Delivered this commissioned piece to my client last week, so I thought I'd share a little of the process of creating it.
When I do custom Mixed Media I spend some time thinking about what the client has requested, the things they would like included, or photos they have provided. This comes from the conversations I have with them, where I'm gathering information, getting a feel for what aspects of previous works I've done that they were drawn to. Priority for me is to find out what drew them to my art to begin with, because if it's just one piece that they like then trying to create a custom piece for them may not work. They have to like my style overall for me to be willing to take on a project. The other thing I'm watching out for, is if their 'vision' of what they want is so detailed and full blown that in truth it's their artistic vision they are wanting and not what I could do for them.
After I've thought of a basic design layout, I begin to gather some collage elements and lay them out on the canvas to get a feel for size and scale. Typing up text elements, finding the right font for the look I'm going for, printing out various sizes, getting just the right images, in the right scale, figuring out embellishments and accent or focal points all takes time and a lot of reprints!
Then the work on the piece begins and this is where I find intuition and just following my gut kicks into high gear. I may reach for one thing to texture with and find myself selecting a completely different one. I don't question this.
Colour is often my biggest challenge. Of course I've discussed this with the client probably gotten pictures of their wall colours and the room the painting is intended for so I have some idea of where I'm going. I use my Art Journal to play with my intended colour selections to see how they mingle and blend with one another. Then once again as I begin to layer in the washes of painting it's all intuitive from there.
Once the final layers of paint are down and dried then comes the finessing of various accents. Often a clear drying crackle is applied in various places, when this has dried then layers of both paint and inks are applied to get the effect I want for that particular piece.
Other embellishments, from rusted lace, cheese cloth or other fabric might be added along with as in this case the door plate and keys. I may go through a lot of different options before making that final selection and getting them glued down and secured into place. Lately I've been including the paintings 'story' to give to my client. I can't tell you how many times clients who have bought mixed media pieces will contact me later, wanting to know why I used certain things, what were my thoughts or their significance.
'Open Hearts' is among my favourite pieces I've done to date and I'm pleased to say the client loved it as well, story and all!
"When intuition stops moving, there is always a controlling thought behind it." M. Cassou
