About Desmond O’Hagan: Artist

All art is a form of story-telling, and mine tells the story of interpreting light – a constant element in my paintings. Whether it is the subtle colors of dusk, or a simple stream of light in a dimly lit interior, all these effects motivate me to capture the image on canvas of paper. Throughout the years, I've worked in watercolor, acrylics, charcoal, pen & ink, and monotypes, but my primary focus is oils and pastels. With oils, I enjoy the expressive brush strokes and the way paint can be manipulated on canvas or paper. With pastels, I love the texture, the explosive color, and the bold strokes I can achieve.

-- Desmond O’Hagan @ 2016

Galleries

The Gallery at Sweetgrass Wild Dunes Resort, 5757 Palm Blvd. Isle of Palms, SC 29451 Phone:843.886.2109

Mirada Fine Art, 1331 15th Street, Denver, CO 80202 Phone: 303.697.9006

Desmond O’Hagan Studio, Denver, Colorado, Phone: 303.895.6648 (by appointment only)

Sugarman Peterson Gallery 130 West Palace Avenue, Santa Fe, NM 87501 Phone:505.982.0340


Biography

Desmond O'Hagan was born in Wiesbaden, Germany, and was raised in the United States. He has been professionally painting for 35 years and resides in Denver, Colorado, where he devotes his time to his art in oils and pastels, and traveling throughout the world.

He has long been considered one of the leading urbanscape artists in the world. In the field, he has won many major awards for his artwork – including:

  • Colorado Governor’s Art Show People’s Choice Award 2022

  • Southwest Art Magazine's Award of Excellence (twice)

  • International Assoc. of Pastel Societies' Prix'd Pastel Award

  • IAPS Juried Show's The Maggie Price Award for Excellence

  • Colorado Governor’s Invitational Art Show Award of Merit 2020, 2019, 2018

Awards at the Pastel Society of America's Annual Shows in New York City:

  • Mrs. Pearl Kalikow Award

  • Hudson Valley Art Association Award

  • Connecticut Pastel Society Award

He has also won the George Innes, Jr. Memorial Award from the Salmagundi Club, and the Top Five Plein Air Paintings Award at the "Altitude & Attitude" Exhibition in Denver, Colorado.

For years, his artwork has been selected for inclusion in a number of prestigious exhibitions across America including Denver Rotary Club's "Artists of America", Colorado Governor's Invitational Art Show, The Pastel Society of America (NYC), and the Salmugundi Club in New York City.

Mr. O'Hagan has also been invited to exhibit artwork internationally in Japan, China, Canada, and France.

Mr. O’Hagan is a Master Pastelist with the Pastel Society of America, and is listed in Who's Who in American Art, Who's Who in America, and in the Hall of Fame at the Art Institute of Colorado.

In May 2005, he was inducted into the International Association of Pastel Societies' "Master Circle". In 2018, he was awarded Eminent Pastelist status by IAPS.