Collaborative "Digging Deeper" Re-post

Seth's "Buried Treasure" collaborative at The Altered Page was such a huge hit, he is asking us to dig deeper.   The following article was written my MMCA Marketplace member, Christine Goldbeck and is being re-posted as part of the "Digging Deeper" collaborative.

Making meaning of mixed media 

Originally posted January 2009

By Christine Goldbeck, MFA-IA

Owner of Arts on Union

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.

By Christine Goldbeck, MFA-IA

Owner of Arts on Union

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.

Comments

[Elaine Brady Smith]

Thanks for reposting Christine's wonderful article on mixed media. I always like reading her words. This idea of "digging deeper" is sparking a small flame within me. Having been in a bit of a slump lately...these words may be just what I needed to hear!!! I intend to dig deeper with the coming weeks...in what I have done, and in what I hope to do. Thanks for this post!!!

[Carol@Swallowcliffs]

The idea of digging deeper is sparking a small flame in so many mixed media and other artists and others in general. Good article!