Mixed media artists are the scientists of the art world. They solve all sorts of creative and technical problems while making an art object and they experiment with new materials and combinations of techniques and media.
Generally, an artwork defined as “mixed media” signals that the artist has used more than one medium to make the object. The media could be a combination of oil, acrylic and watercolor – the traditional painting mediums – or pastels, paints and ink. Artists are also using the computer to design mixed-media work that conveys visual texture and layers. Often, mixed media art includes three-dimensional objects that the artist considers important to conveying a story or meaning of the work.
Mixed media paintings range from collages to elaborate, layered canvases that feature stitchery, lace and just about any other item an artist wants to work into a piece. Elements such as old keys, buttons, beads, hatpins, cancelled postage, dried flowers and mirrors are examples of items an artist permanently affixes to the substrate. This type of art is not only for the wall though. For example, artists and artisans use multiple mediums to make books, furniture, clothing, jewelry, sculpture and pottery.
If you like to make crafts, to scrapbook, to sew or to try your hands at new things, you will find that creating mixed-media art is fun and liberating. Although most artists use the elements and principles of art and design in their mixed media work, imagination and intuition are the real guides. So, making this type of art is energizing because experimentation with “the rules” is, in a sense, one of the unwritten rules.
Well said! Mixed media can also be called "play", at least for me it is. Constantly pushing the boundaries, breaking the rules, seeing what works, what doesn't, makes it all a great learning experience. And the best part is when you try something new, maybe a technique, maybe using something in a different way than what it was intended for, and then sitting back & thinking yeah, that works!
Posted by: Sue Pieper | January 2009 at 10:40 AM
Sue thanks for sharing your thoughts on Mixed Media and adding to Christine's great article.
Posted by: Debbie Overton | January 2009 at 11:39 AM
Mixed media is my outlet! Sometimes dabbling with all sorts of different things just to have fun. Enjoyed your article!
Posted by: Nancy Maxwell James | January 2009 at 01:55 PM
Hi Nancy,
We are so glad you stopped by for a visit and enjoyed Christine's article. Hope to see you again soon.
Posted by: Debbie Overton | January 2009 at 06:52 PM
Well said Christine!!! Working with
mixed media to me is a challenge to make the unusual elements work within the "rules" and then just for spite find one to break.
Posted by: Elaine Brady Smith | January 2009 at 09:38 PM
Elaine I love your thinking...Rules...just for spite find one to break.
Posted by: Debbie Overton | January 2009 at 10:28 PM
Great post Deb! As a mixed media artist...sometimes I have to be honest that my mind is SO FULL of ideas (because we push the limits) that it is hard to "focus". At times I have been so over stimulated that I don't even know where to start and stop! And I find that when I just "let go" and not really care where the piece is going and let it "lead me" instead of me "leading it"...is when some of my best work appears!
To me that is the purest love & joy of being a mixed media artist! Make sense? :)
xo...deb
Posted by: deb | January 2009 at 01:01 PM