05/26/2026
Our book and painting connection this week is the painting Where the Continent Divides by Harold Isadore Hopkinson and the books Carlsons Guide to Landscape Painting by John F. Carlson, Brushwork Essentials by Mark Christopher Weber and Exploring the West by Herman J. Viola.
Harold Isadore Hopkinson was born in Salt Lake City August 8, 1918 and died Dec 18, 2000. He was raised on a ranch in Fort Bridger, and served in the Navy during WWII on the USS South Dakota. He received 8 battle stars and 6 ribbons for his service in the South Pacific. Following his time in the navy he completed his education receiving B.A. and M.A. degrees in art and administration. He moved to Byron in 1952 to serve as Superintendent of Schools until 1962 and also taught art, speech, and drama.
He studied art at the Art Center School in Los Angeles, the Institute of Commercial Art in Westport, Connecticut, and had many private tutors including Conrad Schwiering of Jackson, recently featured on this page.
Harold resigned in 1962 to paint full time. In our letters from Harold Hopkinson he says “I have been at this ART GAME (emphasis his) all my life. He goes on to say in another publication that this was against his fathers wishes, and at age 10 found some old oil paints of his mothers and began painting, and that he would substitute toothpaste if there was no white.
Hopkinson largely focused on Western American art themes like cowboys, landscapes, horses, and indigenous peoples.
In an interview with Mustang Country it is quoted that “Harold Hopkins paintings are a timeless portrait of an era caught between the past and the changing face of Americas West today, preserving forever a moment that will never be the same again.”
The painting in our collection was donated by the class of 1963, in memory of four students; Bill Young, Eli Goich, Kent Bailey, and Jim Tomich.
If you’d like to see Hopkinsons painting or check out any of these books come in and see us!
CFAC hours:
Monday-Thursday: 10am-6pm
Friday and Saturday: 12pm-5pm
Sunday: Closed
