Artwork Archive Featured Artist: Dage

Meet Dage. After working as a muralist for nearly ten years, Dage uncovered her signature style almost by accident. Her intentional dripping technique frees her from any form of control or predictability. She lets the paint land as it may, projecting a vibrant energy with every stroke. It creates incredible movement and allows the work to vibrate with emotion. Dage creates such life by staying in the moment, free from pressure.

Dage gave us a few brief insights into fighting perfectionism, focusing on the present, and how to prepare for an exhibition.

Want to See More of Dage’s Work? Visit her Public Profile Page on Artwork Archive.

1. HOW DID YOU UNCOVER YOUR DISTINCTIVE INTENTIONAL DRIPPING TECHNIQUE?

Actually it was almost by accident. I was a mural painter when I came across my dripping technique. I was fascinated by the lines created by the paint when I was mixing my colors. And I figured if I can make a drawing with the lines of a pencil, maybe I could do a painting out of these paint lines. The first time I tried it, I knew what I wanted to achieve. It took me a year of research, but I finally nailed it. I paint with a stick and let the paint fall freely. A brush or a spatula would give me too much control and be predictable.

2. HOW DO YOU DECIDE IF A SUBJECT HAS THE EMOTION AND ENERGY YOU WISH TO CAPTURE IN YOUR ART AND WHY DID YOU TRANSITION YOUR FOCUS FROM PLANTS MORE TO FACES AND NUDES?

I know that I want to paint a subject when I feel it. When I’m touched by a picture, by a face, or by a look. This is pretty hard to explain. It’s so intuitive. I just get a feeling and know it. It comes to me naturally. I guess it’s the desire to express more emotion. And where else than in a figure can you get such emotion. My figures are made up of lines and become more abstract the closer the viewer gets. They become a vibration of colors and movements.

4. IS THERE ANYTHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOUR STUDIO SPACE OR CREATIVE PROCESS?

I don’t have anything specific, but I have to be in a good mood to paint. I have to have my mind set on it. Since I drip the paint, I have to be focused. I can't have something else on my mind. So, I get into some kind of a meditative state. I’m very focused and very into the present moment when I paint. I usually have some music on, but honestly, I couldn't tell you what’s playing. It is more like a background sound.

5. YOUR STYLE IS VERY FREEING, WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO ARTISTS DEALING WITH CREATIVE BLOCK AND PERFECTIONISM?

The best advice I can give to other artists is to challenge themselves and step outside of their comfort zone. I also recommend painting everyday - working regular hours - but with no goal in mind. Don’t have an intention of creating something great. Just have fun. With that pressure off, the magic usually happens.

6. YOU HAVE BEEN IN SEVERAL SOLO ART EXHIBITIONS AND MAJOR ART SHOWS, HOW DO YOU PREPARE AND WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE TO OFFER OTHER ARTISTS?

Do your homework before you go to a show and check out the other artists on the exhibitor list. Make sure you check the price of their artwork. If your art is much more expensive, you don’t fit in at that exhibition. If your art is a lot cheaper, you don’t fit in there either. You have to be somewhere in the middle.