I’ve been experimenting with mixed media, and since I’m so new with it all it’s been fun just playing. I can’t remember the last time I just sat and played. You know? So this is the result of my recent playing experiment. I’m trying to get a handle on which techniques work best for me.
I had an idea to do a picture to “illustrate” one of my poems. The poem, called “Read the Label” is about people who give us labels, such as: smart, stupid, lazy, ungrateful, etc. The poem describes how a label can stay with us even after other people tell us it doesn’t fit. Sometimes we hang on to them because we’re trying to please someone else.
In the poem, there is a girl trying on clothes, and over the years she tries to squeeze into different dresses with various negative “labels,” until she finds the one that fits. The dress that actually fits her is a label that says “passionate and honest.” This was the label she wanted to give herself.Ā I wanted to take this concept to a series of pictures, where a girl says what her “label” really was.
So, having said all that, here comes the playing. First, I took a canvas and painted the background. Then, I sketched out a girl in a dress using paper from an old book. I kept layering until I felt like I had enough on there. I had so much fun playing, but of course I’ve also learned what I would and wouldn’t do next time. I’m going to do this one again to get the effect I really want, but the first one was so much fun. And that’s the point of crafting, isn’t it?
Cyndi L says
Oh, I like this very very much! Especially the sentiment of your poem. Very nice balance on your page…the balance in the composition speaks to me of the new balance in the happy girl’s perception of herself.
Cherie says
Aw, thanks Cyndi! I’m still learning, but I really enjoy this medium.
Eileen says
I love that poem, Cherie. I think we all acquire some of those labels during childhood. It takes a while to figure out which ones are true and which aren’t.
I think your mixed media piece would make a terrific cover for your next book š
Cherie says
I never thought of that! Maybe I should make that as a cover going forward. Plus, glad you like that poem! You’re so sweet.
Linette says
I love this! It turned out great. I really need to try some mixed media of my own, and you should play more often:-)
Cherie says
Aw, thanks L! I can’t wait to see your mixed media stuff. You always make such cute projects.