John Hadley
Biography
When I was a youngster going to school in Switzerland I took art classes. In the spring, I crewed on a four man rowing team. When I came back to Los Angeles, I earned a degree in Architecture and have practiced ever since. When I turned 70, my wife gave me an 18 foot scull and, at 75, my children gave me painting lessons. During my lifetime, I have enjoyed the outdoors at the beach or the mountains. The whims of nature inspire me, and their elements gave direction to my architectural designs.
Five years ago, I became a full time resident of Camano and began rowing and painting again. Every day I awaken to the clear air on Camano Island, the vibrancy of colors, and the sounds of nature. When I row, I follow the clouds, talk to the seals, think about being alive, and listen. I take my phone with me to record what I am sensing. It is truly exciting. With architecture, I had rulers, T-squares, pencils, erasers, and client suggestions that had definite boundaries. With painting, I only have the constraints of my canvas and my own mind.
Brush strokes, colors and compositions give me freedom of expression and enable me to put feelings into my art. I often think for several days about what I wish to express on canvas. I practiced architecture in the same manner, visualizing in my mind what I wanted to achieve before putting anything on paper. I’m able to get my brain, my hands, and my heart all working at the same time. I get so immersed that I forget about time. Often I paint myself into a place where I get stuck, Other times I go too far and don’t stop when I should. Reset becomes a short term problem that takes time to resolve. I operate with the theory that if I don’t make some mistakes, I am not learning anything.
I’m amazed how my childhood learning makes aging so wonderfully rewarding.
John Hadley
2022
​
​
Born February 4, 1939, Los Angeles, California
went to school in Switzerland 1948-1950 and 1952-1954
finished High School in Los Angeles, 1956
Took an extra year at Lawrenceville School in New Jersey, 1957
Dartmouth College: 1957-1961, BA
Sorbonne University in Paris 1962
University of Southern California, School of Architecture 1962-1966,BArch
United States Marine Corps Reserve: 1962-1966
Langdon Wilson, architects, Los Angeles: 1966-1975
designing office buildings and hospitals
1976: joined the American Institute of Architects (A.I.A.)
member emeritus now
Hadley Architects: 1975-present
Hadley/McHugh 1977-1992
joint venture with McHugh Properties, San Francisco, CA
formed limited partnerships to acquire and restore properties
Hadley Construction 1992-2006
formed to build architectural projects, mainly residential, some retail and office
Became a WA resident in 2010, now reside here full time
Service work
Hathaway Children’s Village, Pacoima, CA, board member
Alcohol Information Council, Los Angeles, board member
Everett Recovery Cafe, Everett, WA, advisory council
Dartmouth College, fund raising
CAA, Board Member 2020-2023
started skiing in 1948 and still doing it, along with hiking, swimming, rowing, tennis
traveled extensively throughout Europe
speak french
started painting in Switzerland, stopped in college, picked it up again in 2016
married (1965), divorced, remarried (2003)
3 children: born 1966, 1967, 1969
