It has been a super busy time here with gardening so little else has been done. A disused old greenhouse got a facelift and a veg garden planned. A bit late I know but the lady we rent our apartment from asked if we would give her garden a facelift. We live on a corner of an old demense with native woodland around us and a view to the sea. Delighted at the challenge and a few gorgeous day’s weather, we charged headlong into it. I sat down this morning and photographed a few finished pieces of mixed media work as promised in my last post. I have a few new ones started too using both modelling paste and marble paste.
I really love how this one turned out, the veins on the hydrangeas have been highlighted with an iridescent blue and the sculpted background almost gives the feel of being underwater. A deep white box frame will suit this piece.
This one was born from the mermaids purses which I found in abundance on our local beaches after stormy weather. I have four different ones from black to pale brown to incorporate on pieces. I discovered a website here that documents where people find them and how to identify them which is interesting. These 10 cm square canvas pieces will be sold with a mini easel to show them on which I think works perfectly.
This 10 cm square work incorporates a piece of fishing net, some air dried clay cups and small pearly beads with golds and iridescent colours. Lots of texture going on here.
This piece I will be adding more to, perhaps some tiny copper wire with beads coming out of the coral.
This piece is at the early stages with marble paste used for extra texture and modelling paste for the smoother areas.
These two are also in the early stages.
This is another using the mermaids purses, they were wound together and were likely growing on the same seaweed. This one is with marble paste and found shells from my local beach. The canvas was recycled from a piece that didn’t work out.
Lastly this piece has had some fresh water pearls added and when the beads arrive, they will have copper wire and tiny beads added to the tubes.
As you can see, I am really enjoying working with these mixed media pieces! hope you like them and of course, any questions… hit the comments section below. See you next time! Happy gardening for all those who, like me, need to keep in touch with the earth.
Karima Rebecca Powell Artist 