DAVID COLEMAN HICKMAN

Even though I had commented on David's contribution to my artistic journey years ago, I find a dozen years later he is still very much part of my life. Attending Uof H pursuing a BFA, after a tour of duty in Vietnam, my wife and I were blessed with the news that twin boys would be joining us at the beginning of my Senior year. We both worked, one room apartment, one shared twelve year old car, a dog, kid's on the way...no way we were gonna' survive unless I dropped out college and got a...

I just caught up with the wonderful Hickman family while reading "Truman" by David McCullough. Apparently David's grandfather andfather were associated with their neighbor Harry S. Truman in Blue River County, MO. I remember David's father mentioning Independence, Mo and Truman in a long ago discussion. In 1957 at De Pauw U David suggested I live with his mother and father in Cleveland Heights while I attended Case Tech, since he and his sister were away at school. It was a great 2/12...

Just learned of David Hickman’s passing. He was a friend, neighbor, mentor. As a kid I aspired to be somewhat like him. I’d watch him painting in his studio, showed him my watercolors, listen to his comments, even helped hang his show at Ars Longa Gallery. He sort of stuck out his neck for me and got me into that first MFA program at U of H. He encouraged me to broaden my horizons so I moved to NYC, found a loft, a gallery, followed his example so to speak. It’s fifty plus years since I met...

Dear Mr. Hickman, I am finally doing it. I am facing my fears about being an artist. I enrolled at Lesley University for my MFA, they are a tight knit community that lasts a life time. I am literally moving to Massachusetts within the next few weeks. I got a teaching position part-time and I plan on finally doing what you wanted me to do, show my work in galleries. I am scared, and I am excited too. You are with me as I do this, it was a great loss to me, your leaving, but you left a seed of...

Hello, I've discoverd that one of my favorite paintings, (standing figure before floral patterns) was created by david. I'm sure he was a good man. I've had it 20 yrs alone. God bless

David was my drawing instructor at Northern Illinois University . He was so positive in his instruction. I thought I maybe should quit art altogether however he advised me not to do that. I learned a whole lot from him. This time was 1966-67

September 10, 2017

I just got the Internet on my home computer and finally have time to explore it. David had given me a poster of his painting, "Innergarden," for my 50th birthday. Because it is so beautiful, it hangs in my bedroom, where I see it every day, so I decided to look him up and see what he was doing. To my great shock and sadness, I discovered that he had died. Seeing his smiling face on this page makes me sadder still. In the 1980s and early '90s I was one of only 4 art...

To the Hickman Family,
I was saddened to read of David's passing. He was a fellow DePauw University graduate and a close friend. I introduced him to my uncle who hired him into the Art Department at Northern Illinois University. I have four pieces of his work--three floral silk screens, one pin-up painting.

I was thinking about him today in light of all the news out of Houston, and found his obituary. I hope you are out of harm's way and safe.

With heartfelt sympathy...