by Kunio Hagio
Samurai Koi with Paulette shhhh. 1995, 24″ x 36″ airbrush, oil and pencil on illustration board

About the Artist
Kunio Hagio was born Sansei in Chicago in 1947 to Allan and Toyoko Hagio. Oldest of 3 and raised in Skokie, Il., Kunio attended Niles East H.S. and graduated in the class of ‘65.

He began drawing at a young age and practiced with his father Allan in the living room on tray tables, side by side. His father Allan was a skilled and trained letterer, and technical illustrator. Kunio would learn drawing skills from these sessions. Kunio would also pick up the skill to work tirelessly on something by watching his mother Toyoko on the sewing machine.

After a short stint at some schools around Chicago, he began working as an illustrator doing furniture drawing for Sears catalog and ads. He then worked his way into small editorial jobs that led to larger publications, and was soon represented on the east and west coast to do movie posters and billboards. He made it big in the 80’s with movies such as Conan the Barbarian, Raging Bull, and Raiders of the Lost Ark, and clients like United Airlines and Time magazine.

He raised his 5 kids alongside his wife/manager Paulette in Chicago, and later in 1990, moved to Sedona, Arizona for drier climate. He began working with dry brush oil on canvas stretched over masonite, and settled into the Sedona arts community where he remained until close to his final days. He passed away in May of ‘22 while staying at his daughters home in Gilbert, AZ.

Over the course of a twenty-five year career, Kunio Hagio has received over 50 awards for his art from A.I.G.A., Artist Guild of Chicago, Art Directors Club/NY, Advertising Club/NY, Society of Illustrators, “Creativity” magazine, “Communication Arts” magazine, and “Vision” magazine in Japan. “Gulliver” Magazine (Italy) described his paintings as “an essential part of American culture.” His painting of the tattooed face of a carnival performer, entitled “Carny,” first appeared in “Playboy” magazine in 1976 and immediately garnered five prestigious awards.

More information and work of Kunio Hagio is available at www.kuniohagio.com