Abstract and Mixed Media Art
Featured Work
I am enjoying the creative process with two distinct styles right now - abstract mixed media with organic shapes (created mainly with a palette knife) and abstract “doodle trees” (created with a pen or paintbrush). I know the prevailing wisdom for artists is to define their own singular style and stick with it, but for now I feel the need to move back and forth between these different practices to see where they take me.
Mixed media art is exciting to me because I’m always thinking about what I can incorporate into paintings to add layers of interest. Recently, I’ve been using burlap, rug hooking pieces, puzzles and scrapbook paper in my original abstract paintings. I love the additional texture, and also the challenge of making the individual items part of the whole.
The doodle trees are a fun and whimsical way for me to play with color combinations, and they celebrate my passion for genealogy and family trees. Each tree in the Twists & Turns collection is created with a single continuous line, representing the twists and turns of life and never knowing what’s around the next corner.
I hope you enjoy seeing where inspiration takes me!
This piece started with the colorful striped paper and warmer colors, but in subsequent layers, the blues and greens started asserting themselves. A random curve laid down with the palette knife ended up looking surprisingly like one of my kids’ favorite swimming holes, a specific bend in the river near my dad’s house.
Acrylic and collaged paper on 18in x 24in cradled birch panel with 7/8” painted edges. Varnished and ready to hang.
Abstract
I have always been a doodler and I’ve spent a lot of time doing calligraphy and hand-lettering. I am drawn to the tree motif because of my interest in genealogy and family trees. I created this tree design and wrote the text freehand. The Mark Twain quote says, “To get the full value of joy, you must have somebody to divide it with”. The top of the tree consists of one single continuous line, signifying the twists and turns of life and how you’re never quite sure what’s around the next corner. I have the black and white line drawing printed onto high-quality 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper and then I hand-color each one with watercolor pencils. I use the same colors each time, but each piece is an original and will differ slightly from the photo.
High-quality watercolor paper mounted to 18” x 24” cradled birch panel. Sides finished with black acrylic paint. Coated with spray varnish and ready to hang.
Twists & Turns
This piece reminds me of summer, sunshine and the 4th of July. In my small hometown in Vermont, the 4th of July celebration is a highlight of the summer. When I was a kid, my neighborhood always created a magical float for us to ride in the parade, pulled by neighbor Merton’s tractor. As an adult, my favorite part of the town celebration is the ice cream social. The town band plays in the gazebo on the green in front of my old elementary school and everyone enjoys free ice cream sundaes topped with strawberries from Isham’s farm. The kids dance and run around the gazebo while the adults sit in lawn chairs and chat. Small town bliss!
Acrylic, burlap and wool on 18in x 24in cradled birch panel with 7/8” painted edges. Wired and ready to hang.