Artist Murray Wagnon

Having grown up in San Luis Obispo, King City and Los Gatos in the ‘50’s & 60’s, the California coastal landscape became an integral part of who I am. Recalling the sense memories of those environs of my youth has been a driving force in my attempts to capture a timeless essence in my landscapes. In addition to the inspiration of my native California, travels throughout the United States and Europe have given me the opportunity to capture that same essence from the experiences of new and different cultures and landscapes.

I am driven to express my interpretation of the world around me, filtered through my own esthetic sensibility.

My formal art education began in the 1960’s at Cal Poly S.L.O., West Valley College in Saratoga, Mission College in San Jose, Santa Clara University, private workshops, and independent studies.

As a student, I was involved in ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, abstract and representational painting, photography, commercial art, advertising design, and art history.

I began painting in acrylics.  After a year I switched to oils, fell in love with the medium, and have been painting in oils ever since.

I have done intense independent studies of : The Impressionists and their evolutionary descendants, with a special emphasis on Cezanne.  The Abstract Expressionists of the New York School.  The California plein air painters.

Organizations:
Member – Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association

Events & shows:
Windows on Art – City of San Jose Art Council
City Hall Invitational Exhibition – City Of San Jose – City Council
Triton Museum- KTEH Channel 54 ‘On Air Art Auction’ Exhibition
(2nd Prize – mixed media – 1993)
KTEH Channel 54 On Air Art Auctions & Exhibitions, 1993-2006
de Saisset Museum – Santa Clara University (Student Exhibition)
San Jose Art League Gallery (Two Man Show with Delmar Kolb)

“the Full Moon Raku” Pescadero Creek, 1978

M.B.P.A.P.A. – “Our Home Town” exhibit, Pacific Grove Art Assoc. Gallery- 2009

Pacific Grove Art Association Founder’s Show – 2009

Featured Artist Show – Le Beau Soleil Gallery, Pacific Grove, Ca.

Awards:
KTEH Channel 54 On Air Art Auction Exhibition, 2nd Prize – Mixed Media.- 1993

Representation:

Le Beau Soleil Gallery – Pacific Grove, Ca. – lebeausoleilgallery.com

Gallery Saratoga – Saratoga, Ca. – gallerysaratoga.com

The Artist’s Alley Gallery- 863 Mission St., San Francisco- TheArtistsAlley.com