Tonia Jenny - Incite: Dreams Realized

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Welcome to the premiere edition of Incite! Im excited to share with you this compilation of some of the very best art coming from artists who love creating in the vein of mixed media.

As a North Light Books acquisitions editor for the category of mixed media, Ive had the honor and privilege of learning from so many talented artists over the last decade (many of whom have had a direct impact on my own art practice) and have known for years that a book containing a collection of this level was possible. (Selecting the winning pieces was challenging; I wish we could have included more!)

If theres one thing Ive learned about the mixed-media artist, its this: The free spirit that embraces mixed media is not afraid to take risks and to explore new ground. After all, I think its the desire to try new things and new combinations of materials that makes someone a mixed-media artist in the first place. And youll see many examples of this fearless approach on the pages to follow. Like Mel Grunau says, When pursuing your dream, dont be afraid to experiment. Try something new. You may be pleasantly surprised.

The theme we chose for this first Incite edition is Dreams Realized. Dreams are comprised of many facets, and as artists, we have no shortage of artistic dreamsintentions of success, messages we hope our work conveys, triumphing over challenges and realizing self-growth, just to name a few directions these dreams can take.

Because of the beautifully wide scope that is mixed media, youre going to be inspired here by works from a variety of approachescollage, acrylic painting, assemblage, sculpture and more. Whatever your own favorite materials to work with are, I think youll be inspired to try new things and to create new dreams after youve seen some of whats possible. I like the advice of Gayle Gerson:

Remember, doing art is never a waste of time, even if it doesnt turn out as you desire, because as you work, you enrich your creative soul and take a few steps more toward realizing your artistic dream.

So make yourself comfortable and enjoy the amazing artwork that follows. I hope it inspires you to pursue your own dreams. Tonia Jenny

It is my job as an illustrator to create visually what a writer puts into words; not to compete with, but to complement a story. Michael Weiss

THE BOAT

Michael Weiss | 20" 28" (51cm 71cm) | Nikon CoolPix camera, Adobe Photoshop CS3

The process I used to create this image wasnt new to me, but it was the first time I felt confident enough to market and sell my work. Since creating The Boat, I have been able to develop a much stronger portfolio that is unified by the technique. It was this image that pushed me to display my work in a gallery and feel comfortable talking about it.

Over the past few years, my work has fallen into this playful, fanciful and surreal world. It is a joy to dance in the clouds and create these dreamlike images. I usually have a story or path on which I travel for the work, but I try not to reveal too much to the viewer, allowing their own interpretations to guide them through the image.

Dreamy Visions, Dreamlike States, Dream Interpretations

The dreams one has at night are often re-expressed in the art one creates from the imagination, because the imagination is no stranger to the dream. Conversely, many artists fall into a dreamlike state when they are in the flow of creation, and the art that comes out of them is as intuitive as any dream the subconscious works up.

Pat Stevens understands how dreams are a combination of emotions, symbols and seemingly mysterious messages: By using nontraditional materials and new techniques, mixed-media work often breaks the binds of traditional art and enters a less-defined area similar to the dream state.

Whether we are trying to create a dreamy experience for the viewer of our art, or we are pulling personal symbology, iconography and metaphors from what we recall of our dreams to use in our art, art often begins as a dream.

THE SERVANTS OF ORD, DETAIL

Karen S. Furst | 12" 12" (30cm 30cm) | painted epoxy clay, aluminum foil, Styrofoam, muslin and wool fabric, stained coffee filters | photography by Luigi Ciuffetelli | see artists note later in this chapter

NIGHT SKY

Trudi Sissons | 6" 6" (15cm 15cm) | mixed media on rice paper, Craft Attitude film overlay, watercolor, vintage ephemera, skeleton leaves on cradled wood panel

Shortly before my father-in-law passed, he told his son that upon his passing, he would return to the stardust from which he came. This notion gives my muse endless creative imagery as I attempt to communicate visually how, as sentient beings, we are all a part of each otherone energy, one flow. The semitransparent female figure in Night Sky attempts to echo this belief, reflecting the stardust that flows through her.

Dedicated to Dr. Gilbert Rampling, 19242010

Art making is like dreaminggo wild and let your story unfold. Mariette Leufkens

LEONARDOS DAY SPA

Mariette Leufkens | 36" 48" (91cm 122cm) | color photocopies, acrylic paint, paper, plastic on canvas

Leonardos Day Spa was inspired by a trip to Florence, Italy.

Nothing is more rejuvenating and dreamlike to me than soaking in hot, steaming, outdoor mineral baths! Earths most essential resource, water, has been used for centuries to soothe and restore the body, mind and spirit. My dream was to create a day spa for Leonardo da Vincis famous womenapply clay facial masks, put them in bathing suits, soak them in waterwhich resulted in this surreal gathering on canvas.

I spent endless hours painting and then blending the textures, details and colors into a smooth matte finish. Small brushes are my absolute favorite tools.

The beauty of art isnt in the works perfection; it is in its ability to tell the truth. Mary R. Rork-Watson