John Haag, 1980 | Realist / Impressionist painter

John Haag is a professional artist whose work has been described as a fusion of impressionism and realism. Specializing in oil and charcoal, Haag began painting at the age of 18 and selling his work at age 21. He had his first solo show at age 24 in Park City, UT. Working primarily as a portrait artist in his early career, Haag’s work can be found in private collections throughout the US and has been commissioned by many prominent Americans, including the late world renowned author/speaker Steven R. Covey.

Over his career Haag’s work has evolved from intimate landscapes and portraits, to narrative figurative work more cinematic in nature.  By using a variety of applications and surfaces, Haag endeavors to create a world that feels just outside our own reality.

His pursuit of new inspiration and hunger for learning new processes and techniques has taken him to over 25 countries throughout Europe, Asia, and South America. This search for new ways to convey his ideas has led Haag to begin painting with transparent oils on surfaces gilded with precious metals in 2008.  He is considered one of the pioneers of the process of creating full color representational works in oil on gold leaf. 

Along with the Pre-Raphaelite and Naturalist movements of 19th century Europe, Haag’s work has been influenced by the two-dimensional  and sculptural work of the Art Nouveau movement, as well as the symbolist stained-glass works of medieval Europe.  Inspiration for his work is also drawn from themes in Classical and Romantic poetry and classical music, as well as philosophical meditations on modern man’s relationship to the natural world.

His recent compositions have focused on the interaction of light and movement, as well as the relationship of the human figure with the organic elements found in nature.

John Haag currently works and resides in Austin TX, and Salt Lake City, UT.

I strive to capture the subtle beauty of that fleeting moment in my subjects. By stripping away the details and finding the raw essence I seek to create a simpler, truer form of what I see, says John. By using a wide variety of surface textures and applications, Haag seeks to create a visual tapestry that transports the viewer into a space of beauty and intimacy. I seek to focus my creative powers on creating work that uplifts and enriches. My work is the result of an ongoing personal artistic journey that began with my love of the impressionist and classical representational painters of the late 19th century, says John. Influenced by 1870s French figurative master Jules Bastien-Lepage, my work is a fusion of these two artistic movements. I believe we have an innate need for beauty. We seek after it. We are drawn toward it. Whether through music, literature or visual design, it brings us closer to a place we long to be. It is my desire that people experience this through my art.