Department working and designing road signs . Hardy spend 35 years working there before retiring in 2013 .
While Hardy enjoyed his work in the state highway sign department , his creative artwork passion happened in his home work garage .
“ I made a lot of signs during my 35 years at the highway department , but my creative release was coming home and
doing freehand artwork in my garage ,” Hardy recalled .
During his time at the highway department , freehand art gave way to computer technology sign making . But Hardy was hesitant to give up his “ old school ’” ways of artwork .
“ There is a group of guys I hang out with called the ‘ Ol ’ Skool Boys ’,” Hardy laughed . “ Myself , Johnny Ringo , Larry Warren , Gary
Todd , and Cliff Dick still like to do hand painting artwork , airbrush , and pinstriping .”
Hardy was honored with a freehand art design right before he retired from the highway department . Hardy designed the Tuskegee Airman Trail logo , which was highlighted on road signs along the I-75 corridor in Kentucky .
Over the past several years , Hardy ’ s artwork has shown up on cars , mailboxes ,
38 • SEKY - Life in Southeast Kentucky february 2023