There has been a lot of hype around Mixed Media lately and....
I am starting to see why. I am one of those artists that loves to play with lots of different mediums. Rather than being stuck to any one medium, I would rather let the subject and place decide which medium is best used and what mood I am in. It is all part of a wonderful creative process for me where I can truly play and enjoy the artistic process.
I had never really considered mixing any of my mediums together. Pastel for my plein-air outdoor work where I don't have to mix colours and cart around loads of materials. Graphite for when I am on planes and want to be able to sit and draw with a minimum of fuss. Oil paints for hyper realism and getting a photo like finish to my paintings and so on.
But last month I had the pleasure of taking part in a mixed media workshop. The table was filled with everything! Paints, pastels and a huge range of collage materials and print making pieces. I couldn't believe just how fun it all was. Whatever ideas I thought I was heading for seemed to swap and change with the moment. An accidental mark or an inspiring pattern on a paper would send the artwork off into another direction allowing the art to unfold in front of me, rather than being controlled.
I felt like a child at play and the results were magnificent. I highly recommend that all artists should try this process and see where it takes them. Not only is there an enormous feeling of freedom, but you might just surprise yourself with what you create.