Archive of works Featured artist: Dage

Meeting days. After working as a muralist for nearly a decade, she almost accidentally discovered her signature style. Her deliberate dripping technique frees her from any form of control or predictability. She lets the paint land in the way it can, radiating vibrant energy with every stroke. This creates incredible movement and allows the work to vibrate with emotion. Dage creates this kind of life by staying in the moment free from pressure.

Daguet gave us some quick tips on how to deal with perfectionism, focus on the present and how to prepare for the exhibition.

Want to see more of Dage's work? Visit her at the Artwork Archive.

1. HOW DID YOU DISCOVER YOUR DISTINCTIVE DRIPPING TECHNIQUE?

In fact, it happened almost by accident. I was a painter when I stumbled upon my drip painting technique. I was fascinated by the lines created by the paint as I mixed the colors. And I thought that if I can make a drawing with pencil lines, maybe I can draw a picture with 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 spatula would give me too much control and would be predictable.

2. HOW DO YOU DECIDE IF THERE IS A SUBJECT OF EMOTION AND ENERGY YOU WANT TO USE IN YOUR ART AND WHY DID YOU Shift YOUR FOCUS FROM PLANTS MORE TO FACES AND NUDE?

I know I want to draw an object when I feel it. When I am touched by a picture, a face or a look. It's pretty hard to explain. It's so intuitive. I just feel and know it. It comes naturally to me. I think it's a desire to express more emotions. And where else, if not in a figure, you can get such emotions. My figures are made up of lines and become more abstract as they get closer to the viewer. They become a vibration of colors and movements.

4. IS SOMETHING UNIQUE IN YOUR STUDIO OR CREATIVE PROCESS?

I don't have anything specific, but I need to be in a good mood to draw. I have to tune in to it. Since I'm dripping paint, I have to be focused. I can't think of anything else. So I enter some kind of meditative state. When I paint, I am very focused and completely immersed in the present moment. I usually turn on the music, but to be honest, I can't tell what's playing. It's more like background sound.

5. YOUR STYLE IS VERY FREE, WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO ARTISTS THAT DO CREATIVE BLOCK AND PERFECTIONISM?

The best advice I can give other artists is to challenge yourself and get out of your comfort zone. I also recommend painting every day - working on a regular schedule - but without any purpose. Don't try to create something great. Just have fun. When this pressure is turned off, magic usually happens.

6. YOU HAVE BEEN TO SEVERAL PERSONAL AND MAJOR ART EXHIBITIONS, HOW ARE YOU PREPARING AND WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE TO OTHER ARTISTS?

Do your homework before you go to the exhibition and check out the other artists on the list of exhibitors. Make sure you check the price of their work. If your art is much more expensive, you don't fit into this exhibition. If your art is much cheaper, you don't fit in there either. You must be somewhere in between.

Want to build the art business you want and get more art career advice? Subscribe for free.