For the Love of Texture: 7 Mixed Media Tips

When I was a little girl, I loved all things soft and natural and feathery. Even though I’ve grown into woman skin, the little girl inside still delights in touching different textures. This is one BIG reason why I seek to explore and experiment with mixed media art. Mixed media gives me the opportunity to touch and play with various mediums. So for all of you touchy-feely artistic people out there, here are 7 tips to help make your mixed media experience more enjoyable.

Tip #1: Include what you love.

The idea of combining so many of my favorites into a soul expression intrigues me: Here are a few of my delights: floral designing, painting, sculpturing, collaging, sewing, and accessorizing. I also love photography and often use my photos as the foundation for a mixed media.

So as you prepare for a mixed media piece, take a mental inventory of the various arts and crafts you enjoy. Set out a sampling of each kind of supply, and let your imagination go wild.

Tip #2 Take a treasure hunt

I go treasure hunting for mixed media supplies. Sometimes this takes me to discount stores and garage sales or antique and craft stores. Yet I often find possible mixed media supplies while I’m out walking. For instance, I recently came across some heart-shaped leaves I’m mulling over for a Valentine’s project.

Tip #3: Banish the Bossy B

Making mixed media reminds me of a child at play, and when a child plays, you don’t slap her hands and scold, “That’s not good enough. Do it again until you get it right!”

Take a mental moment to remind yourself to play, not to strive for perfection. This isn’t a contest or test to see whether you can advance to mixed media stage II. You need the freedom to experiment. The fun is in the frivolousness of it all. If you get too serious about a project, it kills your adventurous spirit, which is so necessary for this art form to flourish.

Tip #4: Try different techniques

You can find all kinds of free video tutorials online. Just do an Internet search or look on Pinterest. Lots of mixed media artists willingly share their techniques. I’ve also bought books like Kelly Rae Robert’s book, Taking Flight. I like to try a technique until I become comfortable with the method. Then I mentally store the technique in my repertoire of skills to retrieve at a later time. You’d be surprised how certain techniques will pop into your thoughts when you’re making a new mixed media piece. I used Kelly’s collage techniques for this mixed media piece.

Tip #5: Develop your body of work

This is where I’m at right now. I’ve explored the use of different techniques and methods, mediums and textures, and now I’m developing my body of work. True to my eclectic nature, the projects are diverse, from mixed media masks to collage, art pieces to even garden pots.

In time, your body of work will grow into your unique expressions.

Tip #6: Let events push you forward

A baby or wedding shower, wedding or Christmas gathering, a birthday party or social gatherings provide opportunities to try new projects. Give mixed media away as gifts or keep them as reminders of something meaningful to you.

Tip #7 Have fun

Most importantly, have fun! Life is too short not to delight yourself in some artistic play, and mixed media provides ample opportunities to do so. For the love of texture, try a new project today! Here is a link to my mixed media portfolio. You can also link your mixed media post below.

 

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