I am asked this question hundreds of times per year. Many people really have no idea what mixed media is. I am here to clear up any confusion & to clarify what I choose to incorporate into my artwork. By definition, in visual art mixed media refers to an artwork in the making of which more than one medium has been used. Mixed Media is also basically defined as using any materials other than paint.
My base medium for all of my paintings is Acrylic paint. I then “build” each painting incorporating a multitude of mixed media elements. My mixed media elements include textiles, handmade papers, glass beads, opaque flakes, threads, sand, crushed leaves, oil pastels, and graphite to name a few. I incorporate these components within all 6 layers of my paintings. 6 layers? Yes… 6 layers, and sometimes even more. Along with the mixed media, I also include about 8 different paint mediums into my works. My paint mediums include gel mediums, pouring mediums, modeling pastes, self- leveling gels and many more. Mmmmmmm….it is so scrumptious!
I am admittedly a tactile addict. Okay, I said it. I thrive on textures and the sense of materials that have a variety of compositions. Take me into a store, whether it is a clothing store, or an art supply store, I have to touch everything! Who doesn’t want to touch beautiful luxurious fabrics, or the gel mediums that go into a creation. This is why I incorporate mixed media of all varieties into my paintings. And, if you see my artwork, I invite you to touch it. It gives the art life, and gives the viewer a connection to my paintings.
Patrons often say to me “It looks like you have a lot of fun.” My response is ALWAYS, “I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t have fun.” I hope you enjoy my work as much as I have enjoyed creating it.
juliehavel 