Walter Hagedorn: The Chicken Guy Art

In May 2022, I started posting profiles of artists, crafters and writers who depicted poultry in their work. Some of those folks were inspired by the imagery of birds, while others had a flock of their own and wanted to share their love of chickens.

I’m neither artistic or particularly crafty, but I can appreciate those who make things with their hands from ideas in their heads.

This is the 37th post in the series ‘When Art Meets Chickens’.

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Who are you and what do you do?

Hello friends!  My name is Walter Hagedorn. I am a locally well known chicken artist residing in beautiful southern Vermont. For the past three years I have been exclusively painting chickens in various whimsical scenarios and themes. Around these parts, they call me ‘The Chicken Guy’. 

One of the things that I like about Vermont is that there are more trees and fewer people. The general tempo here has a relaxed feel. The vibration in this part of the world feels high. This enables me to have the bandwidth to explore more playful content in my artistic expression.

What’s your history with creating art? 

For the past 30 years, I have been a creator of things related to the act of play. Specifically, designing and developing adapted toys and learning aids for children with disabilities. As I began to retire from that path, I found myself exploring the arts using oil paints passed down to me from my dad and his father as well. Having absolutely no formal art training has enabled me to approach painting without the influence and boundaries set by others. I believe that when we are in the act of creation, we are doing the work of the Divine, arranging atoms into new possibilities. It has only been in the last ten years that I have explored drawing and painting. I paint exclusively in oils.

How has your practice changed over time?

I have learned that “less is more” when it comes to painting. What I mean by this is that when I fuss and overwork a piece the magic gets lost and things become muddy and dull. My best work seems to happen when I feel careless, carefree and unattached with the outcome.

What work is most fulfilling?

As a creator and an artist I have done a lot of things, however, painting chickens has touched a special cord within my soul. I can paint anything I want, I can paint landscapes, I can paint portraits, I can paint still lifes. For some reason painting anything other than a chicken feels boring.

I have a few different styles that I like to paint chickens. Sometimes, I will paint portraits, each one having its own characteristics that seem to reflect the individual personality of the bird. I also have an entire collection of chickens in precarious scenarios, called my ‘Apocalyptic Chicken’ series. Another collection of my chicken paintings is based on classic, internationally known paintings with a chicken twist, I call this my ‘Clucking Classics’ series.

What memorable responses have you had to your work?

It seems that people from all walks of life really appreciate my chicken paintings. From young to old and rich to the poor, people seem to have a connection with the work that I do. There seems to be a connection with human beings and chickens. We have been coexisting for thousands of years taking care of each other and feeding each other. When people purchase my art they seem to always have some sort of a story or connection. I very much enjoy hearing these stories. Placing my art into others’ homes and lives makes my heart sing.

What motivates you to create? 

It is my personal belief that as human beings, when we create, we are doing the divine work of the universe. 

Do you have chickens?

Cluck yeah! I will never be without a little flock of buddies. 

I have been keeping chickens for the past 30+ years. They are very entertaining and excellent composters that turn our kitchen scraps into nutritious eggs and provide fertilizer for our gardens. Chickens are a constant source of entertainment and are easy to keep as pets. They really do not require much. The hardest part of keeping chickens is keeping them safe from predators. It’s tough when you are the one that actually does taste like chicken.

How do chickens inspire your work? 

I am pretty obsessed! I make chicken jokes, I paint chickens on canvas, I have painted chickens on my clothing and I even have come up with my own chicken card game called ‘Oh Cluck’ that I want to publish and make available for others to play.

If you really give a cluck, please visit my online gallery

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Thanks to Walter Hagedorn for sharing his art and story, used with permission. 

“Celebrating the intersection of creativity and chickens“