Robert Hagberg

Nature provides an ever changing display of beauty, which is how I experience the world. My father, an avid photographer, put a camera in my hands at an early age. However, I saw much more than photos while looking through the lens. I saw the promise of a powerful painting that could inspire others to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us all. Encouraged to pursue a liberal arts degree, I followed a course that lead me into the mental health field after receiving a Masters Degree in Counseling and Human Development. After a decade in the mental health profession, I moved to a career in film production as a cameraman and lighting director, which gave me the opportunity to use a television screen as a creative outlet. While both these careers provided a livelihood, they fell short of tapping into my desire to create. The limited number of paintings I did each year sparked the yearning to do more. In 1992, with the blessings and encouragement of my family, I made the decision to pursue painting full time. I found my passion and my bliss, diving into an effort to learn and practice as much as I could. In 1998, I submitted a painting to the, prestigious, National Arts for the Parks competition and was accepted as one of two hundred paintings out of over two thousand submitted. I was inspired and determined to continue to grow and improve. I began a course of self development that included, over the years, workshop studies with Jim Wilcox, Wm. Scott Jennings, Scott Christensen, Michael Albrechtsen, Kathryn Stats, Ray Roberts, Douglas Fryer, and a library of art books. In 2010, I earned signature status in Oil Painters of America which was followed by becoming a signature member with the American Society of Marine Artists. I have been accepted and honored in dozens of national shows including Oil Painters of America, Salon International, Arts for the Parks and first place in landscapes in Artists Magazine’s annual competition. Since 2004, I have been a member, and painted with, the Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters. In 2013, I was honored by being selected to represent Acadia National Park in the, multiple award winning book “Art of the National Parks, Historic Connections - Contemporary Interpretations”. Today, I continue to follow my bliss, exploring new subject matter and methods of painting. I believing that pushing the boundaries of artistic comfort is essential for personal growth and success as an artist.