What is Mixed Media Art?

When people ask me what kind of art I make, I often begin by saying, “It’s mixed media.” But what does that actually mean?

A Simple Definition

At its heart, mixed media art refers to artwork that combines more than one material or technique in a single piece. This could include anything from acrylic paint layered with collage, to ink alongside pastel, or even stitching over painted surfaces. There are no strict rules — and that’s what makes it so exciting.

For me, mixed media means freedom. It allows me to explore texture, contrast, and emotion in ways that a single medium simply can’t. It’s where traditional materials meet intuition.

Why I Choose Mixed Media

My process often begins with memory — a moment, a smell, a sound — and builds from there. Mixed media gives me the tools to respond to these fragments intuitively, layering pigment, paper, and mark-making until something clicks.

Sometimes I paint over a surface dozens of times. I might collage in old papers, scrape back layers, add charcoal or graphite, then paint again. It’s a rhythm of building up and breaking down until the piece feels honest.

Materials I Often Use

In my studio, you’ll usually find:

• Acrylic paint

• Watercolour and gouache

• Handmade collage papers

• Graphite, pastel, and ink

• Glazes and texture mediums

• Charcoal, sometimes fabric, or found materials

These materials are layered, edited, and reworked — often over many weeks.

The Emotional Layer

Beyond technique, what I love most is how mixed media reflects the complexity of life. Layers can suggest memory, time, tension, harmony, chaos — and eventually, resolution. Each piece becomes a visual map of my thoughts, mistakes, decisions, and discoveries.

Final Thoughts

Mixed media isn’t about perfection. It’s about embracing process, and allowing the materials to lead. It invites unpredictability, and through that, something genuine can emerge.

If you’ve never explored it before — either as an artist or a collector — I hope this gives you a little insight into why it’s so close to my heart.