Dagny McHugh
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ABOUT
I’m Dagny. I have been a resident of Anchorage for 45 years and a hair stylist for 35 years. I enjoy art, painting, sea kayaking, yoga, meditation and spending time with my family. My husband and I are raising our teenage grandson after the tragic loss of his parents and brother. I am a person in long term recovery. I have experienced addiction, grief, trauma and the loss of my eldest son Alexander from suicide. Last year I trained and became a Peer Support Professional and I facilitate Peer Groups for Ionia and the Alaska Therapeutic Court Alumni. |
ARTIST STATEMENT
This piece is an oil on canvas. I started it in 2018 and was working on it when my son “Alexander” died from suicide. Art has always been a part of my life. However after the loss of my son I didn’t have the desire to paint and for a year I didn’t. I finished this piece and others in 2020 after taking back my art space. The process of moving color around the canvas and creating is cathartic and a form of meditation for me. Painting has helped me move through my grief. I cried, laughed, remembered, reflected and allowed myself to feel my feelings while painting. I learned through grief groups that it is normal and natural to feel whatever way I feel about my loss. My intention for this piece is to invite the viewer to imagine the thoughts and emotions going through his big brain with no voice. Talk saves lives. Stop the stigma. |
