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Ian started drawing regularly in the second grade, inspired by Peanuts cartoons and chronic tonsillitis, which led to many days home from school. He took as many art classes as possible in middle and high school, and was initially drawn to the figure by an interest in comic book art. These interests led him to the Illustration program at Syracuse University's College of the Visual and Performing Arts.

During his sophomore year at Syracuse, Ian studied with Jerome Witkin, the renowned figurative painter. He soon found himself putting more time, effort, and passion into his one painting class than his other classes combined. At the end of his sophomore year he transferred to the College of William and Mary in Virginia. There he focused on the figure exclusively, from small oil studies to near-life-sized dramas. He earned his BA from William and Mary in 1998 with a double concentration in Fine Art and Public Policy.

After maintaining a studio and exhibiting frequently in and around Boston, Massachusetts, Ian moved to the Bay Area in 2003. Initially painting in Berkeley, Ian has been with San Francisco's Art Explosion studios since November, 2005. He is the former artist-in-residence of Boston's Conservation Law Foundation, where his work is still on display.

Ian is the great-grandson of nationally recognized muralist Vincent Maragliotti, whose work is in the Pennsylvania state house among other public and private buildings. Coincidentally, Vincent was an early employer of Alex Katz, an artist Ian's work was compared to by one of his college professors. Ian didn't quite see the resemblance, but was flattered all the same. 

Contact:

Ian Hart · 510.847.1981 · ianmhart@hotmail.com