Mixed media experiment, 6x8" handmade art, Alcohol inks, daily painting

This is what an oil painter does, when she is in a slump!

6x8"

For reasons that are too boring to talk about, I have found myself in an oil painting slump.

When I came to Florida, for three months this winter, I purposely left my oil painting supplies at home.  I brought pastels, watercolors, alcohol inks, etc.  My plan was to force myself to paint with media that was unfamiliar and  awaken my creative juices.  When I was back in the swing of things, I would once again turn to my oils.

Soooo, I created this little piece, for a challenge.  The challenge was to use metallic colored pencils in a composition.  The pencils are not saturated colors and the metallic aspect of them is not strong, so I decided to do a mixed media piece.  

This is a combination of the pencils, alcohol inks, and a black sharpie pen.  The hash marks are from the metallic pencils.  The sharpie, should have been a wider tip, but I used what I had.  

I found it to be a frustrating and fascinating project.  Successful?  Maybe not.  But it got me back in the art mode, and I plan to work from here.  I already caught myself thinking "I wish I had my oils here", so perhaps my little plot it working.  In any case, I am happy I spent a few hours experimenting.

Carol Schiff

www.CarolASchiff.com

www.CarolSchiffStudio.etsy.com

Original Mixed Media, "Rusted Lace" 10x10"

This piece was a problem!  The problem was not in creating it, but in photographing it.  I have done a small  series of mixed media pieces that feature rusted elements along with an iridescent acrylic paint.  Loved the results and was getting really excited.  Then I tried to photograph it..............and tried....and tried!

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I tried for three months!

I finally took it to a professional photographer.....he failed too!  Ha!  He explained to me that the problem is the background paint.  All those little iridescent points pick up the light and cause it to look uneven and messy.  :(

I still like the series....and have a few more to show you, but I may have to throw out my bottle of iridescent paint.  You will just have to take my word for it...it's better in real life!

Mixed Media Assemblage, 6x8" "Rusted Gear"

If you follow this blog, you know of my interest in abstract mixed media.  Today I am posting another of my experiments.

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I like the effects of this piece.  The 6x8" panel is painted in an iridescent paint with almost a sand paper like texture.  It makes an interesting piece, but almost impossible to photograph correctly.  So I apologize for the light reflections here.

The small panel has lots of texture along with some rust.  I think it looks good either framed or unframed.  Truely, one of a kind!

I guess, it doesn't qualify as a painting, but these techniques are very creative and exciting.  I like to think that process helps my painting techniques.

Arrivederci!


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PALM FOREST, 8x8 Mixed Media Collage SOLD

In my humble opinion, there are two types of artists.  There are the ones that choose a media, find a style, paint a small variety of subject matter, and get very, very expert in their genre.  The other type is all over the board, changing media, changing subject matter, experimenting, experimenting, experimenting....that would be me.

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 I try to behave like a grown up, but I just can't seem to pull it off!  My mind is buzzing....oils, landscapes, still life, abstract, collage, mixed media.  How can I possibly get "good" at anything when I am doing everything?

Then I read an article about a sweet little old lady in our town.  She was well into her 80's but didn't look it at all.  An association that honors senior's requests asked what is the one thing she would like to do the most.  Her reply......she wanted to be a Las Vegas showgirl!  They couldn't pull that off, but they did send her on a crazy trip to Vegas.

Months later, they had a request from the Tattoo reality show, for a senior who would like to be on the show.  Guess who they recommended?  So this little lady, was flown to NYC, given celebrity status, and filmed getting a tatoo that covers half her back.  In case you think that was her first tat....no way, she had 3 others and her husband had a few too.  Most importantly, they are having the time of their life...and I think that is keeping them young!  This lady remarked "Why do I have to disappear, just because I am over 80?"
Why indeed!

So, this morning, I am giving myself permission to paint or assemble anything I want.  Life is short....enjoy the journey! (Still don't have a tat though)

Bon voyage!

Mixed Media Abstract, "Aged Copper" 8x6" acrylic

I have been playing with mixed media since returning from my Carol Nelson workshop last May.

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It's a whole new creative outlet for me and I am really enjoying the journey.  The fun part is finding ordinary household items and using them in new ways.  I do a lot of recycling with my materials too.

You know how I love texture!  This piece does not require a frame either.  Hope you like it.

If you have any interest in this area, I highly recommend Carol's workshop.

Abstract Seascape, Daily Painting, Abstract Mxed Media "Sea Rhythm" 6x8" SOLD

The sea is so fascinating to me.  I love the thought of all the life under the surface of the sea....movement as the waves are pulled to the shore, tiny sea creatures burrowing into the sand..........

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Jelly fish that look like man-made objects, balloons, or aliens...........

So many interesting and exciting things going on that we are totally unaware of.  All we see is the beautiful surface of the sea.

This piece is inspired by that thought.  The paint is an example of pouring technique, along with texture and metallic elements.  Although the metallic has photographed in a warm color, it is actually silver.  Much experimenting going on in my studio these days. Feel free to pin it!

Carol Schiff
www.CarolSchiffStudio.etsy.com
www.CarolASchiff.com

Abstract Art, "SOAR", 24x36" Original Mixed Media SOLD

I have been busy with commissions since early December and finally found time to do another abstract.

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My painting group, Pieces of 8 is planning a group exhibition this summer at the local community college and we have all been working hard, getting our pieces ready.  The venue is fabulous and many entertainment giants have performed there, from Willie Nelson to Jerry Seinfeld to Mikhail Baryshnikov. The exhibition will be in the lobby, a huge room  with 30 ft ceilings.

I usually don't paint this large (24x36") because of difficulty storing and shipping but this had to be an exception.  I have a few more pieces to do for this exhibition and will post them as they are created.  I  don't know if they all have to be abstract as the other artists will be showing many different media.  I would love to hear your opinion......should I stick to abstract??

Abstract Mixed Media, 10x10 Original,SOLD, Acid Green and Aqua

Are you up for another abstract mixed media?

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Does this make you crazy?  It's like therapy for me.  I can only paint so many commissions, before I either start ripping out my hair.............or paint an abstract.  This one has quite a bit of under painting showing through.  Can you find it?

Hope you had a great holiday season.

Abstract,Mixed Media Oil and Acrylic, 10x10" "Layers II"

I have been feeling really adventurist lately and have been experimenting with some mixed media works.  The key word here is "experimenting" which means I have put in lots of hours and not so much in the "results" catagory.

I used an acrylic pouring medium on my support and found a nice harmony of colors. When it had dried, I started working over it with my oil paints

 

I tried to let areas of the underpainting show through.

I always enjoy working on something new and I am sure I will be trying this technique again in the future.

Daily Mixed Media Abstract Painting, "Tiny Bubbles", 10x8"

Time for an abstract!

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I had so much fun working on this one.  I included all my favorite colors, worked hard on a center of interest, did a little stamping and scratching through for movement.  But now, I cannot decide if it is a vertical composition............

or horizontal.  So far, I have not signed it.  Which format do you prefer?

I am honored to say that one of my blogger friends, Marla Laubisch, has chosen to feature me in an interview on her blog today!  How exciting is that?  Marla and I have been communicating through comments for some time.  Marla  is a landscape painter living in North Carolina. She usually paints in oils, both in the studio and plein air. Her favorite subjects involve the intersection of urban and rural life and I might add that she is a talented artist.  Be sure to check out her monochromatic truck as well as her water towers with sunset.  She wrote a very interesting interview which you can read here.

Daily Abstract Painting, "Fire and Ice" 8x9"

This little piece is a mixed media abstract painted on a wood panel.

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It started out with molding paste, and acrylics.  Soon I switched to oils and a palette knife.

As you can see here, I included a bit of screening.  There is also some silver foil, which is not very visible in these images, but gives off a nice reflection in the evening.

There is also plenty of texture!

Daily Painting | Abstract Painting | Small Oil Painting | Wishful Thinking by Carol Schiff | 14x11" SOLD

Well, it has happened again.........I had the urge to try my hand at abstract again.

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I was determined to do a mixed media  abstract, get out my many Golden mediums, and just have a fun day playing.  Kind of like kindergarten.  Why did I think that?

Don't I know that mixed media abstract is one of the most stressful things I can try?  Why don't I remember that my mind goes blank, that I'm not one of those people that can stand in front of a blank canvas and pick up a brush without a plan?

Why do I always think, this time it will be different?

Well it wasn't.  I worked at least 4, maybe 5 hours with my Golden mediums, getting the texture just right, carefully choosing the acrylic colors, blah, blah, blah.  It was a mess.

The next day, I sanded down as much as I could,  turned to my beloved oils, and ended up with this result.  Something I can live with.  Something that might give me a tad more confidence the next time I decide to do an abstract.  Something that I really kind of ........ like.  NEVER GIVE UP!!



www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com
www.CarolSchiffStudio.etsy.com

Daily Mixed Media, 5x7" Untitled

I love daily painting, but occasionally I get the urge to try something a little different.

My friend, Donna Vines and I try to get together and experiment once a week.  Sometimes we are successful and sometimes, not so much.  Today we tried foil embossed over foam core and then painted with acrylic paints and inks.

NFS

I really enjoyed this one and cannot wait to try this technique again.

Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping bye!

Daily Abstract Mixed Media Painting, " No. 205" , 12x12

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When I post a painting, I feel I need to say something about it.  Today, my mind is blank.

I know I had fun with it.  I think it is interesting and has action.

And, I like the soft feeling it evokes.  That's all I have today.

Thanks for viewing my work.

Daily Abstract Painting, "Feeling My Way", 12x12"

Moving into a new area of work is always both exciting and frustrating.  When I sit down to try an abstract, I feel like I am jumping off a cliff.

On this piece I used acrylics, oils and ink.  I also included some cheesecloth for texture.

I am finding that although abstract looks very simple, and free, it requires much planning.

Have a great weekend and thank you for viewing.


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