Walter Hook, painter and
printmaker, was a Montana native. He had degrees from the University of Montana and
the University of New Mexico, plus a modicum of intelligence self-acquired later in
life. After duty in the Navy in World War II, he worked in several mostly unrelated
occupations, but ultimately accepted a long-term commitment as a tax-supported welfare
recipient euphemistically called a "professor of art". In 1977, he retired to
continue in another form of public dole, that as a "pensioner". He
maintained two studios: one in his residence, the other, a secluded one in downtown
Missoula.
Over the years Walter Hook received some
ninety awards from juried exhibitions and had over eighty one-man shows. In 1972 he
was elected an Associate of the National Academy of Design, the nation's oldest artists'
honorary organization. Other honors bestowed on Walter include a Western States Art
Foundation Grant in 1976 and the Montana Governor's Visual Arts Award in 1985.
Other than being old, cranky,
opinionated, and bald, he was tolerable company, particularly when accompanied by his
wife, Margaret. The rest of the family consists of two daughters, Janet and Colleen,
and five grandchildren.
* * *
The above biography is adapted from Walter's Artist Statement as
printed on the book jacket of "Celebration, The Art of Walter Hook"
published by Hit Editions, Missoula, Montana.
Many of the Walter Hook paintings shown here are for sale. For sales
information on the artworks or the book, contact the Lee Morrison Gallery at the address
given below.
Lee Morrison
Lee Morrison Studio and Appraisals
102 Crescent Landing
Polson, MT 59860
Telephone:1-406-883-9469
FAX: same
email: morrison@leemorrisongallery.com
website: www.leemorrisongallery.com
No permission is granted to reproduce any of the
images found on this web site. Permission for reproductions should be obtained
directly from the exhibitor for each artist.
Walter Hook, painter and
printmaker, was a Montana native. He had degrees from the University of Montana and
the University of New Mexico, plus a modicum of intelligence self-acquired later in
life. After duty in the Navy in World War II, he worked in several mostly unrelated
occupations, but ultimately accepted a long-term commitment as a tax-supported welfare
recipient euphemistically called a "professor of art". In 1977, he retired to
continue in another form of public dole, that as a "pensioner". He
maintained two studios: one in his residence, the other, a secluded one in downtown
Missoula.