Personal Artwork Innovation

Curiosity motivates artists to explore new creative realms. This interest drives us to find new processes and materials, with each stroke and color combination representing our curious nature and readiness to question the status quo, especially in today's society.

In our pursuit of creation, we welcome uncertainty, venturing outside of our comfort zones to investigate unorthodox areas where typical methodologies and established materials may fall short. Our fearlessness may stem from a willingness to embrace uncertainty, which allows us to take risks and push the limits of our creativity. Embracing the unknown brings us new options, frequently leading to unexpected discoveries that form our artistic journeys.

Our art is a combination of technique and emotion. Experimenting with diverse ways helps us enhance our technical skills, allowing us to convey complicated emotions with precision and depth. Combining sophisticated methods with our raw emotions results in artworks that deeply connect with viewers. It's a delicate balance in which technical proficiency complements emotional expression, raising the artwork to a level of timeless beauty.

While tradition has historical and meaningful value, artists defy its restrictions. We defy conventional conventions, challenging established standards and reimagining the fundamental concept of art. By disrupting these patterns, we allow new trends and styles to arise, making a permanent mark on art history.

Materials are the foundation of our work, and we are alchemists, transforming ordinary materials into exceptional creations (and let’s be honest—the materials aspect is a really fun one). Experimenting with new materials brings up a whole new world of possibilities. We investigate the combination of materials, uncovering their unique capabilities and experimenting with unexpected combinations, from unorthodox canvases to avant-garde paints. This process enhances the visual elements of our artworks and adds levels of significance, providing the spectator with a multi-sensory experience.

In our search for new ideas, we utilize a variety of creative tools that serve as a palette for limitless possibilities. Using different brushes with different colors can add unexpected textures, and playing with different canvases might change the base of our designs. Whether it's the transparency of watercolors, the depth of oil paints, the malleability of clay, or the accuracy of computer tools, each resource provides a new channel for creative expression.

We explore unexplored ground by using a range of brushes, paints, materials, and computer interfaces to find the unique stories each can tell. For example, the rough texture of a certain paper may inspire textured landscapes, much as digital brushes can produce intricate digital tapestries. Throughout this artistic journey, our art tools become partners, proposing possibilities and directing our hands as we shape, paint, and sculpt our ideas into reality. The key to unlocking our limitless creativity is in their diversity, which leads us deeper into the realm of unending artistic exploration.

Art supplies, traditionally designed for specific techniques, can be repurposed or combined in innovative ways to create unique effects and push artistic boundaries. So what can we use to innovate within our practice? What supplies can impact our message?

Now for the fun part. Art supplies and experimentation! What could be some combinations to explore in your practice? Here are some of my favorites that I like to recommend to my students in order to begin exploring new ways to create.

Watercolor pencils

Watercolor pencils, when used on canvas, provide a sketchy texture. These lines can be activated with water to create a watercolor effect. When combined with acrylic or oil paints, they add intricate details and textures.

Acrylic Mediums!

Acrylic mediums can be so fun to experiment with—if you have walked past them in the art supply store and weren’t sure what to do with them, grab a few and start experimenting! Acrylic mediums, like molding paste or gel, can be used to create three-dimensional textures. These can be sculpted, carved, or molded to add depth and dimension to paintings, transforming a flat canvas into a textured masterpiece.

Found Objects

We think of collage mostly in a 2D manner…but what about if you use some found objects?! Everyday items like newspaper clippings, fabrics, or broken objects can be incorporated into collages. Mixed media collages allow artists to tell complex stories by juxtaposing diverse materials, creating intriguing visual narratives. Check out the the work by Robert Rauschenberg for inspiration.

Alcohol Ink

Alcohol Ink and Yupo paper are such a great combo to explore and experiment with in your new adventures in branching out in your material use. Alcohol inks, normally used on non-porous surfaces, can be applied on Yupo paper. The ink spreads, creating vibrant and unpredictable patterns. Artists can manipulate the ink with various tools to produce mesmerizing, organic designs. I have also experimented with alcohol inks on porous surfaces, like canvas and watercolor—it’s fun to see what happens!

Coffee (and tea!)

One of my favorites! Coffee and tea can be used as watercolor paints. The stains they create evoke a vintage, sepia-toned effect. Artists can control the intensity of the stain by varying the concentration, resulting in nuanced and atmospheric artworks. So fret not if you dip your brush by accident in your coffee—test it out and see how it works in your art!

Natural Pigments and Dye

My current obsession. It’s been fun to experiment with natural pigments and dyes derived from plants, minerals, or insects. These pigments create unique, earthy colors and textures, offering a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to commercial paints. I’ve been making them into pain and also combining with the acrylic mediums above to make an even more interesting texture to work with in my pieces.

Final Thoughts

With each brushstroke, color combination, and imaginative use of materials, we reflect our experiences on the canvas of life. Remember that creativity is an ongoing inquiry, not a destination—a journey we pursue together to shape our imaginative relationship with the cosmos. As we celebrate our art and its history, we discover that the genuine essence is found not only in the finished piece, but also in the process of creation. So, as we continue to experiment, question, and innovate, let us embrace the endless canvas of creativity, which always invites us to explore, discover, and create together.