Elizabeth Hagan
WELCOME!
Thank you for visiting my online studio!
Please visit often or contact me at my studio in Lexington, Kentucky.
My early childhood was spent in western Kentucky where we often watched speedboat races on the Ohio River. Its surface sparkled like dancing diamonds. That early experience influenced my fascination with light. I am drawn to all forms of it....sun, moon and star light, candle and reflected light, rainbows in the sky and in the mists of waterfalls, glowing life in the oceans, phosphorescent minerals from the earth, shooting stars and comets in the cosmos. And I can't ignore its enhancing companion...shadows.
As an artist, I chase the light to create the atmosphere I want to portray in my art. And the light chases me to remind my human nature to function at my best. I practice and teach meditation and stress reduction techniques to individuals, groups and patients. We often work with cosmic and cellular light energy for healing, to enhance awareness, tap into inner dimensional connections, and send and receive energy. Meditation pushes me to interpret the mystical and surreal, as it has with the Cosmos series I'm developing. You can view Light Runner, the first of that series, posted in my Ethereal Expressions Gallery.
Currently my art isn't focused on specific subjects or creating a single recognizable style. When faced with social and political injustices I have created illustrations that protest, and encourage people to stand up and take action. My desire is to create a variety of art that helps people feel comfort, ease and peace, and inspires a heart connection with each other, our world, and realms beyond it.
I work with pastel, oil, airbrush, graphite, pen and ink, mixed media, and gouache. I also draw and paint with digital software which provides a great deal of control to achieve the effects I want. Drawing and painting in Illustrator and PhotoShop evolved from my 38-year corporate design career. In the past few years I have focused more on illustration than design. This shift in focus has opened a doorway for me to return to a creative journey that I contemplated before committing to a design career.
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Exhibits:
Group show: Open Spaces September 21-November 2, 2018
Arts Infusion project (contributing artist) Fund for the Arts Campaign, Lexington KY, Arts Place, September 2018
Art fair: Earthlight Night Market, Berea, KY, April 6, 2018
Arts Infusion project (contributing artist), Fund for the Arts Campaign, Lexington, KY, Arts Place September 6, 2017 Exhibition of donated work by contributing artists and reception for public service agencies to select art. I donated Swans that Swim at Night . It was selected and permanently installed at Family Care Center, Lexington KY.
Group show: Phoenix Institute, June-September, 2017
Group show: Phoenix Institute, August-November, 2016
Group show: Phoenix Institute, March-July 2016
Group show: Phoenix Institute, 1997
Contributions to the Lexington, KY Arts Community:
(1993) Instrumental in the creation of the Lexington, KY Gallery Hop now known as Lexarts Hop. Presented proposal for the Hop to Dee Peritz director of The Lexington Art Council, and a representative for Mayor Pam Miller. Later I gave this proposal to Mike Stutland (Artique Gallery) and Katie Baroni (folk art gallery owner) for presentation to the Lexington Arts Council and the Gallery Hop was created.
Publications and books:
Cover Art, illustrations: REACH global corporate magazine, Parker Hannifin, Parker Seal Group, Lexington, KY, multiple media, 1986
Article illustration, Christian Science Monitor, Boston, MA, graphite, 2003
Cover Art, book design, Gold Rush: Eclipse Press, Lexington, KY, photo composite, title logo, digital media, 2007
Cover Art, corporate magazine design, 4 US and 1 AUS issues, EquiNews, KER, Versailles, KY 2007-2008
Cover Art, book design, Gate Beautiful: Ron Butler, author, Lexington KY, digital media, pen and ink, 2010
Cover Art, Black Ice, Undercover: PJ Spencer, author, Lexington, KY, digital media, 2015
Featured Editorial Cartoon, Lexington-Herald Leader, Lexington, KY, Kim Davis, Rowan County Clerk, KY digital media, September 2015
Featured Editorial Cartoon, Lexington-Herald Leader, Lexington, KY, Governor Bevin, Medicaid, digital media, July 2016
Special Projects, Awards and Successes:
PJ SPENCER, AUTHOR, Lexington, KY
Black Ice, Undercover
2015 Art Director, book cover design and illustration
RON BUTLER, AUTHOR, Lexington, KY
The Gate Beautiful
2010 Art Director, book cover, book interior, design and illustrations, production
BLOOD-HORSE PUBLICATIONS, ECLIPSE PRESS, Lexington, KY
Barbaro, the Horse Who Captured America’s Heart
2006—2007 Graphic Designer, book chapters, front matter, interior design and production. (182 pgs)
BLOOD-HORSE PUBLICATIONS, ECLIPSE PRESS, Lexington, KY
Gold Rush: How Mr. Prospector Became Racing’s Billion-Dollar Sire
2007 Graphic Designer, book cover, interior design and production. (260 pgs)
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY HEALTH CARE
University of Kentucky Hospital Annual Report (2005)
Multi-phase hospital expansion annual report/proposal, (24 pages plus covers)
Worked directly with the Chief of Staff for the Office of the Executive V.P. of Health Affairs
Result: State Legislature approved funding for expansion
2006 Art direction, design and production
AQUENT: ARTIST'S AGENT (Nashville, TN)
McGraw Hill: No Child Left Behind education project
2005 Illustrator: 100 illustrations
Actus Lend Lease: Proposal for $375 million military housing/community development.
2005 Graphic Designer: proposal attachment book (80 pages)
Result: The contract was awarded to client
ALL SEASONS SUNROOMS, Nicholasville, KY
Identity development, Multi-piece direct-mail campaign.
2004-2005 Project creative director, graphic designer, production, project facilitation
Results: six figure sales in first two selling months, comparable follow-up sales, continued new and repeat business
MR. BILL MOORE, CIRCUIT JUDGE (May Primary), Versailles, KY
1999 Graphic Design and Marketing consultant:
May primary win for Circuit Judge, Div. II.
MR. EDWIN MILLER, STATE SENATOR, Cynthiana, KY
1998 Graphic Design and Marketing consultant:
May primary campaign, November campaign, elected to the Kentucky State Senate, defeated the incumbent.
SANCTUARY OF DELAWARE (Sponsor), Wilmington, DE
Deepak Chopra, “Quantum Healing” full day seminar University of Delaware Campus
1992 Director of Sanctuary, project facilitator, advertising coordinator, and contract negotiator
HOUSE OF COMMONS, Lexington, KY
Linda Carroll Forrest, "Love in the Fast Lane" 3 min country music video
Aired in 85 markets including Country Music Television, and the Nashville Network.
1989 Coordinator: Nashville Location
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY, Finance Cabinet, Frankfort, KY
VIP Kentucky Derby Invitation, which introduced the Kentucky Lottery.
Client: Governor and Mrs. Wallace Wilkinson
1989 Graphic Designer, Illustrator:
HOUSE OF COMMONS, Lexington, KY
"The Bug" commercials, Aim Advertising, Charleston, W. Va
Client: Thomas Memorial Hospital, Care Center 24
Lexington Addy Awards: Best of Show, 2 golds
Charleston/Huntington, WV Addys: Best of Show, 6 golds
Four :30 and one :10 spots - (Black and white film)
1987—1988 Art Director: Set designer, Supervisor of set construction, props acquisition, set design budget administrator
HOUSE OF COMMONS: Lexington, KY
Darrell Holt, "Only the Strong Survive", 3 min Country Music Video
National release: aired Nashville Now, Country Music Television, Nashville Network. Single charted 60’s Billboard and 30’s Cashbox.
1988 Art Director: Design and supervision of set construction, props acquisition, set design budget administrator
SHAKERTOWN VIDEO DEPARTMENT — Harrodsburg, KY
Video: Kentucky, A Future at Risk, The State of the Commonwealth. 20 minute video
Shakertown Roundtable Conference (Nov. 8, 1987)
1988 Graphic Designer, logo and opening graphics, post production assistant to Michael Breeding, producer
SALLY HOLWAY, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS, Lexington, KY
Hicks Livestock Video, Kentucky State Fair
1987 Assistant Producer
PARKER HANNIFIN CORPORATION—Parker Seal Group, Lexington, KY
REACH: global corporate magazine (six consecutive issues)
1986—1988 Art Director: Design and produce logo and magazine format
HOUSE OF COMMONS, Lexington, KY
AD AGENCY: Ad Success, Lexington, KY, Client: US Hamburger, :30 spot,
1987 Art Director: Set design and supervision of set construction
Professional Experience:
Principal, Grand Design, Lexington Kentucky, 1995 to present (A+ BBB rating)—Creative direction, art direction, design, production, illustration, media placement, project facilitation for Fortune 500 ISO/9001 certified, industrial and manufacturing corporations, higher learning institutions, international publishers, individuals, start ups, small businesses, wholesale and retail businesses, political campaigns and non-profits.
—Notable clients include: Parker Hannifin and Parker Seals, (Lexington KY, Atlanta GA, Irvine CA), Square D, Bullard, Trane, Komatsu Remann NA, Aquent (Nashville, TN): Actus Lend Lease and McGraw Hill; University of Kentucky Health Care Marketing, Blood-Horse, Eclipse Press, House of Commons (Lexington KY), Lexington Tree Foundation, Central Kentucky Ornamental & Turf Association, Gwen Reardon (equine sculptor), Ron Butler (author), PJ Spencer (author), Horse Cave Theater, Thomas & King/Applebees, All Seasons Sunrooms, Hayward Family (California), Martha V. DuPont The Sanctuary, (Wilmington, DE), State Senator Edwin Miller, Governor and Mrs. Wallace Wilkinson, Commonwealth of Kentucky Finance Cabinet
BEAU GRAPHICS, Lexington, KY
February 1996 — July 1997
Art director
ALLIANCE MEDIA/BIOGRAPHICS, Lexington, KY
March 1994—February 1996
Art director
BIOGRAPHICS, Lexington, KY
August 1993—February 1996
Art director
VERY SPECIAL ARTS, Frankfort, KY
May 1993—April 1994
Program director
Free-lance Designer, Lexington, KY
December 1991—May 1993
THE SANCTUARY OF DELAWARE LTD. Wilmington, DE
Founder Mrs. Henry E. I. du Pont
August 1990—December 1991
Director
FREIBERT ADVERTISING, Louisville, KY
March 1989—August 1989
Art director
LAPIN ENTERPRISES, Graphic Arts Studio Lexington KY
February 1979—1990
Principal
C&H RAUCH, Lexington, KY
42 store jewelry chain, located in Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Virginia
February 1982—May 1984
Assistant Advertising Manager
SEARS ROEBUCK AND CO, Lexington, KY
January 1975—March 1978
Visual Merchandiser: 13 departments, store front window display, regional and national awards
MARLON HARGIS, Keyboardist, Vocalist, EXILE, Lexington, KY
Costume design and construction
1972-1982 (a personal and professional relationship)
Exile is an internationally recognized American band, noted for ten number 1 Country hits (1980's), plus the #1 hit Kiss You All Over (1978), and numerous chart topping hits written and performed by members of Exile.
Alabama, Janie Fricke, and the Forester Sisters covered several Exile penned songs with chart topping results.
2013 Exile joined Trace Adkins on his 11th Studio Album.
Exile received 11 nominations for Vocal as well as instrumental Group of the Year from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.
2013 Exile was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame
Exile continues to produce and perform music, and tours extensively.
Education and Professional Training
University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky—(1978) Costume design
1986 Airbrush training, DGEF Peoria, IL, instructor—nationally recognized illustrator, Michael Casey.
1986 Photoshop Training: ThunderLizard Productions, Orlando, FLA
1999-2006 Apple, Adobe, design software training seminars: Los Angeles, San Diego, Nashville, Cincinnati, and Quark Denver CO
2010-2013 DMAG Lexington, KY
2006 to present Lynda.com: (Training Certificates), InDesign, PhotoShop, Illustrator, Keynote, Pages, Numbers, Animation, Flash, Digital Illustration, Excel, Microsoft Word, Powerpoint