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2008 work new!10-22-08
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"BARNARTIST" SCOTT HAGAN BACKGROUNDER Scott Hagan, 31, of Jerusalem, Ohio, was known widely for the Ohio Bicentennial barn painting campaign. At least one barn in each of Ohio’s 88 counties earned a painting of the official logo during the 1998-2003 years. Coincidentally, Scott was born on November 1, 1976, during our nations Bicentennial. His talents came to light in an October 1997 article in the Ohio newspaper, "The Barnesville Enterprise" titled "Young Artist Puts New Face on Familiar Scene." HOW IT STARTED The Ohio Bicentennial Commission was looking for a unique way to advertise about it’s upcoming birthday, and upon seeing a photograph of the beautiful Ohio State Buckeye logo painted on a Hagan family barn, they began to spin the idea for a statewide project. Scott gained local notoriety painting sports logos on old barns in Belmont County, Ohio. His first project was a Chief Wahoo emblem from his favorite team, the Cleveland Indians. His talent was recognized at school and was asked to paint the baseball field advertisements, and even the school mascot on the 50 yardline during football season. "I just drew around school and stuff. Just a few odds and ends like that," says Hagan. THE BARN PAINTING PROCESS Each barn represents its own challenges in size and placement of the logo. 90% of his work is done freehand beginning with a carpenters crayon and oversized rulers. "Some barns can really soak up the paint, into gaps in the boards and knotholes. But its really nice when the barn has a nice base coat to start with. Otherwise a heavy dose of primer is needed for the longevity of the logo. It’s great to just begin with the artwork," he explains. How does he manage such a task? Scott uses a makeshift scaffolding and some invented tools to help make the projects easier. Most barns average 3-15 gallons of paint, and take 1-3 days to complete. Scott’s freehand painting style has been compared to the work of fellow Belmont Countian Harley Warrick, best known for the thousands of Mail Pouch logos he painted on barns across the country. Warrick was the last of the Mail Pouch painters. "I miss him," says Scott, who grew up 15 miles from his home. "When I was asked to do the Ohio project, I knew I needed more than just a ladder for the work. My Dad called him one day and asked for a visit. He showed me how those guys used rope and pulley scaffolding-how to tie off the knots and rig the block and tackle. I still use his plank that was given to me today." Warrick passed suddenly in the winter of 2000 at age 86. "Now, I really have no one to ask questions of or share barn stories with," he said. Today Hagan has a family and a barn painting business 10 years strong. His work has been featured in several state promotional videos, a national video essay entitled "Discoveries...America", several magazine’s including "Out Here", "Country Magazine", "Ohio Magazine" and more. "USA Today", "The Wall Street Journal", and even "Ripley’s Believe It Or Not" have written articles. Says Scott, "So many people work jobs they dislike. I really love what I do and hope to do it for a long time." THE GOAL Hagan has worked in 10 states and completed over 300 barn paintings with various art. His goal is to have painted in every state. "Some of these paintings will fade gracefully into the landscape just as the Mail Pouch did. I enjoy passing some of my work along the highway after the years pass." |
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZKZo316jG4 This link will take you to youtube for a quick video of a few of my barns. Thanks! For questions and/or quotes on your project, call the artist at: Scott Hagan 55120 New Castle Rd Jerusalem, Oh 43747 barnartist @ dhwireless .net Home 740 926 2445 Mobile 740 310 7494 Please contact if you notice problems with this site.
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