This piece was created for a mixed media assignment using inks, acrylics, oil, and watercolor paper.
The subject was our dog Dolly, which made it especially fun and personal for me. She has so much personality, and I wanted that to come through in the painting, not just in her likeness, but in the feeling of the piece as a whole.
Working this way pushed me to think differently about layering materials and letting each one do something unique. The inks brought movement and spontaneity. The acrylic helped build structure and color relationships. The oil let me slow down and bring more softness, depth, and attention into certain areas. I’m still learning how these materials speak to each other, but that was part of what made this so interesting.
At the same time, I’ve also been doing separate work around developing my personal aesthetic, thinking about the art I want to live with and the art I want to create. While that was not the same assignment, I could feel some overlap as I worked on this painting.
I noticed how naturally I was drawn toward expressive color, softness, energy, and a sense of warmth. I wanted the piece to feel alive. Not rigid, not overly controlled, but full of heart and personality. That says something to me about what I’m drawn to visually and emotionally.
So even though this painting began as a mixed media exercise, it ended up giving me a few clues about my own voice too. And I think that is one of the most exciting parts of this season for me. As I learn new techniques, I’m also learning more about what feels true to me.
Dolly felt like a beautiful subject for that kind of discovery.
