Len Jagoda’s career in art was derailed early when the draft prevented him from accepting a scholarship to the Cleveland Institute of Art. When he finally completed his military duty, he chose a college curriculum in business instead of art. After a thirty year career in business he returned to art; but, during that time he was constantly involved with horses and dogs.
He bred and trained horses, rode hunter jumpers and while he even had a couple on the track; he declares that delivering foals is the most thrilling equine event. His passion and compassion for dogs, continued as well. Over time, he and his wife have rescued and adopted 34 dogs, four cats, a goat, two horses and a llama. Len often accuses St. Francis of Assisi of having a duty station on the edge of their property where he directs all lost, sick, injured or homeless animals to them.
Len returned to art in 2007. Absent any training in art he self taught with discipline. For his first year, he chose to concentrate on form and values by limiting his art to sculpture and drawing to partially compensate for his lack of formal art training. This limitation forced a dedication to basics and he did not add color in the medium of pastels until he completed this self-imposed apprenticeship. His familiarity with animals comes through in his art. His portraits are more than a fantastic likeness; he has the ability to capture expressions that reflect the subject’s character and personality. His comprehension of anatomy shows in his sculptures as well as his hunting and racing art and suggests how he transitioned his return to art.
His discipline was well rewarded in competitions which he began entering in 2008. In total his awards for sculptures and pastels at the national, regional and state levels number sixteen including three Best of Shows; three First Place Awards, two Second Places; one Third Place; three Honorable Mentions; three Merit Awards and the Molly & Claude Scarbrough Award.
He has had works accepted into two international exhibits. His formal portrait of Big Brown was among the 75 pieces accepted to The 2010 Animals in Art Exhibition at LSU from 477 submitted entries. In 2009 the American Academy of Equine Art accepted his earlier portrait of Big Brown and his portrait of Distorted Humor to their International Exhibit held at the International Museum of the Horse where only 80 pieces were accepted from over 600 entries. His artwork has been published on the covers of two national magazines and was featured in the 2010 Bullmastiff Annual. Len has been selected to create the official art for the 2011 Aiken Steeplechase.
