Amanda Dagg Contemporary Artwork.

Update

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Dagg) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:36:00 +0000

I'm spending more time here on my daily blog..please check it out :)

Work in progress - Sunflowers

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Dagg) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 08:27:00 +0000

Over the past week I've been painting 2 commission sunflower paintings like the painting below....

Sunflowers are really beautiful happy flowers. The flowers turn to the sun hence there name so in fields they can be seen all facing the same direction. With there dramatic size, not only in height but the flower head also, they are an impressive sight. So I've been inspired to paint another sunflower painting, but this time using the little pebbles I found at the beach to represent the seed. I'll be using gold on the sunflower heads to give them extra life. I'm happy with how well it is looking and excited to be finished the sunflower painting today. :)

What a day!

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Dagg) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 07:49:00 +0000

Well most of today was spent hunting last minute for school trousers for my eldest. I'd bought some for her in June, but when she tried them on yesterday they just didn't fit her. Trying to find a pair was no fun we just couldn't find her size or style. ..it was late afternoon when we got some. I really felt sorry for all the other mums and Dad's frantically shopping for last minute school supplies.

Not long after we got back my boy and youngest girl went to play in the bedroom. My 3yr old boy is at the age he wants to try everything and very body kinaesthetic. So while she played with her My Little Pony's he thought it would be a good idea to see what was under the floor boards. Oblivious to the now missing floor board, my daughter walked out of the room and her foot slipped down the gap. With a big crash part of the ceiling fell down. For the 4 of us downstairs our jaws dropped as we just rushed into the room to see the gaping whole in the ceiling and then a soft little voice said 'oops sorry'... no that wasn't my son.... he was running down the stairs excited to tell us he was a 'hero' for grabbed his sister to save her. And all the while I'm have a professional business call with Channel Advisor. As a family we always look at the funny side of life and after the initial shock we all stared laughing even the man on the phone!

Needless to say I was happy to have them tucked in bed sleeping so I could chill in the studio.

The Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Dagg) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 21:25:00 +0000

I finished the beach painting today :)

Work in progress - Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Dagg) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 22:09:00 +0000

About 6 yrs ago I painted a beach. I love the sea, the feel of soft sand under my toes and the smell of fresh salty air. I much prefer going to quite beaches rather than busy ones packed with people. I love peace and to take in all the scenery.

One of my favourite times recently visiting the coast was when I woke the kids up at 4am to listen to the dawn chorus of the birds. -Which I highly recommend- We ended up down the Gower, the tide out and not a single person about. To the kids delight there was a washed up ball on the sand so we watched the sun rise, listened to the birds and played. It was lovely to have all the space too just the 6 of us.

Anyway as I was saying I painted a beach and had hung it on my wall. My friend loved it and she begged me to sell it. Selfishly in love with my painting I declined. It was not long after that my friend who was in her 2o's was diagnosed with MS. It broke my heart to hear this, so I parted with my painting so that when she woke every morning she would see the beach, which she loved.

I've not painted a beach painting since. Its amazing how fast time goes by. So this summer when the sun has popped out I've gone to the beach to take photos and kindle inspiration. I'm hoping my beach painting will be finished in the next couple of days. Here is a progress photo and some beach photos from Llanelli. I also took materials from the beach to my studio and have added some off the sand and pebbles to the canvas :)

Allium finished painting

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Dagg) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:44:00 +0000

Allium 42x24"

This painting is now sold but if you would like a painting like Allium feel free to contact me.

Please click images for bigger photos

Work in progress - Allium

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Dagg) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:29:00 +0000

Today I'll be finishing two paintings of the pretty flower Allium.

Here are some photos of initial sketches.

I am wanting to create a fresh painting so the chosen colours are duck egg blue and silver.

Spirit

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Dagg) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 20:39:00 +0000

Sold

Teal Rise

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Dagg) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 20:25:00 +0000

Sold

Teal Rise available for sale on eBay or Website

My favourite quote .......

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.

- Pablo Picasso

Today's paintings

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Dagg) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 21:22:00 +0000

Today's poppy paintings....

Sold

Hope

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Dagg) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:36:00 +0000

Hope 20x20" 50x50cm

Poppy Life Cycle

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Dagg) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:26:00 +0000

Poppy Life Cycle. 44x24" 112x61cm

How it begun...

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Dagg) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 20:51:00 +0000

A friend fell in love with one of my paintings which I had on my wall. Within a few days her husband had bought it as a gift for her. That was six years ago. Not long after that I was ill and told I was on medication for the rest of my life. If I stopped the medication I would die. Reality really kicks in when you’re looking death in the eyes. I just knew I now had to chase my dream.... to paint paintings for people to enjoy.... At the beginning my paintings touched the darkness I was experiencing, but they twinkled rich with metallic paints that shined with life. Today my paintings are uplifting and full of positive energy. I set out to bring joy into the lives of people who purchase my artwork. Life can be hard, but there is beauty even when facing adversity. I put my heart into my paintings and treasure them. I've now have sold over 1000 paintings. I seem to be able to remember who bought what, and where in the world a certain painting hangs. I think because they mean so much to me I remember. I have clients coming back year after year. I’ve met some lovely people and had the pleasure of painting very special paintings. The passion, love and desire inside me to paint is so strong that I know it is something I will always be doing.

Honey Drop

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Dagg) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 20:46:00 +0000

Honey Drop 12x32" 30x81cm

Early Evening Poppies Play

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Dagg) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 20:42:00 +0000

Early Evening Poppies Play 40x40" 100x100cm

Special offer - 1 week only!

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Dagg) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 16:40:00 +0000

Special offer theses paintings with 25% off. *Offer ends 15thAugust

the colour green...

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Dagg) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 22:11:00 +0000

I've been requested to paint quite a number of green paintings lately. It is colour I've not used much before, but I've certainly been inspired by the requests and wallpaper samples I've been sent. Now I've been painting with green I just seem to notice the colour green everywhere I go.

Sold - Please email me to request a painting like this

This next painting titled 'Kiss' is a small poppy painting. I'm frequently painting huge paintings for business and home owners with large rooms. I almost forget that there is always those small walls that just need a painting to lighten them up. So I've for sale a small 20x24" (51x61cm) canvas for sale.

Sold - Please email me to request a painting like this

New paintings

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Dagg) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:32:00 +0000

Two new Paintings available for purchase

Fallen Heroes

Timeless

Sold

Great News! my website is up and running!

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Dagg) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 16:59:00 +0000

I've had many requests to have a website up and running with paintings available to buy. So now I'm pleased to announce the arrival of our new website www.dagg.co.uk

Most of the paintings will be painted to order and there is a great collection to choose from.

I've also included a selection of paintings that are here in the studio ready for immediate despatch.

I'm still adding new paintings daily so please check it often.

If you see a painting you love but it is too big or small just sent me an email as I'm sure I'll be able to help.

sales@dagg.co.uk

If you have a special painting request don't hesitate to contact me. I enjoy painting commissions. I recently had a super opportunity to paint a stunning lime green and plum floral! I'll tell you more about that later ;)

Oh yes I almost forgot to mention.......UK postage is free!!!!!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Dagg) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 16:51:00 +0000

Lunarpages Affiliate Program

Circles

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Dagg) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:57:00 +0000

Teal, Aqua and duck egg blue.

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Dagg) — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:57:00 +0000

I really love the freshness of blue. Here is a collection of recent teal, aqua and blue paintings I've created.

Above Thank you for these wonderful paintings, taking pride of place in our hall!

This golden textured poppy painting above was commissioned for The River House Backpackers Hostel

Above Summer Meadow commission. This is a very bright painting and a real eye catcher!
This painting was commissioned for a family in Ohio, USA. Each poppy representing a member of the family. Painted with an Aqua blue sky.

'Oh yes Amanda its so great!!! It really makes the room light up. I love how you put the aqua in the painting. It came in perfect condition I was definitely excited. It will be a family treasure for a long period of time.

Thanks again, The Arnolds'

These two photos above is a painting in situ.
I think they picked a beautiful place for there poppy painting
Thank you Giselle :)

How I create my paintings

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Dagg) — Mon, 25 May 2009 20:18:00 +0000

My favourite surface to paint on is deep edge box canvases. I find they give the painting strength and depth when hung. Each canvas is double primed.

They are placed on a table or for those huge commission paintings I spread the canvases on the floor of the studio. I tried an easel a few times, but experienced frustration setting it up. I had one big wooden bar that I always managed to forget to tighten and it used to spin down and clunk me on my head! Needless to say I moved on.. Another thing I do is making sure I am able to move freely around the whole canvas. There is nothing worse when painting and as I stretch my arm with extended paintbrush and it won't reach the top of the painting!

I like to make preliminary sketches on paper first. I will not touch the canvas with a pencil. If I need to get a basic ideal laid out on my canvas I will use a very wet brush and a dab of pale colour. I like to be able to change a painting as it is progressing and rather than stifling myself with the pencil marks on the canvas. I love the freedom to unleashing my enthusiasm without keeping within the lines....mmmm.....That must be the anarchist in me :)
To get my desired result I use a number of different texture materials from ground stones, stone dust, shells, beads gemstones, texturing gels, pastes and mediums. My earlier work I used cardboard, chick wire, slates from the mountain, pebbles and even bandages (like what they use in hospitals).

This is why I love the freedom of texture; your paintings are ever evolving and there is always something new to try.

So I will start with a coat of texture in my desired areas. And then I wait... and wait... about 48hrs of waiting. To overcome the long waiting I organise my studio, so I have another painting there ready to work on. Once it is dry I'll then add more texture repeating this process until I obtain my desired result.
Letting it dry and then adding more. On occasions the texture will protrude and inch out of the canvas! I use loads of sandpaper to get the desired result.

I like to apply the paint straight from the tubes to the canvas. So if I want pink I'll not make a pink mixture on a palette but I'll apply a dollop of white with a touch of red and I'll blend the colours on the canvas so they fuse perfectly together. Another thing I like to do is use a limited palette. This is when an artist paintings a painting with a small variety of colours.

My favourite tools are palette knives. As a child I had a friend of the family know as Uncle Wilfred. He was an artist and introduced me to oils and the palette Knife. Come to think of it I've still got an oil painted that I painted with him when I was 10.

I put a huge amount of passion and emotion into my painting, because I paint from my heart. I find it difficult to express in words just how truly magical it feels when painting. Like a trance you open a door to another world. I suppose you could call it a type of meditation.

My favourite paints are Liquitex. Their purely divulging paints. There are many paints on the market, but when buying paints the more expensive are without a doubt the best. Once you use a top quality professional paints you will not want to go back.

Once all the acrylic matt colours are applied and dried I get my golden box out which contains all my variety of metallic paint and gold leaf, metal powders, pearl essence, liquid metals and metallic glazes.
I like to think of it as my Egyptian treasure chest.

Once the painting is feeling complete. I'll stand it up against the wall and walk away from it. I'll busy myself with something else making sure I don't view the painting. I want it to slip out of my mind. After a few hours of avoidance I'll walk into the room take a good look at it and breathe the painting in. I like to imagine I have never seen the painting before. I'll view the artwork with fresh eyes. I'll make a note of any alterations where applicable. Once I'm happy it’s complete the painting is varnishing and signed.

Best Selling Art

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Dagg) — Sun, 03 May 2009 14:02:00 +0000

I'm delighted to have on offer a collection of paintings available from BestSellingArt.

A slideshow of abstract extreme textured paintings

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Dagg) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:01:00 +0000