Gary Aagaard

"My work is the product of my environment over the last three decades. Generally, I've had a positive experience yet tend to be irked by frequent political and religious hypocrisy, general apathy and dogma of any stripe that leads to social and spiritual tunnel vision."

FOX Muse - Oil on canvas 18 x 24 x 1.5 in.

“As a fledgling illustrator in Brooklyn during the 1980s, I took on any project thrown my way. I refer to that time as my “snack or famine days”. Eventually, I zeroed in on editorial work and soon scored assignments at publications like The New York Times, Los Angeles Times and The Village Voice (primarily covers). Since the early 2000’s, I’ve concentrated on gallery work with an editorial, satirical slant; essentially larger oil paintings with conceptual content reminiscent of my illustration years.

Lampooning politicians, pundits or spiritual leaders who specialize in alternative facts, manufactured outrage, false equivalents, convoluted conspiracy theories and tunnel-visioned tribalism (whew!) is my form of protest and provides a satisfying outlet (i.e., it minimizes shouting at the TV, reduces those pesky nightmares and eliminates my quest to prove Jeff Sessions is actually an interloper from The Shire). Of course, visually addressing the daily insanity of politics, punditry or social upheaval requires an occasional break, which is when I paint relatively non-confrontational pieces.”

Being Jare (w/apologies to Chauncey Gardiner) - Oil on canvas 20 x 16 x 1.5 in.
Ma Nature Revisited - Oil on canvas 30.5 x 22 in.
She's A Concept, More or Less  - Oil on canvas 36 x 24 x 1.5 in.
Blinded by Delight Redux - Oil on canvas 30 x 20 in.

This review was published by Circle Foundation for the Arts © CFA Press ∙ Images are courtesy of the artist


 

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Gary Aagaard

Born in: 1949, Seattle, WA, USA

Lives in: Tucson, AZ, United States

Media: Painting, Illustration

Describe your work in 3 words: Socio-political commentary

See More Work:  https://aagaardart.com

Blinded by Delight Redux - Oil on canvas 30 x 20 in.

"My work is the product of my environment over the last three decades. Generally, I've had a positive experience, yet tend to be irked by frequent political and religious hypocrisy, general apathy and dogma of any stripe that leads to social and spiritual tunnel vision."

What themes does your work involve?
Political lampoons & social comment.
Describe your creative process.
I always do a series of roughs in pencil on a tracing pad. Once I zero in on an image, I draw it onto a toned canvas. Then I paint the image in oil, adding elements as I go (i.e. I'm not locked into the final rough). Generally, I glaze in areas of greater importance, although sometimes I glaze throughout the composition when time is not an issue.
What influences your work? What inspires you? Why do you make art?
Presently, U.S. politics (don't get me started) and universal social issues (relating to war, the environment, fact-challenged pundits, etc.). I find these subjects both inspirational and ofttimes of great concern, I make art because I feel obligated to address many of the aforementioned issues, plus I continue to enjoy painting, drawing and designing the space.
What is good art? What makes a piece of art great?
What I respond to is a piece that makes me think, draws me into the composition and consider what the artist is trying to convey. Personally, I love clever conceptual and editorial art with the painting or drawing technique being secondary. A great piece of art succeeds in both arenas.
What is the role of the artist today?
Obviously, that depends on the artist. In my case, I hope to inform, entertain and in many cases sound an alarm, visually-speaking.


This page was published by Circle Foundation for the Arts © CFA Press ∙ Images are courtesy of the artist