Category Archives: Mixed Media

Julie Arkell

Julie Arkell is one of England’s best recognized contemporary folk artist.  Born in London, she studied at West Surrey College of Art and Design in Farnham before gaining a diploma in textiles at St Martin’s School of Art.  Julie works in papier mache, mixing vintage fabrics, scraps of poems and words she loves as well as knits and stitching to her imaginative creatures, full of wit and whimsy.  She is inspired by books, toys, clothes, fabric, wool, the radio, walking and being on the constant look out for whatever catches her eyes.

Her work can always be seen at Contemporary Applied Arts, the Loop in London and online on Instagram.

Images:  Courtesy of Julie Arkell.

Natalie Ciccoricco

Found these on This is Colossal one of our favorite go to source for talents. These ‘Nesting’ series of artwork is the creation of California-based artist Natalie Ciccoricco who embroiders lengthy colorful stitches with twigs mounted on handmade paper.  The Dutch born mix media designer creates collages and illustrations with the use of embroidery thread in combination with other materials such as old books, magazines, photographs, natural objects and other ephemera. She draws inspiration from her dreams, nature, arts, literature and my travels. In her bio she says this about her work: 

“CREATING ART IS A FORM OF MEDITATION TO ME”

“First, I take my time picking out my materials. I carefully prepare them for embroidery and select the different colors of thread I will use. My favorite part is the stitching itself, as it slowly reveals what the piece will look like. 

The repetition of the motions is a very calming process. Even though I always have an idea in my mind of the end result, the finished piece can be quite surprising.”

You can follow the artist on her website, Facebook and Instagram. Some of her artwork is available for purchase on her website shop.

Images:  Courtesy of Natalie Ciccoricco.

Faith Humphrey Hill

Admiring these mixed media portraits created by Chicago-based artist Faith Humphrey Hill, who received a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a Masters in Arts Management from Columbia College.  The knit under layer of her work is manipulate by machine or by hand.  She then collages her original digital drawing with the knitted material.  In her artist statement she says this:

“Knit Prints celebrate our common thread. Combining the visual symbolism of knitting with the expressive color and rendering of digital drawing. They create a comfort and familiarity between viewer and subject though they may be strangers.”

The artist can be found on her website and on Instagram.

Images:  Courtesy of Faith Humphrey Hill.

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