About
Artist's Statement
In my painting, I look for subjects that allow me to bring strong light and color to the scenes in ways that will evoke in the viewer the same emotion that I felt when I was first attracted to the scene. I enjoy plein air painting in oil and find that it has improved my studio work.
I grew up in the northeast of England near where Winslow Homer did his fantastic watercolors of life in the fishing villages on Northumberland's stormy coast. I was influenced by the dramatic colors and scenes of pirate books illustrated by Howard Pyle, N. C. Wyeth, and others of the Brandywine School. I particularly enjoyed Hopper's urban scenes, which continue to influence my urban and industrial paintings today. After coming to America, I won a position in the New York City (High) School of Industrial Arts, which provided my introduction to the world of commercial art. I also had the occasional drawing lesson at the Art Students' League through teachers who taught at both schools. Subsequently, I veered away from art into the academic world, which encompassed all my attention for five decades.
Since coming to California nearly 30 years ago, I continue to marvel at the strong light and color shown in the striking California landscapes, especially those of the coastal areas. On a visit to an art museum in Vancouver, British Columbia, I saw the works of the Canadian Group of Seven. Those works on exhibit, particularly by Tom Thomson and Lawren Harris, inspired me to begin painting again. While seeking inspiration among local artists, I found the plein air painters of California, particularly the work of Edgar Payne, to be exactly what I was looking for.
I gave up my long-delayed return to watercolor and set out to learn to paint in oil.
My paintings are almost all in oil now. They are typically representational, with emphasis on strong perspective and color and value contrast.
I particularly enjoy dramatizing the intensity, temperature, and value of colors to enhance that effect.
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Alfred Hagan is a self-employed artist who has been juried into the prestigious Pacific Arts Group. His first one-man show was at the Norris Theatre Upstairs Gallery in Rancho Palos Verdes, California in March and April, 2009. Al is an Associate Member of the California Art Club and a Member of the Torrance Artists’ Guild. He has shown in numerous group venues. In 2013, Al’s work was on view at the Toyota Auto Museum, the Katy Geissert Library in Torrance, and at the City of Torrance Centennial Show. He has curated three group shows at the Madrona Marsh Nature Center.
Al holds the position of Emeritus Professor of Economics at Pepperdine University. Al received his Ph.D. degree at the University of Texas, his MBA degree at Indiana University, and his B.S. degree from the University of Maine, Orono. Before his 28 years as Professor of Economics at Pepperdine’s Graziadio School of Business and Management, Al held similar positions at several universities in the United States and lectured extensively in Latin America and Europe.
Awards and Events
Exhibitions
Memberships
In my painting, I look for subjects that allow me to bring strong light and color to the scenes in ways that will evoke in the viewer the same emotion that I felt when I was first attracted to the scene. I enjoy plein air painting in oil and find that it has improved my studio work.
I grew up in the northeast of England near where Winslow Homer did his fantastic watercolors of life in the fishing villages on Northumberland's stormy coast. I was influenced by the dramatic colors and scenes of pirate books illustrated by Howard Pyle, N. C. Wyeth, and others of the Brandywine School. I particularly enjoyed Hopper's urban scenes, which continue to influence my urban and industrial paintings today. After coming to America, I won a position in the New York City (High) School of Industrial Arts, which provided my introduction to the world of commercial art. I also had the occasional drawing lesson at the Art Students' League through teachers who taught at both schools. Subsequently, I veered away from art into the academic world, which encompassed all my attention for five decades.
Since coming to California nearly 30 years ago, I continue to marvel at the strong light and color shown in the striking California landscapes, especially those of the coastal areas. On a visit to an art museum in Vancouver, British Columbia, I saw the works of the Canadian Group of Seven. Those works on exhibit, particularly by Tom Thomson and Lawren Harris, inspired me to begin painting again. While seeking inspiration among local artists, I found the plein air painters of California, particularly the work of Edgar Payne, to be exactly what I was looking for.
I gave up my long-delayed return to watercolor and set out to learn to paint in oil.
My paintings are almost all in oil now. They are typically representational, with emphasis on strong perspective and color and value contrast.
I particularly enjoy dramatizing the intensity, temperature, and value of colors to enhance that effect.
<><><><><><><><>
Alfred Hagan is a self-employed artist who has been juried into the prestigious Pacific Arts Group. His first one-man show was at the Norris Theatre Upstairs Gallery in Rancho Palos Verdes, California in March and April, 2009. Al is an Associate Member of the California Art Club and a Member of the Torrance Artists’ Guild. He has shown in numerous group venues. In 2013, Al’s work was on view at the Toyota Auto Museum, the Katy Geissert Library in Torrance, and at the City of Torrance Centennial Show. He has curated three group shows at the Madrona Marsh Nature Center.
Al holds the position of Emeritus Professor of Economics at Pepperdine University. Al received his Ph.D. degree at the University of Texas, his MBA degree at Indiana University, and his B.S. degree from the University of Maine, Orono. Before his 28 years as Professor of Economics at Pepperdine’s Graziadio School of Business and Management, Al held similar positions at several universities in the United States and lectured extensively in Latin America and Europe.
Awards and Events
- Torrance Artists Guild 2013 Show, 2nd Place Award (Architectural): Antigua Patio, October 2013
- Torrance Artists Guild 2013 Show, 2nd Place Award (Landscape/Seascape): Morning in Antigua, October 2013
- Torrance Artists Guild Member Exhibit, 3rd Place Award: Morning in Antigua, July 2013
- Torrance Artists Guild 2012 Show, Honorable Mention (Architectural): Torrance Refinery, October 2012
- Torrance Artists Guild 2012 Show, Honorable Mention (Landscape): Torrance Life Guard, October 2012
- Torrance Artists Guild Member Exhibit, 3rd Place Award: San Pedro Tie-up, August 2011
- Torrance Artists Guild Member Exhibit, Honorable Mention: P. V. Sunset, July 2010
- Torrance Artists Guild Member Exhibit, Honorable Mention: Roses, July 2010
- Torrance Artists Guild Member Exhibit, 2nd Place Award: San Pedro Fisherman, December 2009
- Torrance Artists Guild, Artist Membership, 2009
- California Art Club, Awarded Associate Artist Membership, 2009
- Pacific Arts Group, Awarded Artist Membership, 2009
- Palos Verdes Arts Center, Artist Membership, 2004
Exhibitions
- Destination: Art Exhibit, Warehouse #10, San Pedro, CA, October 2013
- Group Exhibit of South Bay Artists, Armstrong Theater, Torrance, CA, October 2013
- TAG Art Show 2013, Toyota Auto Museum, Torrance, CA, September 2013
- PAG Paints the Marsh 3, PAG/Madrona Marsh Exhibit, Torrance, CA, August-October 2013
- Solo Exhibition, South Bay Environmental Services Center, Torrance, CA, January 2013
- Holiday Exhibit 2012, Palos Verdes Art Center, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, October 2012-January 2013
- Centennial Art Exhibit 2012, Womans Club, Torrance, CA, October 2012
- TAG Art Show 2012, Toyota Art Museum, Torrance, CA, October 2012
- PAG Paints the Marsh Again, PAG/Madrona Marsh Exhibit, Torrance, CA, 2012
- Holiday Art Show 2011, Palos Verdes Art Center, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, December 2011-January 2012
- PAG Paints the Marsh, PAG/Madrona Marsh Exhibit, Torrance, CA, 2011
- Solo Exhibition, Norris Art Gallery, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, 2009
Memberships
- California Art Club - Associate Artist Member
- Destination: Art - Artist & Founding Member
- Pacific Arts Group (PAG) - Artist Member
- Palos Verdes Art Center (PVAC) - Artist Member
- Torrance Artists Guild (TAG) - Artist Member & TAG Recording Secretary
