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Adventures in Art

For all of my 30+ year career, I used the analytical side of my brain (and used it a LOT I might add) – so much so that I didn’t even know there was another side to my brain. Digi Scrap Designing has helped me explore art a little more and very recently I’ve become enchanted by the mixed media art form.

Mixed media means exactly that – you use a variety of tools such as various kinds of paints, pencils, paper, ephemera, crayons, inks, etc. I suppose that’s what appeals to me so much about this art form. There are no rules. You can’t do it wrong, you just do. After so many years of setting the rules and following rules (well, ok maybe not always following the rules) it is refreshing and exciting to try something at which you cannot make a mistake.

It’s one thing to create art (with all that’s involved with that self doubt) and it’s totally another thing to show it to the world. So I’ve decided to force myself out of my comfort zone and just go for it. For better or worse, for richer for poorer (definitely poorer – good thing there’s no Hobby Lobby out here in the boonies! Amazon Prime is my best friend!).

As you’ll see, this particular art form (for me at least) is very folk-artish and, well, primitive I guess, in style. Which really works for me because I couldn’t draw a stick figure if my life depended on it. Which by the way is something I’m working to change!

First up, something I made for a good friend who recently had one of those “landmark” birthdays.

Click to Enlarge

This is a 12 x 6 canvas that has lots of layers and textural background (which you’ll see is one of the trademarks of this kind of art). It’s done by randomly attaching various paper bits to the canvas and adding paint, letting everything dry and then adding more – in this case it was some stamps and stencil work. Once the background was dry, I sketched the bird and flowers. When I was brave enough, I used water color pencils to add color and when that dried, used a black pen to doodle over and outline the shapes to add some dimension, I printed out and cut up the words of the quote, attached them, and then doodled around them as well. I used a brown/orange-y wash (paint mixed with water – see how much I’m learning) around the edges of the canvas. When everything was dry I added a coat of Collage Pauge to the entire canvas to keep it all in place (forever, judging by the amount of adhesive I used).

My friend said she really liked it (after all, what would a friend say??) and has it displayed in her office. Deep sigh of relief and ready to try another one! Stay tuned!

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14 Comments

Su Hall on March 5, 2020 at 6:31 am

Every piece is a masterpiece! Your style is wonderful!
There’s something so special about sharing your art with another.
I wish you every success!
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- Vicki Robinson on March 5, 2020 at 12:34 pm
  
  Thank you my friend!
  Reply
Sue on March 4, 2020 at 10:13 pm

Vicki, I think you will LUV the world of mixed media – it’s so completely DIMENSIONAL. Don’t get me wrong, I LUV what I’m learning in the digi-world but no matter how much shadowing or how great a layout looks, when printed and you’re holding it, there’s no dimension to feel. I’m what I call a tactile person, not in relation to other people, just to things. I need to feel it – fabric, seashells, beads, textured paper, etc. I too would be proud to receive this card. The way you tucked the “friends for life” along the flower stem is awesome! Your imagination is really “blooming” LOL.
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- Vicki Robinson on March 5, 2020 at 12:37 pm
  
  I DO love it, Sue! This is an old post that somehow got republished. Digi design is what led me to mixed media, and I’m totally in love with it. Life has kinda gotten in the way, but I hope to get back to arting more frequently. What kind of arting do you do?
  Reply
Caroline on March 4, 2020 at 4:20 pm

WOW! Lucky friend! what a lovely gift
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- Vicki Robinson on March 5, 2020 at 12:38 pm
  
  Thank you so much Caroline!
  Reply
Grace on March 4, 2020 at 5:54 am

I worked in the same field as you and have found scrapbooking to be a wonderful outlet for that “other” side of my brain. I was surprised that I could be so creative. Our art won’t appeal to everyone, but that’s true of everything. If I received that card from you, I’d display it, too – well done!
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- Vicki Robinson on March 4, 2020 at 7:58 am
  
  You’re exactly right – this kind of creativity was something I never gave a thought to. Now I don’t think I could manage without it. It’s helped me more than I ever would have imagined. Thank for your kind words.
  Reply
Margaret Lovejoy on March 3, 2020 at 11:19 pm

This is fabulous, I for one would be so happy to receive this, I’m sure your friend truly is too.
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- Vicki Robinson on March 4, 2020 at 7:54 am
  
  Thank you – I’m sure she enjoyed it, as hard as it was for me to step out of my comfort zone. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
  Reply
colleen on March 3, 2020 at 8:33 pm

from my perspective your doing great as I am such a newbe to all forms of art
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- Vicki Robinson on March 4, 2020 at 7:52 am
  
  Thank you so much!!
  Reply
manic724 on April 17, 2012 at 2:51 pm

I think you don’t give yourself enough credit if I were your friend and you presented me with this gift I would love it too .I love this type of thing it is great!!!
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- Vicki on April 18, 2012 at 3:32 pm
  
  Thank you so very much! I’m having a great time and will have more to post soon! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
  Reply

Adventures in Art

14 Comments

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