El Dorado County resident, multi-talented artist and Style 2010 Readers’ Choice Favorite Local Artist Award winner Gerald Hogan knows how he feels about art.

In his self-proclaimed free-form poetry, he expresses his deepest passions on the subject: “Art is the intersection where desires and dreams meet and are given voice by endowments of grace and creativity.” Hogan, a lovely, passionate and very energetic gentleman, has an innate ability to see a scene and bring it to life, whether on a canvas in watercolor, oil, pastels; sculpture; or photography. He has been creating art his entire life. “I have a drive in me I can’t control,” Hogan says.

As a child, he shared a bedroom with his grandfather, Henry Hogan, a retired commercial artist. Henry was his grandson’s inspiration to take up art. Gerald received his first oil paint set in the 3rd grade and won his first art competition the next year. Due to undiagnosed dyslexia, he was struggling in school. That first award really inspired Gerald. “I was doing poorly academically,” Hogan explains, “and it really helped my self-esteem to know I could do something well.”

After a stint in the Marines, serving our country in Vietnam, Hogan came home, went to school and mastered his learning disability – receiving degrees in fine arts and technical theater arts. He vowed never to be a slave to his art work and waited until he left his real job to start a serious art career. After 22 years as Marshall Hospital’s Plant Operations Engineer and Safety Officer, he retired and started his art business. “That’s why my first painting didn’t go on sale,” Hogan says, “until I was 66-years-old.” His work is featured at the wonderful Gold Country Artists’ Gallery on Main Street in Placerville.

In his home studio, Hogan produces canvases of all sizes. However, he has another project that is very near to his heart. As the producer, writer, host, underwriter and major cheerleader of The Art of It All, an independent television production and broadcast on Sierra Community Access Television Channel 2, he helps raise the visibility of art in the area. “I want to showcase the economic, cultural and educational achievements of visual and performing arts,” Hogan explains.

Under Hogan’s direction is Sara Waugh, a budding cinematographer who films and edits the show. This Art Institute of California – Sacramento student is working on her bachelor’s degree in digital film and video production. She loves working with Hogan and hopes to continue the partnership after she graduates. “Jerry is such a powerhouse,” Waugh explains. “He has a lot of ideas and knowledge and he always follows through with action.” She met Hogan at their Placerville art gallery where she shows and sells her charcoal drawings. “He is so outgoing,” Waugh says.

Hogan believes that El Dorado County has one of the largest art “families” in the state. They are so very lucky to have such a passionate guy promoting their craft.

For more information, visit geraldhogan.com.