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Hardie Gramatky
(1907-1979)
Born in Dallas, Texas, Hardie Gramatky became an illustrator of national reputation, especially known for his Little Toot children's books for G.P. Putnam's Sons. One of the first books to convey personality of a machine, Little Toot was created by Gramatky when he was an animator at Disney Studios in California. He was also a painter, especially known for his watercolors, and did American Scene paintings of cityscapes, landcapes, seashores, and construction workers.
He grew up in Southern California and began his artistic career in 1926 while a student at Stanford University and then continued to study at Chouinard Art Institute. He became a member of the California Water Color Society, and was a key artist in the development of the California Style, which brought new respectability to watercolor painting on location.
From 1930 to 1936, he worked as an animator for Walt Disney Studios and then moved East to do magazine and childrens' s book illustration.
During World War II, he returned to Los Angeles, and in 1946 worked on the cartoon G.I. Joe. From 1947 to 1979, he worked as an illustrator in Connecticut where he died.
Member: National Academy of Design, New York Water Color Club, American Watercolor Society, California Water Color Society.
Works held: Toledo Museum of Art, 1938, "American in the Park".
Sources:
Gordon McClelland and Jay Last, The California Style
Edan Hughes, Artists in California, 1786-1940
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