As an artist, I often find myself with experimental pieces that don’t quite hit the mark. Instead of discarding these “ugly” papers, I often try to repurpose them into mixed media paintings or art journals. Join me as I throw these ugly papers up on my painting wall and see what happens. You can follow along with the process in this short time lapse video:
After years of working on a desk, I feel so lucky to have a painting wall in my studio, but it can be difficult to really “see” the work against such a bold surface. This is what it looked like at the end of my painting session:
Once all four pieces were dry, I pulled them off the wall:
It’s amazing what a difference it makes seeing them away from all of that visual clutter, isn’t it?. It’s one of the reasons that I often hold a mat up to my work as I work on it. It helps to clarify what’s happening in the artwork.
So let’s take a closer look at each piece, along with some detail photos and some conversation about the three C’s of mixed media paintings: clarity, composition, and craftsmanship.
- Clarity: Does my artwork communicate what I intended? If not, what elements could be adjusted to strengthen my message?
- Composition: Is my composition strong and engaging? Does the arrangement of elements guide the viewer’s eye effectively? Are there areas of contrast, balance, and movement that create visual interest?
- Craftsmanship: Am I satisfied with my execution? Does my use of materials and mark-making align with my artistic vision? What areas could be refined or pushed further to enhance the overall impact?
Here’s the first one:
Overall, an interesting composition. I think that the black circular line is doing a lot of the heavy lifting here — in terms of design. There’s a lot of really nice texture, which you can really see in these detail photos:
And I think the “white space” is definitely helping to create some viewing space in an otherwise very crowded composition. Overall, I’m quite pleased. What do you think?
As for this next one, I can’t decide whether it goes this way:
Or this way:
Both have a sense of movement (which is something I really like in artwork). I’m leaning slightly towards the first version only because I tend to like the visual weight to be on the bottom of a work of art. I also really like this color combo — bright blue with brown/mustardy yellow. I want to store that combo away to use again.
This one feels like it might need another little push. I think it’s the closest to representational in this grouping of abstract mixed media paintings. It’s a garden – or a view of a garden with the stones mostly buried underground.
I come back over and over again to a library of personal marks that I love and one of them will always be “tick marks” or groupings of little lines, which you can see in these detail photos:
For me, those tick marks always represent the passing of time.
In my head, I’ve been calling this detail image “The Onion.” Can you see it?
This one is a little out of character for me and the style of mixed media paintings that I tend to do. It has a lot of white space and the white space is fairly severe. But it does really feel like that moment when the ocean water comes in to wipe away the sand, doesn’t it?
I really love all the delicious details on this one. The combination of drawing and painting will always be interesting to me.
I’m really pleased with how these pieces turned out. I have always struggled with abstract work, but lately I feel like I’m hitting a groove. I think it’s a combination of studying notan and looking at a lot more abstract work. I don’t think I’ll ever stop drawing figures. After all, it’s easier to cheat good design when you have a face to rely on as a focal point.
Let me know which of these is your favorite and why!
These are so fun to look at. I think I see the Energizer bunny up close and personal in the pink piece.
These are so fun to look at. I think I see the Energizer bunny up close and personal in the pink piece.
These are so fun to look at. I think I see the Energizer bunny up close and personal in the pink piece.
These are so fun to look at. I think I see the Energizer bunny up close and personal in the pink piece.
These are so fun to look at. I think I see the Energizer bunny up close and personal in the pink piece.
These are so fun to look at. I think I see the Energizer bunny up close and personal in the pink piece.
These are so fun to look at. I think I see the Energizer bunny up close and personal in the pink piece.
You are a terrific painter and delightful communicator
You are a terrific painter and delightful communicator
You are a terrific painter and delightful communicator
You are a terrific painter and delightful communicator
You are a terrific painter and delightful communicator
You are a terrific painter and delightful communicator
You are a terrific painter and delightful communicator
WOw…I love the end result. Unfortunately, the Youtube would not work.So missed seeing the process. Nevertheless, good to know how a painting we do not like can be revamped into something different and beautiful while seeing some of the old layers peeking through. Thanks for continuing to inspire!
WOw…I love the end result. Unfortunately, the Youtube would not work.So missed seeing the process. Nevertheless, good to know how a painting we do not like can be revamped into something different and beautiful while seeing some of the old layers peeking through. Thanks for continuing to inspire!
WOw…I love the end result. Unfortunately, the Youtube would not work.So missed seeing the process. Nevertheless, good to know how a painting we do not like can be revamped into something different and beautiful while seeing some of the old layers peeking through. Thanks for continuing to inspire!
WOw…I love the end result. Unfortunately, the Youtube would not work.So missed seeing the process. Nevertheless, good to know how a painting we do not like can be revamped into something different and beautiful while seeing some of the old layers peeking through. Thanks for continuing to inspire!
WOw…I love the end result. Unfortunately, the Youtube would not work.So missed seeing the process. Nevertheless, good to know how a painting we do not like can be revamped into something different and beautiful while seeing some of the old layers peeking through. Thanks for continuing to inspire!
WOw…I love the end result. Unfortunately, the Youtube would not work.So missed seeing the process. Nevertheless, good to know how a painting we do not like can be revamped into something different and beautiful while seeing some of the old layers peeking through. Thanks for continuing to inspire!
WOw…I love the end result. Unfortunately, the Youtube would not work.So missed seeing the process. Nevertheless, good to know how a painting we do not like can be revamped into something different and beautiful while seeing some of the old layers peeking through. Thanks for continuing to inspire!
I. LOVE. THESE. I think Big Stone is my favorite. Like A Fireball a close second…
I. LOVE. THESE. I think Big Stone is my favorite. Like A Fireball a close second…
I. LOVE. THESE. I think Big Stone is my favorite. Like A Fireball a close second…
I. LOVE. THESE. I think Big Stone is my favorite. Like A Fireball a close second…
I. LOVE. THESE. I think Big Stone is my favorite. Like A Fireball a close second…
I. LOVE. THESE. I think Big Stone is my favorite. Like A Fireball a close second…
I. LOVE. THESE. I think Big Stone is my favorite. Like A Fireball a close second…
Usually I love boldly colored art. But my fave is the pink piece. Pretty much always can’t wait to see what u do next! Thanks, Julie ,for it all.
Usually I love boldly colored art. But my fave is the pink piece. Pretty much always can’t wait to see what u do next! Thanks, Julie ,for it all.
Usually I love boldly colored art. But my fave is the pink piece. Pretty much always can’t wait to see what u do next! Thanks, Julie ,for it all.
Usually I love boldly colored art. But my fave is the pink piece. Pretty much always can’t wait to see what u do next! Thanks, Julie ,for it all.
Usually I love boldly colored art. But my fave is the pink piece. Pretty much always can’t wait to see what u do next! Thanks, Julie ,for it all.
Usually I love boldly colored art. But my fave is the pink piece. Pretty much always can’t wait to see what u do next! Thanks, Julie ,for it all.
Usually I love boldly colored art. But my fave is the pink piece. Pretty much always can’t wait to see what u do next! Thanks, Julie ,for it all.