Mixed Media is one of those terms that inspire the classic "What?".
Yep. It is all that and a bag o'chips. It is a way of expression that doesn't get itself tangled up too much in technique, media, materials and academia. It is all about inspired composition. Mixed media is liberating in the way it works on an intuitive band of energy.
All those workshops, the "stuff" you collected, things that are in your mind and are demanding to be processed are the best materials for this project. Consider picking out a few things and spending some quality time moving them here, there, burn one, paint one blue... whatever.
I've had the most amazing time with the mixed media class I've been teaching with the Art Alliance in Greensboro. Best Students EVER. Fearless, imaginative, conversational and ready to go- my kind of girls!!! We've worked on books (one of my favorite structures because of flexibility, inclusion of technique and bookbinding and assemblage doesn't need big tools!), paper techniques that are part of the books...marbling, paste paper, folding, tearing, cutting and handmade paper. We made papier mache masks and collage. Now we are entering mosaic.
I love mosaic. it is a full-frontal texture quilt. All cultures embrace the technique.. African memory jugs, stone mosaics of ancient civilizations, complex ceramic stairways, never forget the assemblages of Mr. I, found object mosaic art... it goes on and on. Basically, one hoards a collection of items and decides how to create the composition.
WARNING: Hoarding stuff is frowned upon. The downside of mosaic is you can sell folks on this project!!! it is a chance to unload their stuff! And all of the bits and pieces have stories, a raison d'etre and your inspiration. Grab your boxes of goodies, some good glue.. maybe some grout and get going! I'll be posting some images soon...
Yep. It is all that and a bag o'chips. It is a way of expression that doesn't get itself tangled up too much in technique, media, materials and academia. It is all about inspired composition. Mixed media is liberating in the way it works on an intuitive band of energy.
All those workshops, the "stuff" you collected, things that are in your mind and are demanding to be processed are the best materials for this project. Consider picking out a few things and spending some quality time moving them here, there, burn one, paint one blue... whatever.I've had the most amazing time with the mixed media class I've been teaching with the Art Alliance in Greensboro. Best Students EVER. Fearless, imaginative, conversational and ready to go- my kind of girls!!! We've worked on books (one of my favorite structures because of flexibility, inclusion of technique and bookbinding and assemblage doesn't need big tools!), paper techniques that are part of the books...marbling, paste paper, folding, tearing, cutting and handmade paper. We made papier mache masks and collage. Now we are entering mosaic.
I love mosaic. it is a full-frontal texture quilt. All cultures embrace the technique.. African memory jugs, stone mosaics of ancient civilizations, complex ceramic stairways, never forget the assemblages of Mr. I, found object mosaic art... it goes on and on. Basically, one hoards a collection of items and decides how to create the composition.
WARNING: Hoarding stuff is frowned upon. The downside of mosaic is you can sell folks on this project!!! it is a chance to unload their stuff! And all of the bits and pieces have stories, a raison d'etre and your inspiration. Grab your boxes of goodies, some good glue.. maybe some grout and get going! I'll be posting some images soon...
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