A Little Mixed Media - "Believe"

 Hello my creative maker friends, we are almost at the middle of December! It is dark here in the Pacific Northwest, so I wanted to counteract that with some additional art. Since I have been really itching to create some mixed media, the More Than Words December Challenge has provided the perfect inspiration. Additionally, I wanted to create some original art for my newsletter subscribers, of which a final 2018 edition went out yesterday.

For those who may be unfamiliar with More Than Words (MTW), they are a team of mixed media artists and admins that host a monthly main + mini design challenge, arranged around a theme or technique. I have been lurking at the site for many months now (as well as follow their Instagram feed). While I may have a more painterly aesthetic than some on the site (for lack of a better descriptive term), I nevertheless find the challenges, as well as the resulting artwork, inspiring. Of course, I am a huge mixed media fan, so I was thrilled with the opportunity to create some using one of my favorite techniques, stamping.

In part, the raw materials.

"Believe"
December, 2018
9" x 12"
mixed media on watercolor paper

While my inspiration is fairly obvious (well, ok, at least to me): believe in the light of the season, it of course has a deeper personal meaning. Belief in oneself is an iffy proposition on the best of days (especially if one works in design/art/creative pursuits), so a little reminder to myself is always a good thing. 

Here is how it appeared at the top of my subscriber newsletter.

And here is how it looks on my holiday "mantle."

I will eventually frame it in a clear, floating frame, and I expect it will be displayed each year with all the rest of my holiday decorations and art.

Thanks so much, MTW, for this fun and timely challenge!