Sunday 17 January 2010

Mixed Media - Family

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*Mixed media, in visual art, refers to an artwork in the making of which more than one medium has been employed.
There is an important distinction between "mixed-media" artworks and "multimedia art". Mixed media tends to refer to a work of visual art that combines various traditionally distinct visual art media. For example, a work on canvas that combines paint, ink, and collage could properly be called a "mixed media" work - but not a work of "multimedia art." The term multimedia art implies a broader scope than mixed media, combining visual art with non-visual elements (such as recorded sound, for example) or with elements of the other arts (such as literature, drama, dance, motion graphics, music, or interactivity).
When creating a painted or photographed work using mixed media it is important to choose the layers carefully and allow enough drying time between the layers to ensure the final work will have integrity. If many different media are used it is equally important to choose a sturdy foundation upon which the different layers are imposed.
A phrase sometimes used in relationship to mixed media is, "Fat over lean." In other words: "don't start with oil paints. Plan to make them the final layer."
Many effects can be achieved by using mixed media. Found objects can be used in conjunction with traditional artist media, such as paints and graphite, to express a meaning in the everyday life. In this manner, many different elements of art become more flexible than with traditional artist media.



 These photographs of my youngest daughter Jemma are gorgeous.  Her dark eyes along with her dark hair contrast perfectly with the manipulated colours added to the image.  I love working with this medium and creating exciting and unexpected images.  Photo manipulation certainly has the *WOW* factor and is often commented on.  It certainly helps to work on a subject or person that you are close to, but can also be used effectively on many other subjects. 


Mixed Media - Mixed Race - My Family!

A popart image of my eldest daughter was a pleasure to work on.  Her pouting works wonderfully in producing a pose synonomous with this depiction of art. 

I love the contrasts in this picture of my son playing the drums.  His energy first attracted me; the look on his face screaming passion and determination. His love of music is for all to see!  His musical idol is Michael Jackson so I superimposed the image behind him to give the vision more depth.  I then remembered a picture of Charley looking down and thought that might balance the picture beautifully, and so it did.  It took a lot of  *faffing* to get the look I wanted, but I think I achieved it.  It is now one of my favourite compositions of my son at work and  play. (He is a professional musician)
Music speaks volumes and I loved working with both genres of artistry and turning it into yet another art form.
My eldest son Charley, doing what he does best!









My eldest Joanna, doing what she does best. Posing! 
A girl on a mission!
My daughter Jemma has always loved to shop.  And where better than New York?  She loved every single minute of it!




Gorgeous, Gorgeous, Gorgeous! 








The latest addition to this family blog is a stunning picture of my son Cain and his beautiful neice Eden Rose.  They are both beautifully photogenic and make me feel blessed to have them as my family.  My son is just eleven and Eden is seven months old.  Cain`s adoring look in the photograph clearly shows through the lens of the camera as Eden Rose gently reaches for him with her tiny fingers.  Both subjects are relaxed and totally submerged in their feelings towards each other.  I considered adding text to the image, then realised no words were necessary in this vision of true love and devotion.


The pictures in this collection all feature members of my family.  I will be adding more in due course.


My son Cain. The most photogenically pleasing subject I never tire of working with.  God has blessed me with beautiful children so this part of my blog is a little self indulgent.  However, I hope viewers to my blog enjoy viewing my artwork whatever the subject. I appreciate seeing other artists` personal and family photographic artwork and hope others feel the same about mine.


Digital collage is the technique of using computer tools in collage creation to encourage chance associations of disparate visual elements and the subsequent transformation of the visual results through the use of electronic media. It is commonly used in the creation of digital art
 
 



A collage (From the French: coller, to glue, is a work of formal art, primarily in the visual arts, made from an assemblage of different forms, thus creating a new whole.
 The origins of collage can be traced back hundreds of years, but this technique made a dramatic reappearance in the early 20th century as an art form of novelty.
The term collage derives from the French "colle" meaning "glue". This term was coined by both Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso in the beginning of the 20th century when collage became a distinctive part of modern art.


The eyes are the window to the soul!




I love the cheekiness of this photograph!  My son and my grand-daughter are the ultimate photography models.....must come from experience!

Abstract art sourced from an original mixed media print.  This early piece was dedicated to my family.  I added the names of my four children as I composed the image.  On close inspection of the print the names can be seen in various parts of the image.  Super-imposed images of my youngest son were added at a later time to complete the overall abstract art print.



Multimedia artists are contemporary artists who use a wide range of media to communicate their art. Multimedia art includes, by definition, more than one medium, therefore multimedia artists use visual art in combination with sound art, moving images and other media. The art can take the form of installation art, found objects presented in an artistic form, or kinetic sculpture, among others





My eldest daughter Joanna is also extremely photographic and has used this fact to her advantage as a model and dancer.  She is very expressive and has the most wonderful green eyes and a beautifully shaped mouth.  I love working with her image as I find her look enchanting and stunning.



Wednesday 13 January 2010

Just a Taster

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7"x5" - £2.00 Poster Prints
12"x12" - £27.00 Framed - Silver 10"x8" - £30.00
16"x12" - £30.00
18"x12" - £35.00
20"x16" - £42.00 Framed - Wood
10"x8" - £25.00
20"x16" - £35.00
30"x20" - £55.00

A2 - £35.00

8"x6" - £6.00
Canvas - 40cm x 30cm Matt Finish - £60.00
10"x8" £10.00
60cm x 40cm - £100.00

A4 - £15.00
110cm x 47cm - £150.00
12"x10" £25.00
70cm x 70cm - £120.00

Tuesday 12 January 2010

Twirl and Swirl


I called this piece "Effervescent"

The colours emanating from this picture are both stunning and vibrant. 














Like two radiant spirals these mixed media prints have depth and dimensions to draw the eye to the centre of the design.  In a frantic motion they appear to be swirling and twirling, spinning and spilling their colours in a cacophony of creativity.
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Saturday 9 January 2010

Mixed Media Collages

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http://fineartamerica.com/shop/jan-steadmanjackson.html
http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/jan+steadman-jackson/all

An early piece of mine.  Original source....a small section of a wall mural I painted on my bedroom wall many moons ago.  I adore tulips! 
Ideally I would have liked to have been able to turn one or two of the flowers to be facing a different direction.  Sadly, I was unable to do so, but I am pleased with the finished imagery nonetheless.  A vision in bubblegum pink accentuated by vibrant red and lime green.  Who would have thought it would look so good!




A visual diversion from what may be considered to be my usual style of artwork.  This piece is called Abyss, which I think fits it rather well.  Striking in its geometrical shapes, I wanted to make it atmospheric and dark, not disturbing.  So many connotations can be made by my choice of colours but I think they give a good interpretation of what I hoped to achieve when working on the design.  I do not see it as a doom picture, and purposely added the text in order to soften the impact of the imagery........I hope it works.





Doodles collage.
I love the cleaness and crispness this image portrays due to the chosen colour pallete.  It would look incredible on any wall and deserves to be developed to its biggest proportions in order to fully show off its delicacies.
Family Collage is about my family.  It incorporates the names of my children.  Each name has its own place and geometric shape.


Cat Collage - This collage is centred around my cat Trevor.


Lovely Lillies!                                                 
  Lovely lillies straining upwards to catch the sun greeted me as I visited a friend one summer afternoon.  Pure white in colour they looked supreme and superior.  Although not fragile they appear delicate and soft to the touch.  Their beauty is beyond compare. 

Wild and Wonderful - Bright and Bold!


I called this collage "Rainbow Collage" because the colours remind me of a rainbow emanating from the fuschia in the middle of the image.



Mixed media collages, in my mind, constitute incorporating different images alongside each other to form an attractive picture with no imbalance of colour or subject.  Although it may seem obvious to choose two similar pictures to combine, I like pushing the boundaries by choosing completely differing subjects that would not usually be seen together.  Variation in colour and composition combined can produce a striking effect in the overall vibrancy of the resulting image, as long as there is a common thread running through the collage, which is usually taken from a pallette of four or five colours.  When looking for a focus to work with on a collage, I want something to stimulate me, something to use as a foundation for the image I want to produce.  Sometimes I use a photograph, other times I use my art that I have previously photographed.  Each section must have an obvious focal point that will draw the viewers` eye into the picture.  This will act as a stimulus and I can then work on creating fluency throughout the composition.

Wednesday 6 January 2010

The Snow Returns

The snow fairies have achieved their magic again and transformed our locality into a winter wonderland once again this year.  Not only does this mean more time off work for me, it also means I get the opportunity to take "Narniaesque" pictures which I adore.I love the way the snow settles on branches and gives a naturally artistic perspective and shadowing effect to everything.  Each branch is singled out with a dusting of snow
The usually busy roundabout stands deserted in its frosty snow-covered state.


No escape for the statuesque elm trees, as their usual sway was somewhat hindered by a heavy coating of the white stuff. 
As still as statues, the birds perched stock-still up in the branches

 of these snow-covered trees.

We dont get much snow here in the United Kindom so when we do I love to photograph its beauty.  I love the feel and sound of fresh snow under my feet as I walk.  Its freshness and purity in colour is a beautiful sight and one I try hard to capture with my camera.  I love using trees in my art.  I often draw, paint and photograph them.  I am intrigued by their natural shape and composure. 

When I spotted these five birds high up in the snow-covered trees near my home, I just had to take a photograph of the scene. I couldnt believe how comfortable the birds appeared to be on such a cold day as they perched on the frozen branches. I found the image surreal and amazingly attractive and peaceful.
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