I absolutely love exploring alternative forms of art making. In recent times, I’ve been working with custom, hand-embossed paper and then painting into the surface. Using watercolor paper, an embossing tool and custom collagraph plates that I make, I am able to emboss the surface with a unique topography that is not only visually interesting but also meaningful to the overall concept.

Bonsai at the Edge is a multi-paneled, mixed-media and custom paper embossed painting about self-reflection and contemplation. In the triptych painting, I wanted to capture an emotion that was relevant to what society is going through right now. As a culture, we seem to be at a crossroads and our choices moving forward will have a monumental impact in terms of what the future will hold.

In many cultures, the bonsai tree is known to evoke harmony and balance. Often used for meditation practice, the spiritual bonsai tree sits at the edge of a cliff: a crossroads of sorts. One can choose to be in the moment with a keen focus on the sun of infinite hope or one can be consumed with the past, spiraling into the chaos that lurks below.

The two side panels that flank the triptych painting symbolize the doors we choose to enter and exit through in life. Throughout the mixed-media embossed painting, leaves are used as symbols of change. In the cliff, the embossed leaves blow across the surface to convey the uncertainty that life brings. The leaves that are on the side panels are layered in a pattern throughout, symbolizing the many changes that life has presented to us over the years. The raised leaves on either side of the doors are more stable, serving as the handles we grab onto in life.

Bonsai at the Edge by Lisa L. Cyr
9 1/4″ by 7 1/2″ mixed-media on paper
Private Collection

 

Rhythms: The Ocean Tides is a mixed-media painting that communicates serenity through rhythm and flow. The ocean tides flow in and out, creating a rhythm that beats in harmony with other natural elements. The musical orchestration of the sea creates sounds that encourage us to look inward, focusing on our innate sense of rhythm. Our breath, our beating heart and the blood that runs through our veins all work in tandem: a rhythmic dance that is uniquely our own.

Rhythms: The Ocean Tides by Lisa L. Cyr
11.25″ x 7″
mixed media on custom embossed paper and wood

 

Detail View of Inner Panel. The smallest elongated, vertical art shows a crashing wave (all hand embossed). The background is also embossed with decorative details, symbolic of rolling waves. The inner panel art is mounted on board.

Throughout the custom embossed, tactile painting, abstract waves organically flow rhythmically across the surface. To evoke the sandy texture of the shore, actual California beach sand was used in the embossing process as a custom collagraph plate.

The color palette, shimmery blues and golden tones, were abstracted from the iridescent colors seen in sea shells. Grinded by the waves to small sand particles, these bits of life long past remind us that everything is part of the process: a united part of a bigger whole. Everything is connected.

Rhythms: The Ocean Tides detail view. The embossed paper makes for wonderful symbolic waves. I was able to achieve this look using a custom collagraph plate that I made and ran the plate and paper through a press without any inking. The raw paper makes for a wonderfully embossed surface to paint on top.

Although most of my work is figurative, I love exploring mindscapes, using custom hand-embossed paper. I find the ability to communicate emotions and the psychological state of mind through picture making to be not only intriguing but highly therapeutic. Working in mixed-media allows me to unite technique, materials and process to communicate a message of healing. You can see more of my mindscape works, through the highlighted link. I have works using a plethora of mixed-media in various sizes!

Hand embossing paper, begins with wetting the surface, this allows the paper to expand and except custom embossing treatments. I particularly like to use watercolor paper over printmaking paper. Although both emboss and deboss beautifully, the watercolor paper will remain embossed and debossed even when I apply lots of acrylic paint on top. Printmaking paper, on the other hand, tends to relax back to its original state when you start will get very wet with acrylics.

To get unique textures into the surface, I create collagraph plates. I have a full step-by-step demonstration in my Masterclass on Patreon.

If you are interested in learning more about working in relief on the painted surface or working in experimental mixed-media techniques, check out my Masterclass on patreon!

https://www.patreon.com/lisalcyr

A Unique Approach:

Masterclass is a unique approach to learning, where each artist works on their own projects, whether that be standalone works or works in a series. Unlike a workshop or an assignment-driven class, this online atelier supports each individual artist’s intent on creating works that they really want to pursue. 

There are approximately SEVEN Live Events every month. The Masterclass Saturday sessions (usually held on the first Saturday of the month) are from 11:00am to 1:00pm EST and the In the Studio sessions are from 2:00pm to 3:00pm on the same day. In addition, there is a monthly Paint, Draw + Create Together event (once a month) on Tuesday from 11:00am to 1:00pm EST and the weekly Sketchbook Meditation + Exploration Social events (3 to 4 times a month) are on Tuesday from 7:00pm to 8:30pm.

Patron Art Feedback sessions for Masterclass are conducted four times a year, giving each artist time to create their works. Artists that cannot attend live can submit up to 3 pieces for a live session review. Each review is recorded.

Experimental + Traditional Techniques:

The Masterclass online atelier covers a variety of topics from studio best practices to a vast array of experimental and traditional painting as well as expressive drawing techniques. The instructor provides monthly assistance and guidance through live  demonstrations, lectures and group chats. ​If you miss a class, you can watch the recording at a later date. 

Painted Passages: This series of posts and videos on how to employ freeform painting techniques to create magical backgrounds and environments in mixed media.

Collage Techniques: This series of posts and videos on using collage techniques in mixed-media works of art.

Working in Relief: This series of posts and videos focuses on working in relief in mixed media, exploring self-expression through texture-building and bas-relief techniques onto the painted surface.

Studio Basics: This series of posts and videos on artistic best practices for the studio artist, from working surfaces, grounds, painting mediums, varnishes, drawing and painting media to brushes, tools and equipment.

Expressive Drawing Series: This series of posts and videos explores alternative mark-making using drawing materials to create expressive works of art. 

Conceptual Development: This series of posts and videos focuses on developing concepts for visually expressive works of art.

Masks, Props + Costuming: This series of posts and videos focuses on how I create unique masks, props and costumes for my figurative subjects.

Insights from the Natural World: This series of posts and videos explores using nature as an inspirational muse for creating artistic works

Just Imagine: This series of posts and videos explore working in a sketchbook as well as creating custom made books. Tactile surfaces, unique designs and engaging presentations stimulate brain activity, allowing artists to drift back to a playful state of mind.

Paint Pictures with Words Writing Club: This series of posts and videos explore writing about our works, creating poetry and prose and using the power of words to assist in the creative process!

Mixed Media Artist Series: This series of posts and videos includes insightful and thought-provoking profiles of leading artists, working in unique techniques and innovative approaches in art.

The Art of Promotion: This series of posts and videos cover artistic promotional strategies and practices.

Check out the complete Collection of Content already on the Navigating the Labyrinth of the Creative Mind site!

Behind-the-Scenes Access:

The artist brings you into her studio through live behind-the-scenes access and weekly posts and videos to current projects and creative endeavors.​

In addition, you have early access to the artist’s upcoming Shows and Exhibitions.

Creative Enrichment:

Discussions regarding artistic growth and development, nurturing the creative spirit, developing personal content, embracing a multidisciplinary mindset and creating message-driven art are also explored as ways to assist artists on their own creative path.

Throughout this online workshop experience, artists discover a multitude of ways to ignite creativity, opening the door for the artistic spirit to shine! Check out the testimonials above from artists around the globe!

Get weekly access to the Rediscovering Your Creative Self weekly podcast which focuses on developing a relationship with the creative spirit that resides within and making daily lifestyle changes that enhance creativity, building a more creative and playful mindset.

Throughout the audio program, topics such as battling the inner critic, handling creative block, working through anxiety and self-doubt and interrupting the patterns that bind are explored. Managing fears, seeing mistakes as rites of passage, knowing when to open and close doors, riding the wave of triumphs and tribulations, avoiding distractions and coping with naysayers that keep one from seeing the light that resides within are covered.

Every month on the Navigating the Labyrinth of the Creative Mind site, there is new Sketchbook Challenge prompt and directive, allowing artists to discover alternative ways in which to practice art that is more personal. Art created from this endeavor is shared on the private Community Chat with other artists.

Sketchbook Meditation + Exploration Weekly Social

Every Tuesday night from 7:00pm to 8:30pm EST, you can attend an open sketchbook night social event called Sketchbook Meditation + Exploration. We discuss the Rediscovering Your Creative Self podcast episode of the week, setting an intention for our work and making daily lifestyle changes that enhance creativity.

Artists use the Sketchbook Meditation + Exploration weekly get-together as a time to commit to working in their sketchbook, experimenting and discussing with other artists topics that will help in developing a relationship with the creative spirit that resides within. Recordings are available for Masterclass artists if they miss a session!

Build a Community:

Be a part of a creative tribe, interacting with artists and enthusiasts from all around the world who have shared interests in art. This is an opportunity to create a robust artistic community, broadening your horizons as a creative person.

Your membership also includes private access to the  Community Group, where patrons share art and works-in-progress, post the monthly Sketchbook Challenges as well as the weekly Sketchbook Meditation + Exploration Social art and work from the Paint Pictures with Words Writing Club. They also share inspiration, discuss new artistic tools, products and equipment as well as interesting and informative books on art and so much more!

Join Us:

The Navigating the Labyrinth of the Creative Mind Online Atelier has weekly posts and videos as well as several LIVE events each month.​

Join month-to-month for $25/mo US or save 5% if you join yearly!

Join NOW!

 

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