Today we’d like to introduce you to Magda Plagge.
Hi Magda, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I was born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, México. Ever since I was a little, I was always creating things like paintings and sculptures with materials I found around the house. When I was in Middle school, I did a drawing of flowers in my art class and remember very well that my teacher told me how good the picture was. That made me feel I could do more and pushed me to look for a fine arts school to learn how to express myself through the arts. I studied three years of arts and humanities. This gave me a good foundation in art and drove my passion for it even more. I was able to participate in several exhibitions in Mexico during those years.
I also went to Bible college and studied theology for three years. While I was there, I would often walk down to a nearby river in my free time to get flat smooth rocks to paint. The love for painting was always in my heart and my mind.
When I was 24, I got married and moved to the USA. Learning English and adapting to a new culture was very difficult the first couple years. We lived in different states like Missouri, Arkansas, New York, and Texas. God blessed me with two wonderful daughters and my husband that supports me in my passion for painting. As my girls were born, I decided to dedicate myself primarily to raising them and focusing on our home. During that time, I continued creating crafts and did a little bit of painting as time allowed.
It wasn’t until the summer of 2018 when we moved to Frisco, Texas that I began to paint again as a professional visual artist and completed a certification in Abstract Art and also in Modern Art from the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).
I’m a member of the Visual Arts Guild of Frisco (VAGF) and Visual Arts Society of Texas (VAST). My art is represented by Artistic Transfer Gallery in Dallas World Trade Center.
I have had the privilege of exhibiting my art all through the North Dallas area, Mexico, and Italy, and I will continue looking for opportunities to share my art with others through different events.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
By no means has it been a smooth road. There have been many challenges from things like how to get my art in front of others to see, to having a space of my own to create my paintings. For example, I’m currently working in our dining room and of course that presents its own challenges. I would love to have my own space some day so I don’t have to worry about splashing paint all over the floor and white walls (LOL). Things are never easy, but I’m very grateful for everything God has allowed me to do and what I’ve learned through the challenges.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a contemporary and expressionist artist, I enjoy expressing the beauty of life in all my works. Painting is an art that I especially enjoy doing. In each brushstroke and in each movement of my spatula there is a feeling and a passion. Whether I paint landscapes, music, or abstracts, there is a motivation deep in my heart that moves my hand. I am working on a series of abstract pieces which contain ladders throughout them to represent the ups and downs that we go through in life; tests we must all face and keep our head held high no matter what happens. Abstract art is like that. It is the unexpected and what each person can interpret differently.
I want to carry a positive message in my works so that the people who see it can be drawn in to reflect on the many different aspects while interpreting it, and then feel good after their time of reflection.
The ups and downs of life make us stronger and give us shared experiences that highlight our journey in life and help us mature. This is my message in my series of abstract works.
I work with acrylic paint and use many layers. The process of each work takes several days and I enjoy using different spatulas and recycled materials around the house that create very interesting and dynamic textures. I can say that I identify myself a lot with cool colors, although sometimes I have spontaneous moments with warm colors. I like to paint a variety of themes. I’m very spontaneous and creative in that way.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I am proud to be able to see my works in the homes of my collectors and to be able to carry positive messages that give meaning to their lives. I enjoy seeing how people identify with the story and inspiration of my work.
I also feel very blessed to have been able to participate in several of the Frisco City Hall exhibitions. This year, the city of Frisco, Texas selected my painting called “Lines of Life” to be part of their permanent fine art collection.
I believe everyone has talents and qualities that make each of us unique. One of the beautiful things in life is when we can share our talents and speak into others’ lives to help them develop and become all they were designed to be. I teach private art classes for children and really enjoy being able to teach art to them and instill positive values in the next generation. I love seeing them develop their own skills and expressing themselves in different ways.
Pricing:
- Fresh Start 24″x24″ $375
- Essence 36″x26″ $1,550
- The Power of Blue 36″x48″ $2,500
- Eventide 24″x30″ $650
- Un solo ser 16″x40″ (3 pieces) $2,550
Contact Info:
- Email: magdaplagge@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magdaplagge/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/magdaplaggeart/
Image Credits:
Ruth Medellin
