Funky Whimsical Mixed Media Art - Michelle Collins Studio

I work in a wide variety of media and subject matter. In December of 2006 I was to have a featured show at the: Progress Energy Art Gallery in New Port Richey, Florida. For this show I wanted to complete all new art pieces, each combining all of the elements I work with, incorporated into each piece.

I called this series "ALL MIXED UP" because they range in subject and style, but have all of the following elements in common: acrylic paint, polymer clay, raffia, varnish, wire, wood and dimensional fabric paint.

I did not get to complete enough artwork to fill the show due to an unpredictable string of events; so I just filled the show with new and past works. I have however, continued with pieces that fit into this series.

The artwork on the left is titled "Tropical Mess" It is 42" tall and was a gift to a friend. The sculpture took me forever! I created it for my gallery show I mentioned above that was titled "Welcome To My Imagination-Please Excuse The Mess".

Creating this piece in brief:

I wrapped the cardboard cylinder with raffia and painted it. Next I sculpted the flowers and other accents, hanging off of the piece.

The bottom was the hardest.
I formed a wire hanger to create a stand, then crisscrossed and braided all of the raffia to keep it sturdy. I tied them all to sculpted flowers on all 4 sides.

Then added my competed flowers and the rest and sprayed it down with varnish.

More pieces from this show and photos of the show are below!