Artistic Heritage

My appreciation for art was shaped long before I ever picked up a paintbrush. Growing up, I was surrounded by stories of two remarkable grandfathers whose lives reflected different, yet equally meaningful, contributions to the world of fine art. My maternal grandfather, Norman Hart, was a landscape painter and master frame maker whose creativity found expression through his own artwork and craftsmanship. My paternal grandfather, Herald R. Clark, devoted his life to advancing the arts through education and was instrumental in preserving one of America's most important collections of paintings by the renowned Western artist Maynard Dixon.

Although I have followed my own artistic path, their passion for beauty, craftsmanship, and the enduring value of original art has been a lasting source of inspiration. Their legacy reminds me that great art not only enriches our lives today, but also connects generations through a shared appreciation for creativity, history, and the landscapes that define us.

Norman Hart - Artist | Master Frame Maker

Norman Hart was born in Utah and was the nephew of Utah’s famous artist, John Hafen (additional information on John Hafen). Some of Mr. Hart’s earliest recollections, and doubtless his first artistic inspirations, originated from “Uncle Johnny’s” studio. Norman Hart commenced his art studies under Professor Eastman of the B.Y.U., in Provo, Utah. He came to California in later years and continued his studies under such able instructors as Henry L. Richter and Mildred Byant Brooks. Mr. Hart was a versatile artist whose works include etchings, watercolor, oils and life drawing. He was a member of the Spectrum Club of Long Beach, the Long Beach Art Association, and the Painters and Sculptors Club of Los Angeles.

Paint out in the southern California Desert. Estimate that this photo was taken around 1932 judging by the age of the young boy (my uncle Norman, my mother’s older brother). My grandfather is standing behind the boy, near the center of the group sporting a tie and glasses.

My grandfather Hart owned a custom framing shop in Long Beach, CA where he crafted hand-carved, gold-leaf frames for many of his contemporary artists in the Southern California area. He also designed and crafted painting boxes, two of which serve as my easels today!

When I was 9 years old, just shortly after my grandfather passed away, my grandmother gifted me one of his hand-crafted painting box easels for my birthday.  It remains my primary easel in my own studio today.

Many years later my mother gave me his original prototype painting box easel.  He was painting in his studio and took a short break to change a lightbulb for my grandmother and suffered a fatal heart attack.  Days later, grief stricken, my grandmother went into his studio and simply closed the lid and stored it away.  It was too painful for her to see it there with his oil paint pallet still in the condition that he left it.  To my surprise, when I opened it for the first time it was like traveling back in time to his last painting in progress.  Oddly, the palette of colors I have been using is almost identical to his.  Coincidence? 

Herald R. Clark | Patron of the Arts
Paternal Grandfather

Herald R. Clark (1890–1966) served as Dean of the College of Commerce at Brigham Young University and believed that great art, music, and literature were essential to a well-rounded education.

In 1937, during the Great Depression, he traveled to San Francisco to meet renowned Western artist Maynard Dixon. Recognizing the lasting importance of Dixon's work, Clark arranged the purchase of 85 paintings and drawings for Brigham Young University. That visionary acquisition became the cornerstone of one of the nation's most significant institutional collections of Maynard Dixon's artwork and helped establish BYU's enduring commitment to preserving American art.

What began as a business transaction soon developed into a lasting friendship. Their correspondence, preserved by our family, offers a rare glimpse into the life and character of one of America's most celebrated Western artists. These letters and historical documents remain a treasured part of our family's artistic heritage.

Historical References

For readers interested in learning more about Herald R. Clark, his friendship with Maynard Dixon, and their lasting contribution to American Western art, the following historical documents are available:

The Heart of Maynard Dixon - Conversations with Herald R. Clark

Escape to Reality The Western World of Maynard Dixon (Excerpt)

Herald R. Clark Memory Book

Letter from Herald R. Clark to Edith Dixon (November 21, 1946)

"A Legacy of Splendor" - Deseret News Memorial Tribute

Continuing the Tradition

The influence of my grandfathers extends far beyond family history. From Norman Hart I inherited an appreciation for craftsmanship, painting, and the importance of creating art by hand. From Herald R. Clark I gained an appreciation for the enduring value of original works of art and the importance of preserving our artistic heritage for future generations.

Today, I continue that tradition through original oil paintings inspired by California's Eastern Sierra, the American Southwest, and the landscapes that have shaped my own life. Every painting I create reflects not only my personal experiences in these remarkable places, but also a lifelong appreciation for the artists and patrons whose example has inspired my own journey.