SISTERS MIXED MEDIA

When it comes to mixed media and canvas art, I'm a huge fan of Christy Tomlinson's style.  Earlier this year or sometime last year, it was her She Art product line that made me want to pull out and use my assortment of mixed media products that had been collecting dust for a little while.  My sister and nephew spent a couple of nights with us this week after our family celebration on Christmas Day, and Renee (my sister) wanted to try creating a canvas project.  The good thing about mixed media art is that you don't have to have a specific direction from the start.  As far as I'm concerned, it's good to just start creating and see what evolves.  Sometimes it's good; other times, it's good to blank the canvas and start over.  Renee's canvas is the prettiest one . . . the one on the right.  Didn't she do a fabulous job of selecting her base/background papers and colors and building her layers?  I was so proud of how her canvas turned out!! 

Renee's work of art

My canvas (close-up below) was one of those that screamed to be blanked and started over.  For some reason, my base coloring was darker than I wanted.  Having covered the canvas with printed-text tissue paper may have been the reason why I struggled with the colors because I normally do as Renee did and cover a canvas with assorted patterned paper.  I gave up too soon on achieving a lighter look and added a dimensional sun.  Although I had planned to highlight the "she was a daughter of God" text on the faceless girl's dress, I decided to choose a different text that seemed to work well with what appeared to be the sun finally appearing after an extended time of darkness and despair.  I thought that it did, indeed, look as though she was heading for brighter days, leaving her fears behind.

The best part of mine and Renee's mixed media projects was the process of creating . . . and having her sit beside me as we worked together, sharing products and ideas, and deciding for ourselves what to do next and when to call it complete.  We both began with the She was a Daughter image that was stamped, colored, cut out, and ready to go . . . and everything else simply evolved.  I look forward to the next opportunity to sit down at the table with Renee by my side and a blank canvas in front of each of us.