Terry Hager

Through drawing and painting, I explore the world around me in a representational manner—translating my visual experiences into carefully composed works that reflect a specific moment in time and space. Light plays a central role in my process, guided by disciplined technique and balanced design. My goal is to create a visual harmony that becomes its own immersive reality. My recent landscapes continue this journey, capturing the essence of my surroundings through thoughtful observation and expressive interpretation.

 

Terry Hager is a representational painter whose deep connection to the land is woven through his personal history and artistic journey. Born in North Dakota, he spent his formative years exploring the prairies and striking rock formations of the Badlands. His family's roots stretch back to Russia, where generations farmed the steep terrain before settling in North Dakota to cultivate a similar ecosystem—a legacy that shaped Terry’s bond with nature’s rhythm.

From a young age, Terry was encouraged by teachers but often reprimanded for doodling during lessons. He found an early calling in drawing and painting. After serving in Europe with the military and witnessing masterpieces firsthand, he returned home inspired and enrolled at North Dakota State University, where his passion for painting flourished under the mentorship of Wayne Tollefson. Wayne’s boundless energy and profound understanding of artistic craft helped solidify Terry’s vision and approach to art. With Wayne’s encouragement, Terry pursued graduate studies and earned an MFA in Painting from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 1989. There, he was guided by renowned Artist Keith Jacobshagen who continued to contribute to his growth in technique and expression.

 Firmly grounded in tradition, Terry draws inspiration from Dutch and Flemish masters, the Hudson River School, and its modern-day counterparts. His work emphasizes the core principles of draftsmanship, composition, design, and color theory. He strives to create uplifting, immersive visual experiences that reflect both the landscape and the emotional connection he feels toward it.

Based in Nebraska City, Nebraska with his wife Denice, Terry has taught at North Dakota State University, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the Burkholder Project and offers private lessons from his studio. His work has been recognized in national and international juried competitions, exhibited widely across the U.S. and abroad, and is held in both private and corporate collections.