Garnet Hazard was born in Wallaceburg, Ontario. When he was a year old, the family moved to Saskatchwan to farm. His first art instruction was given by a lady in Moosejaw, Sask., who was a painter of china. Before pursuing further art studies, he taught in rural Saskatchewan for a time. He then headed to the United States to study at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts, and the American Academy of Art (also in Chicago). After taking further training at the Phoenix Art Institute, he traveled to New York to study under the well-known illustrators, Franklin Booth and Thomas Fogarty. He returned to Saskatchewan to become the Director of Art Education at the Regina Technical College. He was also an instructor at the Regina College for many years.
During the Second World War, he traveled across Canada giving illustrated art lectures called ”Chalk Talks” under the auspices of they Navy League. He moved to Owen Sound, Ontario and developed a relationship with the Dale Carnegie Institute in Ontario and the Caribbean. After traveling around the world on a tramp steamer, he finally settled in Glen Tay, Ontario, with his wife. At a showing of his paintings at the Tom Thomson Memorial Art Gallery, he exhibited watercolour works and drawing from his travels around the world. An article in the Owen Sound Sunday Times expounded on the “sheer beauty and design” of the 38 watercolour and pencil works on display. The exhibition included landscapes from Europe, the Caribbean and various Canadian locations.
He exhibited in many cities across Canada over the years. He was a member of the Society of Canadian Painter-Etchers and Engravers.
Source: "A Dictionary of Canadian Artists, Volume II”, compiled by Colin S. MacDonald, Canadian Paperbacks Publishing Ltd, Ottawa, 1979
