Gary Aagaard

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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