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Prep work?  What do you Mean?

We always talk about inspiration, subject matter,  paints, their color,  pigmentation.  All these things are important.  But as a mixed media artist I know how much other stuff is needed just to start painting.

Do you save everything?  Are you obsessed with all kinds of things to put into your artwork?  How about fabric, have you tried that yet?    It seems that isn’t the thing I think about when I’m getting ready to create.  In reality, if you are a mixed media artist,  you collect everything.   Everything!  

My husband is very tolerant of all the mess I create.  Many times my studio is so disorganized, I move into the kitchen or dinning room.   In my defense, my studio is very small!  So small I find myself moving slowly, and very quietly into the best spots in our home.  Still not any complaining from my husband.   Doesn’t he sound like a great guy?  He is!

I have been sitting here tearing out words that look good to me in an attempt to construct a large piece of paper I can copy, tear, and insert into my mixed media work.   I don’t like to do it, and it takes time to tear and paste.  I did it, I completed and entire page….

Sketching has been on my agenda lately also.  I don’t sketch often and I need to keep my skills polished!

The classes I take are an attempt to learn new things.  A way to learn how to see differently, or look at things through a different lens.   As long as I’m learning, I’m growing.

Do you have a sketch book you can grab and a pencil or pen.   Try sitting for a few minutes and just put down on paper what you see.  Pick one thing, don’t try to draw everything, you build up to that!

Also, perfection is for cameras!!!

Don’t try to be perfect, that’s for cameras.  Everything is perfect in it own being.  The more creative the more interesting, and you don’t have to beat yourselves up!  Don’t expect to do a great job at first, it takes time, and practice.