John Hagan (1945 - )
by Alan Veitch and Janet Hornsby
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John Hagan, who is a
world-renowned Artist, travels extensively, lecturing, public
demonstrations, solo exhibitions, and is represented in private
collections in the US, Canada, Australia, Italy, UK and other parts of
Europe, has taught and practiced the art of painting for most of his
life. Currently his drawing and painting lessons are used by hundreds
of Schools and Universities around the world either via the Internet or
directly from his CD 'John Hagan's Art Lessons. He has been titled as
the #1 Art Teacher on the Internet, providing lesson notes for the
major Internet education portal of GEM, a special White House
Educational funded initiative, Wet Canvas and through the Cowdisley
Education Group - his Internet site. During his early days, teaching
Senior High School, John designed a basic course for learning to draw
that has helped a generation of youngsters to become visually literate
and inspired them to a future as artists, draftsmen, designers and
architects.
John was classically
trained and learned his craft through formal education in England (1966
- 69) and Australia (64 -66) and by studying (1971-75) under a Master
Painter William Ross RA, who traced his own training via the Julian
Ashton School to the great academic painters of the nineteenth century.
Subsequently, John Hagan has mastered the techniques of both the 19th
Century classic painting method as well as the 20th Century
impressionistic manner and has a unique ability to blend them if it is
required.
Just over three years
ago, the American pay TV History Channel couldn't find a single drawing
or painting of Fletcher Christian, one of the key players on the
Bounty. In searching websites, they found a portrait of Fletcher
Christian painted by John Hagan, who told them he'd gleaned
descriptions of Fletcher Christian from 20 years of studying the
Bounty. And, he'd also come across a drawing of Fletcher Christian's
half-Polynesian son, Friday. John feels his portrait of Fletcher
Christian is about as close as anyone could accurately paint and felt
it was his duty as an Artist to fill in this gap of Art History. Ten of
John Hagan's paintings of his 'Bounty' series, including seascapes and
portraits of Captain Bligh and Fletcher Christian, all done in 'classic
period style were featured in a History Channel documentary of the
'Bounty Story' first screened, 10th. April 2001 as well as in articles
in 'British Heritage' magazine and another nine paintings in a recent
Educational Documentary. Presently, John is writing the finishing
touches to his sequel of Mutiny on the Bounty, which he plans to make
available later this year.
John Hagan works
totally with 'artist' quality pigments, the most reliable of oils and
varnishes, on heavy top quality inert stretched canvas or wooden
panels. If handled properly the pieces are certain to show no canvas
rot, de-lamination or any other structural problems for 500 years, or
longer.
An excellent example
of one of John Hagan's classical art is his Portrait of Shakespeare.
John thoroughly studied examples painted by previous Artists and
Engravers to create his own interpretation of Shakespeare. Also
included in his study was a phrenological drawing of Shakespeare's
skull dated 1807. At present, the original skull of Shakespeare remains
undiscovered but some rumours claim otherwise. You can view and read
more detailed information how John Hagan used his superb artistic
talents to paint his Portrait of Shakespeare here.
You are invited to
browse through the Collections of John Hagan's paintings and to order
sets or individual paintings online with a credit card via our secure
CCNow shopping cart. Click on the links, "Nature", "Floral", "Food",
"Seascapes", and "Miscellaneous" to view the various Collections HERE. You may also order by contacting the Pitcairn Island Study Center.
John Hagan continues to lecture and teach one morning a week at his atelier. See some recent studio/Hagan press cuttings here.
John Hagan's authorized agents: Professor Herb Ford (USA) 707 965 2047
John Hagan
Public Relations: Alan Veitch
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