Mixed Media Full of Grace
Mixed media is part of the theme of the next issue of The Polymer Arts (coming out in May) so my recent research has been focused on how polymer is combined with other mediums. Here we have one of my favorite mixed media and polymer artists, Grace Stokes. Grace is not afraid to combine whatever works to create the designs she has in mind. Can you guess what she has combined here?
Chances are polymer is one, right? (Being that is what I usually talk about here, that’s a pretty sure bet.) So yes, it’s that and sterling silver. That’s all she lists. Can that beautiful cabachon in the center be polymer?
Not only does Grace mix materials, she mixes approaches to creating her pieces. She uses traditional metal craft, polymer craft, bead making and CAD drawing. Yes, technology is something she likes to use in order to create the forms she wants to cast in precious metals. And why not? If it helps produce your vision, there is no good reason not to use it.
Creating is not about the medium. It is about the artist, what they want to create, what they want to share. What you use (and how you use it) to get there is of little importance as long as the design and vision is authentic you.
