When you're working with mixed media, do you juxtapose or do you layer? Do you do both? Let's explore.
I’ve been working with mixed media art regularly for about three years, nearly four, and it’s opened me up to a lot of techniques I would have otherwise not had the courage to explore. My work tended to be rigid, structured and followed specific patterns and guidelines. The idea of “making a mess” on purpose was simply out of the question.
It wasn’t until I discovered the art of layering that I really had an eye opener. Let’s define what layering is, exactly. In most cases, people refer to this technique as collage:
From Wikipedia.com: Collage (From the French: coller, to stick) is regarded as a work of visual arts made from an assemblage of different forms, thus creating a new whole. This technique made its first appearance in the early 20th century as a groundbreaking novelty, however with the passing of time it's become ubiquitous. For example, an artistic collage work may include newspaper clippings, ribbons, bits of colored or hand-made papers, photographs, etc., glued to a solid support or canvas.
I was exposed to some very talented artists who used this technique regularly and successfully:
Not only did these artists incorporate many different forms of media into their work in a pleasing fashion, they managed to do it without the work looking like a “mess.” Too many times in the past, I’ve seen artists do what’s called a “slap job” and call it art. I’m not one to judge because I’m sure people look at my art and feel the same. In some cases, though, you can tell when an effort is made and when one isn’t. That’s a different story, though.
My art journal has been a study of layering lately. I’ve been exploring what works best with what and finding the results to be sometimes obvious and sometimes surprising. Each day is a new adventure as I break out different supplies and work the pages. My goal is to try different mediums and techniques daily until I feel all the layers of creativity (that I’m able and capable of doing) have been experimented with.
