugh Pickens
- Ponca City Monthly publishes story about Pickens Learning Commons at NOC
- Pickens Learning Commons Opens at NOC Tonkawa
- Pickens Museum Acquires "War Club" by Yatika Starr Fields January 20, 2022
2021
- Pickens Museum/NOC Mural Dedication Set for June 16th
- Yatika Starr Fields Completes Mural for Pickens Museum May 12, 2021
- Pickens Museum and NOC Announce Mural by Osage Artist Yatika Starr Fields May 5, 2021
- Osage Warrior in the Enemy Camp (Counting Coup) by John Free March 29, 2021
- Pickens Museum Displays Route 66 Murals by Robert Hardee March 29, 2021
- Pickens Museum Opens Exhibit of Sculpture by Donald De Lue at NOC March 24, 2021
- Pickens Museum partners with NOC February 23, 2021
2020
- Three Faces of the Pioneer Woman February 21, 2020
- Letter from a Birmingham Jail by Faith Ringgold February 21, 2020
- Exhibition: "Winter in New York" January 22, 2020
2019
2018
- The Turquoise Guitar by Jolene Bird November 26, 2018
- World's Largest Naja August 29, 2018
- A 1949 Hudson Limousine August 29, 2018
- Meet the Museum Design Team May 21, 2018
- A Ponca City Mystery April 5, 2018
- Tonya Rafael Visits Ponca City February 2018
2015 and before
- Sculptor Bryant Baker's Lost Masterpiece November 3, 2015
- Pioneer Woman Models Come Home February 26, 2010
- Pioneer Woman Models Should Return to Ponca City July 13, 2007
About Pickens Museum
Contact
hughpickens@gmail.com
Gallery
Osage Warrior in the Enemy Camp by Sculptor John Free.
Osage Warrior in the Enemy Camp by Sculptor John Free.
Three Faces of the Pioneer Woman by Artist Daniel Pickens at our Ponca City location.
War Club" by Osage Artist Yatika Starr Fields
Three Faces of the Pioneer Woman by Artist Daniel Pickens. located in City Centra in Ponca City.
Painting by Peruvian Artist Josue Sanchez. Photo Credit: Hugh Pickens Pickens Museum