Mixed Media Art

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 8 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #350 in Arts , #6,955 overall

What is "Mixed Media" Art?

Technically speaking, "mixed media" is any combination of two or more primary artistic mediums combined in a single piece of artwork.

Popular materials for mixed media art include, but are certainly not limited to, paper, hardware, wood, shells, fabrics, and "found objects".

This page will look at some popular forms, provide links to artists working in mixed media, and showcase books about the topic.

For a more in depth look at Card Making, another Mixed Media Art, please visit Card Making

If you are more interested in found art jewelry, you may want to see
Found Art Jewelry

The photo at right is an example of an original mixed media design. It features ink painting, rubber stamping, and collage.

Mixing Your Mediums 

art-wise, that is

When I think of "mixed media', what usually comes to mind are mental images of collages or paintings which incorporate pieces of fabric or wood. Mixed media art also covers such fields as altered photography used in paintings, assemblage pieces, and fabric arts incorporating found objects.

Mixed Media Creations 

Here are some examples of mixed media art for you to enjoy.

by .susanne

hand by bangli 1

hand

Lid by TheGreenFly

Lid

Eye by TheGreenFly

Eye

Triptychon by bangli 1

Triptychon

bamboo by bangli 1

bamboo

Mixed Media on Recycled Wood / 20090930.SD850IS.3327.P1.L1.C23 / SML by See-ming Lee 李思明 SML

Mixed Media on Recyc...

Mixed Media Painting (Detail) by Choichun Leung / Dumbo Arts Center: Art Under the Bridge Festival 2009 / 20090926.10D.54933.P1.L1 / SML by See-ming Lee 李思明 SML

Mixed Media Painting...

Mixed Media Painting (Detail) by Choichun Leung / Dumbo Arts Center: Art Under the Bridge Festival 2009 / 20090926.10D.54932.P1.L1.C23 / SML by See-ming Lee 李思明 SML

Mixed Media Painting...

Untitled Abstract / 20090930.SD850IS.3335.P1.L1.C23 / SML by See-ming Lee 李思明 SML

Untitled Abstract /...

automatically generated by Flickr

More On the Subject 

Mixed media is often used to express more emotion in a piece than a single form such as painting alone would allow. Altered books and clothing, found-art jewelry, personal shrines...all these are deeply individual expressions of creativity made using the stuff of everyday life.

Of course, mixed media is also as "mainstream" as art gets, too. Many galleries and museums feature works by mixed media artists such as Joseph Cornell, famous for "Cornell Boxes", a form of assemblage (see images below).

Polymer Clay Image Transfer 

Here is one example of mixing your media. Take an image from a photograph or print and transfer it on polymer clay.
This informative demo shows you how.

Runtime:
views
Comments:

curated content from YouTube

Mixed Media Art Reading Materials 

There are so many great books and magazines dedicated to this topic, today. The following are just a few examples to get you started exploring the field.
Art Making, Collections, and Obsessions: An Intimate Exploration of the Mixed-Media Work and Collections of 35 Artists
Art Making, Collections,...
Fabric Art Workshop: Exploring Techniques & Materials for Fabric Artists and Quilters
Fabric Art Workshop: Expl...
Mixed Emulsions: Altered Art Techniques for Photographic Imagery
Mixed Emulsions: Altered...
Mixed-Media Mosaics: Techniques and Projects Using Polymer Clay Tiles, Beads & Other Embellishments
Mixed-Media Mosaics: Tech...
Collage Discovery Workshop
Collage Discovery Worksho...

Assemblage Pieces 

You're right, no human being would stack books like this. by moppet65535

You're right, no hum...

angoisse - 1939 by Artpjm

angoisse - 1939

Passant New York 1939 by Artpjm

Passant New York 193...

Six Blue Circles by qthomasbower (catching up slowly)

Six Blue Circles

BATISCAN by ARBRE ÉVOLUTION

BATISCAN

Champ de moutarde (vue panoramique) by ©JL62

Champ de moutarde (v...

Jacob Robichaux, Tacto [installation view], 2009 by 16 Miles of String

Jacob Robichaux, Tac...

Jacob Robichaux, Tacto [installation view], 2009 by 16 Miles of String

Jacob Robichaux, Tac...

Jacob Robichaux, Tacto [installation view], 2009 by 16 Miles of String

Jacob Robichaux, Tac...

Jacob Robichaux, Tacto [installation view], 2009 by 16 Miles of String

Jacob Robichaux, Tac...

automatically generated by Flickr

Books Featuring Great Mixed Media Artists 

These titles are by or about some really amazing creative souls who work in mixed media. Definately worth checking out!
Mixed-Media Mosaics: Techniques and Projects Using Polymer Clay Tiles, Beads & Other Embellishments
Mixed-Media Mosaics: Tech...
Secrets of Rusty Things: Transforming Found Objects into Art
Secrets of Rusty Things:...
Crafting Personal Shrines: Using Photos, Mementos & Treasures to Create Artful Displays
Crafting Personal Shrines...
Pretty Little Things: Collage Jewelry, Trinkets and Keepsakes
Pretty Little Things: Col...
Secrets in a Box (Adventures in Art)
Secrets in a Box (Adventu...

Comments? Suggestions? 

I would love to hear from anyone who dabbles in mixed media regarding their techniques, or have links to their pages added!
Thanks for visiting.

Lensmaster

LeftHandMan wrote...

Mixed media work reminds me a bit of Thomas Hart Benton. Wasn't he the muralist that made clay models for his paintings? Nice work.

ReplyPosted June 07, 2009

Lensmaster

Laserlover wrote...

in reply to JudyDunn

Hi Judy,

I recently joined and my mixed media artwork is a exotic combination of Lasers and Stained Glass. Pop by sometime to have a peek and give me your opinion.

Laserlover

ReplyPosted January 11, 2009

Lensmaster

JudyDunn wrote...

I would love to see larger images of some of the work. And perhaps some 3D assemblages? Some great resources listed here.

ReplyPosted December 21, 2008

Lensmaster

alteredkat wrote...

Thanks for lensrolling my Scrabble Tile Pendant lens...I've done the same with this 5* Mixed Media Art lens! :D

ReplyPosted September 22, 2008

Lensmaster

opalship wrote...

Another...?
Wehave a few common interests it appears!
You might ask Wayne fom opalauctions, about selling there. It require screening and approval, often a refferal too.
Almost everything I listed with him SOLD FAST!
As fast as within 45 min of listings.
If your dependable, you can say opalship mentioned you ask.
I do mixed media arts of MANY sorts, surprisingly made into some private hard to view if possible collections.
Always a pleasant surprise when that happens.

ReplyPosted September 09, 2008

view all 6 comments

Find Other Great Art... All Styles! 

Visit Art.com today! Visit Art.com

by TankDog

Tank Dog is a collector of lenses that interest him. Often eclectic but sure to enjoy, take a look around, I'm sure you'll find something you enjoy! (more)

Explore related pages

Inchies
Inchies are the eeny teeny evolution of the popular artist trading card revoluti...
Paper Crafting
Paper Crafting is a broad term which covers a wide range of creative pursuits fr...
Mixed Media
The heart of the mixed media artist is one that asks, I wonder what would happen...
Free Craft Ideas
Firstly a very warm welcome to Crafts To Make. There are so many different craft...
ALtEReD Art ~ Mixed Media Art ~ Collage ~ Found Objects ~ Recycled Art!
The 70's called it "Jazz-it-up". The 80's...."Glam-it-up". T...
Paper Crafting
Paper Crafting is a broad term which covers a wide range of creative pursuits fr...

Related Topics

TankDog Recommends...

Create a Lens!