B         By Dottie Ashley

Sunday,         ...part of  Dottie Ashley's column on  December 26, 2010, Charleston, SC , The Post and Courier

Large Works' extended

“Poppies, Cypress and Lavender” by Karen Hewitt Hagan (oil, 48x36 inches).
Photo by Bob Wilson

While the economy has not been kind to many gallery owners, Karen Hagan is not complaining.  The painter who 
owns Hagan Fine Art Gallery & Studio at 27 1/2 State St., had planned to take down the 30 landscape paintings in her "Charleston's Large Works" show Dec. 31. The response has been so great, it will run through Jan. 15.

"I couldn't be more pleased, and it is wonderful to work with guest artists whom I have met at workshops all over the world," says Hagan, as she shows off her first gallery, acquired in August after having worked a year at the Wells Gallery and eight years at the Ella Richardson Gallery. To help pay the rent, Sandra Ericksen of Sandra Ericksen Design shares a corner in the same space.

The guest artists are plein air painters, including Hagan, whose large Italian landscape is immediately attention-grabbing. It's not surprising since she has taught painting near Sienna, Italy, for five summers.

Also on view is the work of Tennessean Brett Weaver, who travels about, living out of his car and painting whatever catches his eye.

Guest artist Dee Beard Dean has created "King Street," which exudes a Hopper-esque quality, although softer. Hagan says her big sellers are marsh scenes, such as one by Gloria Mani.

Becoming an artist almost by accident, Hagan sold advertising for radio. Then one day she walked past John Carroll Doyle's gallery, was struck by his talent, and asked if he would teach her to paint.

"He kindly taught me for free, and said, 'Paint outside. It's there you will find your truth,' " recalls Hagan. "And he was right."  Hagan's gallery is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

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