This is David Hagen's ArtOMatic 09 space. I stopped because I know this is the kind of art my husband loves:  whimsical, slightly off kilter with a great deal of fun energy that hops off the wall.  What's not to love here?  The picture I took  is of The Big Bug which is that startled looking thing on the right, over the robots.  How could you pass this and not smile, even years into seeing it in your home?

Here's a bit more about David before we move into the interview section:  David Hagen is a member of the National Cartoonists Society and the Illustrators Club of DC.  He works as a graphic artist/photographer for Georgetown University

and is an illustrator of children’s book, magazines, advertising, textbooks. Newspapers, children’s menus and associations (like Clorox, Texaco, Dunkin Donuts, National Geographic among others).  He has a Master’s degree in History from Georgetown University and says he is thus “an awesome Trivial Pursuit partner.”

Here's David's interview, presented as a monologue which works just fine for me: 

            This is my first Artomatic and I couldn't be more impressed and thrilled to be participating. Perfect timing for me and everything has been wonderful from the site selection to the opening night! I think this is the perfect audience for my work and so far the positive response has  been overwhelming.
 
             I'm on the 8th floor (8 01) overlooking the Nationals Park spectacular view. I took my parents to see my art and they spent much of the time taking photographs of the stunning DC skyline!

             I had just had a solo show of my paintings and prints called "Identified & Unidentified"  in Arlington in March and April  this year, so I had several paintings left over from that and then knocked out a couple more before showtime!

      I've been illustrating and cartooning for over 25 years. The painting has been a friendly outlet for a number of years. I can paint what I like without an art director's control. I love to make people smile with my artwork and I think it's been successful.
 
             I draw inspiration from cartoonist Herge's "clear line" and his Adventures of Tintin books that I love and also  from comic strip cartoonist Bud Blake who drew the lovable and expressive strip Tiger for many years.
 
             I attended opening night and spent a lot of time hiding behind someone's installation peeking at people looking at my wall of artwork. It was so fulfilling to see people laughing, leaving comments, taking photos, and picking up my business card (which reminds me, I've got to make more, I ran out)! I did a lap around my 8th floor and the 7th because that's where the beer was and the 3rd because I wanted to see singer Molly  Hagen perform (we have the same last name, duh). I'm overwhelmed by all the art and need to write down on the map what I've seen and who I like because it can all get overwhelming and confusing after a couple hours of strolling around and looking at everything (or it could be the  beer). I didn't like how the artists are listed in the program  alphabetically by first name, I find that confusing too. I love the diversity and energy of everyone's individual wall.
 
 Anything else?   I am working on a website that will have my art up soon.

 I have a blog.

 I have a zazzle t-shirt/merchandise page

 Hopefully I'll have another solo show of paintings next spring in

and I'll do Artomatic 2010!

I also wanted to let people know they can contact me for commissions. I've already got several including one for a "family portrait!" I'm sure that will be interesting…

Finally, I'm good at Pictionary.  And I once shook hands with Mr. T.

thought for the day:  Joy is the feeling of grinning inside.  Melba colgrove