A Sense of Place KEN DAGGETT
Ken Daggett is a passionate and accomplished artist, whose success can be attributed to his persistence and work ethic, as well as his drive to constantly welcome new challenges. As he puts it, “Art is a lifelong challenge, and I’m living my dream.”
Daggett’s artistic journey began when his grandmother introduced him to painting when he was just five years old. Throughout his formative years, he continued to develop his skills and took art courses, but ultimately he honed his techniques and knowledge through inquiry, observation, and trial and error. As an adult, he taught himself to master the watercolor skills that were necessary for his job as a freelance architectural illustrator. Despite the success he achieved as an illustrator, Daggett’s ultimate dream was to paint full-time and travel to national parks. He made a conscious decision to pursue fine art and worked tirelessly to save money and practice painting. He had his defining moment in 2001 when he visited Taos, New Mexico. With his work already on view in one gallery there, he decided to make the move to New Mexico to transform his career and creative life.
Daggett is inspired by the rich, varied, and sometimes harsh New Mexico landscape, which he captures en plein air. He works predominantly within a 50-mile radius of his home and studio, seeking out scenes that hit him visually. He explains, “I’ll pull over and say, ‘Wow, I have to paint that.’” He works fast and completes each piece on location, battling wind, cold, and other weather conditions. “The challenge is trying to capture the scene as it’s happening,” he says. He relishes this test, as it allows him to convey his own action-oriented experiences to viewers.
“I never gave up and put all my effort into it,” he says of learning to paint en plein air, which he considers the most challenging thing he has ever done. Daggett’s creative process is multi-faceted, incorporating discovery, spontaneity, and exploration at every turn. He constantly studies various painting techniques and styles, both historical and contemporary, and is influenced by artists like Edgar Payne and Alvaro Castagnet. As he explains, “I love the challenge—to be out there and see the whole day changing before your eyes and figuring out how to capture it. Nothing beats it.”
Daggett’s passion and dedication to his craft are evident in his vibrant and authentic paintings, which will be on display at Meyer Gallery for his solo show on May 12, 2023.
Shadows on the Mountains oil 24” x 20”
Taos Gorge with Shadows oil 24” x 20”
