Meet the Artist

A boy, a hockey stick, and a sketch pad. Carmen Haakstad grew up on a farm in Northern Alberta and from his father came his love for hockey; from his mother acceptance and appreciation of her son’s passion for art and his need to express himself artistically. His passions grew into the melding of two very diverse worlds, the world of a hockey player with that of an artist.

Carmen received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Minnesota Duluth, and played varsity hockey for the Bulldogs from 1974-78, graduating with distinction in Art in 1979. His background in hockey, business, combined with his love for art, family, and the land is expressed through diverse images in his fine artwork, available in the Carmen’s Images Virtual Gallery.

As an artist, Carmen wishes to make a positive impact in the world by embracing the goodness in humanity and by spreading love, compassion, and kindness to others. As his painting “Live Life in thy Balance” demonstrates, his philosophy is that we should live life in balance and harmony so we, as humans, will achieve our goals. Carmen believes we are spiritual beings having a human experience, not the other way around.

Through Carmen’s various “Series” he tries to express, in his paintings, a feeling that moves him to capture a memory in time, or an experience that he feels compelled to share. Each series is telling Carmen’s personal story so when you purchase one of his works you will be purchasing a piece of Carmen’s story.

Carmen’s Images is much more than a virtual gallery or a place to show Carmen’s artwork, it is a place where he can communicate and stay connected to people outside of the solitude of his studio.