Artist: Jack Ragland
"..it's the light and the color and just the whole ambiance of the thing that I get into..."

Jack Ragland is caught up in color, shape and light--and the results are his paintings that are vibrant and alive. His style is reminiscent of the 'old masters' and he covers a variety of subject matter. From California landscapes, to European scenes--from wildlife to still lifes, his paintings show a passion for each subject he chooses to paint.

Lisa Smith on Southwest Blend interviews Jack in his studio in Fallbrook. To hear his interview, just use the handy controls below. The interview is produced in streaming audio, so there should be little or no download time--on some computers, you may need to double click on the play icon to start.

       

Jack was born in El Monte and started his love affair with art by first drawing comics inspired by Red Rider. By five years old he was painting in oils, his 'real' painting being on of a barn. He soon graduated to painting horses and cowboys and knew that this is what he wanted to do for a living. Not knowing, at that time, anyone that made a living as an artist, Jack felt he needed something else as a career so he studied to be a teacher.

Jack studied under George Fredericks, who had studied at the Royal Academy in Munich. George, based in Palm Springs made a living by painting landscapes and portraits.

Jack went on to study in Europe, learning the techniques of etching, lithography and seragraphs. He has a love of travel and different cultures that comes through in many of his paintings.

Jack has exhibited his artwork in solo and group shows from New York to California, and has had his own one-man show in Vienna, Austria. His works are in private, corporate and public collections throughout the USA and Europe including the Los Angeles County Museum;  Phoenix Museum; Albertina Museum in Vienna, Austria; Kunstmuseum in Basel, Switzerland; the Bibliotheque National in Paris , France, and others. He paints in oils and acrylics.

Jack accepts commissions and also reproduces his paintings as giclee prints, appealing to a wide audience. He now resides in Fallbrook, California where he paints full time. Visit Jack's website to see more of his paintings, www.jackragland.com