Logan Maxwell Hagege - Artistic Evolution
If you love the West and you love art, then you are likely already a fan of Logan Maxwell Hagege. He is a renowned painter whose depictions of the people and landscapes of the West have won him acclaim around the globe. His work is as stunning as it is unique, and when you see one of Logan’s pieces, there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind as to exactly who painted it. He uses bold colors and striking composition to create a style that is entirely his own-- a style that continues to evolve, even after all of his success.
Logan was born and raised in California, and he has been an obsessive artist for as long as he can remember. Whether drawing, playing music, surfing, or painting, Logan has always gone “all in” on his creative pursuits. And as you’ll hear, Logan’s tendency towards obsession is fueled by a tireless work ethic and deep commitment to continuing to grow as an artist-- he is always pushing himself and refuses to rest on his laurels. That’s not to say that Logan doesn’t suffer from artistic blocks from time to time. But when he does, rather than wallow, he’s developed hard-nosed, time-tested methods of summoning creativity and continuing to push forward.
I’ve been a fan of Logan’s for many years, so I was thrilled to get the opportunity to chat with him. We covered a lot, including his childhood creative obsessions and how his parents nurtured his artistic streak. We talk about his formal art education, and how he made the jump from art student to professional artist. Logan describes the evolution of his work, and how his early paintings are almost unrecognizable when compared to his current style. We chat about how he maintains focus after so many years of professional art, and he describes specific ways that he pushes himself to continue to evolve as an artist. He explains how he knows when a painting is finished, and how having a son has changed his routine and outlook. And as usual, we discuss favorite books, films, and the best advice he’s ever received.
There’s a ton of useful information in this episode so be sure to check the episode notes for links to everything. Enjoy!
https://mountainandprairie.com/logan-hagege/
TOPICS DISCUSSED:
- 4:00 - How Logan describes his work
- 6:30 - Logan’s childhood artistic endeavors
- 8:15 - Art education
- 10:00 - Transition from art school to professional artist
- 12:15 - Old work compared to new work
- 15:00 - Transition to a new style of painting
- 16:45 - Source of Logan’s independence
- 19:15 - Importance of work ethic
- 20:30 - How he keeps the artistic motivation alive
- 21:20 - When the southwest became a focus
- 23:15 - Logan’s daily creative schedule
- 25:00 - How parenthood affected Logan’s outlook
- 26:30 - Logan’s studio spaces
- 28:00 - The inspiration for Logan’s works
- 29:45 - How to know when a painting is done
- 32:00 - Thoughts on looking at others’ artwork
- 35:00 - What Logan listens to while painting
- 36:30 - The business of art
- 38:35 - Mentors and heroes
- 41:00 - Books on creativity
- 42:30 - Other non-art activities
- 46:30 - Favorite books
- 48:30 - Daily rituals and getting to work
- 51:00 - More favorite books
- 52:00 - Favorite films
- 54:30 - Most powerful outdoor experience
- 58:45 - Best advice ever received
- 1:03:30 - Request of the listeners