James Hagerty’s involvement in art began with rust-iron sculptures. Made from castoff farm implements, the first pieces were totems or sites for sprinkling family ashes. These whimsical “anthropomorphisms” were displayed at Ross Watkins, The Art Source, and Aerie and Palapas Art Gardens and other Coachella Valley galleries. Among his patrons are Ralph Waite (of the Waltons), Congresswoman Julie Bornstein and husband, and Robert Gurr, Chief Engineer for Walt Disney.
An unfortunate eye condition brought welding to a premature end. Since the artist enjoys colors and often uses metal paint, he turned to acrylic on canvas. The cubism, image displacement, and inspired distortion of Picasso were a major influence. Minimalism (less is more) is another guidepost. Three-dimensional objects in space (sculpting) will continue to find their way, since nothing is lost, he believes, into flat canvas rendering.
JAMES HAGERTY
The Phantom, 2010
Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 30"
Studio Location: 49988 Aspen Dr. Morongo Valley, CA 92256
From Hwy 62, fo NW on Valley View Rd 1 mi. to Aspen Dr. , go W, studio on NW corner of Aspen and Morongo Way.
760-673-1571