Confessions of a Mixed Media Artist

Sketchbook Confidential 2

2012-01-19T09:13:00.000-08:00

My work will be featured in a new book called Sketchbook Confidential 2 (North Light Books). It is available now for pre-order on Amazon. Check out my figure/character study on the cover!

http://www.amazon.com/Sketchbook-Confidential-secret-worlds-artists/dp/1440316953

New Workshop in Mixed Media!

2011-11-30T07:08:00.000-08:00

RISING SUN TOURISM will be hosting my weekend workshop in Mixed Media on June 23 and 24, 2012 (Saturday and Sunday) from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Schroder Building
1360 Fairgrounds Road; Rising Sun, IN
Call 812.438.4933 or email Lisa Bowne at ocralisa@gmail.com
http://www.enjoyrisingsun.com/
Limited to 25 students

This highly visual, hands-on workshop will investigate exploratory methodologies, techniques and approaches in mixed-media art. Throughout the workshop, many exciting in-depth demonstrations will be shown, providing an extensive array of visually-stimulating possibilities for artists to explore. Both two-dimensional and three-dimensional mixed-media techniques will be covered, including employing alternative working grounds, using custom tools, toning the painting surface in imaginative ways, creating a tactile ground, building the visual architecture and utilizing innovative mixed-media techniques to create intriguing effects. To assist artists in their own creative path, topics on nurturing the creative spirit, developing personal content through journalism, embracing a multidisciplinary mindset and creating message-driven art will also be discussed. For artists that are looking to push their work to a new level, this workshop will be a valuable resource and an ongoing source for creative inspiration. Art Revolution and Experimental Painting books will be available for purchase and signing!

Mixed-Media Weekend Workshop: The Art Students League of New York

2011-10-28T10:49:00.000-07:00

EXPERIMENTAL PAINTING: INSPIRATIONAL APPROACHES IN
MIXED MEDIA with Lisa L. Cyr
This highly visual, hands-on workshop will investigate exploratory methodologies, techniques and approaches in mixed-media art. Throughout the workshop, many exciting in-depth demonstrations will be shown, providing an extensive array of visually-stimulating possibilities for artists to explore. Both two-dimensional and three-dimensional mixed-media techniques will be covered, including employing alternative working grounds, using custom tools, toning the painting surface in imaginative ways, creating a tactile ground, building the visual architecture and utilizing innovative mixed-media techniques to create intriguing effects. To assist artists in their own creative path, topics on nurturing the creative spirit, developing personal content through journalism, embracing a multidisciplinary mindset and creating message-driven art will also be discussed. For artists that are looking to push their work to a new level, this workshop will be a valuable resource and an ongoing source for creative inspiration.

The Art Students League of New York
215 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10019
212.247.4510

April 28 to 29, 2012
10:00am to 4:30pm

http://www.theartstudentsleague.org/Workshops.aspx

Mixed Media Demo: Voyage to Michaelania

2011-10-22T14:41:00.000-07:00

This three-part demo covers several mixed-media techniques, including texturing the working ground, employing ink transfers, transparent and opaque painting, monoprinting, creating multidimensional accents, using die-cut and debossed paper, infusing pattern and texture, employing a patina, dry brushing, sponging, sgraffito, spattering, custom debossing using a handmade stamp, altering hardware and adding a patina to vintage assemblage accents. Here is a link to my three-part video:
http://www.cyrstudio.com/demonstrations_voyage.html

Working in Mixed Media: An Exploratory Process

2011-10-16T11:32:00.000-07:00

My latest video, "Working in Mixed Media: An Exploratory Process". This video discusses working in an exploratory mixed-media process, finding sources of inspiration, using altered, repurposed and custom tools for signature mark-making and utilizing alternative surfaces and materials. It also covers conceptual ideation and the development of personal content.

Printmaking with Ordinary Objects

2011-10-07T09:33:00.000-07:00

If you look around, there is a new textural imprint just waiting to be explored! In my book Experimental Painting, I've used burlap, romaine lettuce leaves, sprigs, paper towels, plastic grocery bags, aluminum foil, bubble wrap, textured wallpaper, string and sponges just to name a few items. Almost any material can be used. You can employ them flat, crinkled, wadded-up or in combination to make interesting marks onto the surface of your work. Look around your surroundings to see what you can find! Here is a link to take a look inside my new book Experimental Painting: http://www.amazon.com/Experimental-Painting-Inspirational-Approaches-Mixed/dp/144030811X/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

Using Self-leveling Clear Gel

2011-10-03T11:59:00.000-07:00

Self-leveling clear gel is poured into a flat plastic mold. Ultramarine Blue and Phalo Green liquid acrylic as well as Gold metallic paint are dropped into the wet medium and swirled with a sharpened stick, creating a unique design. It is left to harden in the mold for several days and later removed. It can serve as a stand-alone piece or be added to another work as an accent.

For a free wallpaper that uses self-leveling clear gel, go to:
http://www.artistsnetwork.com/free-bonus-materials-experimental-painting

Making a Custom Roller

2011-09-29T11:49:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to a step-by-step demonstration on how to build a custom roller to create signature marks onto your painted or treated working surface!
Create a Custom Roller

Using Tape Lift-Off to Play with Sketches

2011-09-25T11:39:00.000-07:00

After a day of life drawing, I often like to play with my life sketches in a mixed media way! To create the piece shown here, I scanned my sketch into the computer, converted it to grayscale and printed it out using a black-and-white laser printer. I then placed clear packing tape over the laser print and rubbed the surface. I removed the tape from the print and washed off the excess paper from the back with water. What remained was just the ink from the print. I then took the various strips of clear tape with ink on them and laid them over an abstract, palette knife painted piece I did in acrylics. The areas less dense with ink appear almost transparent, allowing the painted image on the working surface to show through. The more dense areas create a subtle mixture between the ink and the painted surface. By using tape lift-off to play with my sketches, I now not only have my original sketch but also have a mixed-media derivative from which to inspire other works.

Making Custom-Treated Paper

2011-09-21T12:29:00.000-07:00

Often at the end of a long painting day, I have left over acrylic paint on my palette. I really hate to throw it out or try and save it, especially if there is really no special mixture that I will need the next day. So, I often use the leftover paint to make custom-treated papers. The paper sample that you see in the detailed picture uses tracing paper that has been crinkled, laid flat and painted with washes of acrylic paint, using a spray bottle with water to mix the colors. I dry everything with a hairdryer and then dry-brush Gold paint on top. Now, I have no paint to throw out and a custom paper to use later on!

Playing with Cloth

2011-09-19T14:00:00.000-07:00

While cleaning the studio, I came across some natural and synthetic cloth that I had purchased a while back in the garment district in NYC. I, of course, had to play with it. To create the effect that you see in the detailed picture, I mixed up a batch of white gesso and molding paste thinned with water. I covered both sides of a gauze-like material with the mixture and began to sculpt, arranging the material in a dynamic way onto my working surface. Once fully dried, the surface is painted with blue and green acrylic washes. I then dry-brushed gold on top, hitting only the peak areas. It created a perfect texture study for an underwater scene I am working on!