Frank Hagel was born and raised in the Flathead Valley outside of Glacier National Park. After four years in the Navy serving in Korea, he attended Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. He worked as an illustrator at several
advertising studios in Detroit, MI for 11 years, winning the Silver Art Director Medals of Excellence for his work.

Upon returning to Montana in 1972, he was commissioned by the National Park Service of the Department of Interior to sculpt 42 medallions that were cast in bronze and silver commemorating the National Parks of the Centennial of
Yellowstone, which was the first National Park.

Since then, Frank has painted the western scene, becoming a student of western history and western life. His work depicts both historically significant events and the daily life of Native Americans, early explorers, trappers, cowboys, wildlife and
all things Western. For the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial, he completed a corporate commission of a dozen paintings, three of which appeared in The Smithsonian Magazine’s coverage of the expedition. His paintings, known for
their authenticity, are found in private and corporate collections around the world. He has participated in every CM Russell Auction since 1971 and won ‘Best of Show’ at the 1982 Kalispell Art Show & Auction, and at the 2007 Montana Land
Reliance show.

Frank’s studio and home lie on the banks of northwest Montana’s Flathead River and often succumbs to pursuing trout on his favorite mountain stream, poking a load or two at the game birds, or coaxing a golf ball around a course near Glacier
National Park. He and his wife also have a home on the Rocky Mountain Front in Augusta, MT.