"Buffalo Stamp"

  • Biography

    Robert Lougheed (1910-1982)

    Robert Lougheed, who came to be known as "the painter's painter," was born and raised on a farm in Ontario, Canada. As a young child, Bob spent hours on the farm sketching animals and wildlife. After contemplating a career as a professional hockey player, he decided to become an artist. He moved to Toronto to work as a newspaper illustrator, while studying at night at the Ontario College of Art. At the age of 25 Bob began a life-long friendship with another illustrator named John Clymer. It was Clymer who convinced Bob to move to New York, where he studied under Frank Vincent Dumond at the famed Arts Students League. He continued working for thirty years as an illustrator and his work appeared in magazines such as National Geographic, Sports Afield and Reader's Digest.

    In the late 1930's, Bob decided to move back to Canada and en-list in the Canadian Army. He was stationed in Quebec outside of Valleyfield where he continued to paint often. His Post Commander was so impressed with his talent that he allowed Bob time off to study at Ecole des Beaux Arts in Montreal. Bob received orders to ship out to Europe shortly before the war ended, but was released from service before shipping out.

    He spent the next 20 plus years in Westport, Connecticut where there was a large community of illustrators. During these years, among other things, he created the Flying Red Horse ads for Mobile Oil Company, and landed a multi-year commission for DuPont to paint the Annual National Field Dog Champions. It is in Westport that he met his wife Cordy, who was visiting from St. Croix, Virgin Islands, where she was working for the Red Cross. Soon afterwards, Bob traveled to the Virgin Islands and the two were married.

    He traveled widely throughout the West, particularly the old Bell Ranch country of New Mexico. In 1970, he was commissioned by the Post Office Department to design the six-cent buffalo stamp for the Wildlife Conservation Series. Books he illustrated are Mustang, with the paintings in the Cowboy Hall of Fame, and San Domingo.

    In 1970 Bob and Cordy decided to make Santa Fe, New Mexico their home, where he lived until his death in 1982.

    Robert Lougheed was dedicated to painting. Although he spent over thirty years as an illustrator, he always considered himself a fine art painter. He spent much of his time traveling and painting Alaska, Quebec, Hawaii, Virgin Islands, England, France and British Columbia. Relative to outdoor painting he used to say that "the best information is always in front of you", and he lived by this. Years of observation had taught him to work quickly and from nature, whenever possible.

    Robert Lougheed's interest in art went far beyond his own easel. He was one of the prime movers in the founding of the National Academy of Western Art at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, and continued to serve as an adviser for many years. He also gave generously of his time as a teacher to many young painters who came to him.

    Throughout his lifetime Lougheed earned over 25 awards at both the National Academy of Western Art and the Cowboy Artists of America.