As a cradle Catholic, I have always been fascinated with Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ, who I have called upon for guidance plenty. I find her apparitions particularly mind-blowing. And hopeful. While living in Europe, I spent 17 hours on a bus (each way) to attend a military pilgrimage to Lourdes, where Mary appeared to Bernadette. It was a celebratory, uplifting, powerfully positive experience. Military members from all over the world, joining together to celebrate faith. And hope. And I did see plenty of laughter, food and music being shared by men and women in a variety of uniforms during afternoons in the pubs. Joyous to observe.

Contemplate Mary among us in 2022. She may be sitting next to you at the movies or behind you in line at the grocery store. Kind and loving. Inclusive and open-minded. Non-judgmental. Hip in her rose floral bikini. Laying in the picturesque desert, appreciating the God-given and gorgeous Arizona weather and landscape. Maybe reciting the rosary. Her Son calls as she reads her digital bible on her cell phone. Traditional symbols of Mary can be found throughout this piece if you look closely. Roses. A Rosary. Twelve Stars. Tiny angels. Holding our globe. A Fleur de Lis. A crown. An “M” signet ring. A delicate halo. A sacred heart.

Maps cover the mountains. Hello echoes in the sky. The stained glass sun reads Namaste representing church and our greeting to meditation. The moon is a clock, reminding us that time is ticking. This mother embraces a group of children. The powerful, beautiful words in the foreground were discovered in a short book, “Did I Tell You?” A Message to a Son, by Elizabeth Knapp, a gift to my husband from his mother when he was a young man. Portions of her book were graciously used with written consent of the author. Ms. Knapp’s extraordinary and loving books can be found online at https://diditellyou.com/.

I hope this piece will inspire us to challenge our faith, whichever faith that may be. To occasionally put down the distractions of modern times and connect. With her. With faith. With family. With your God.

Every artist would describe the term mixed media differently, but the main idea is that you are mixing more than one medium into one piece of art. For example, one might mix papers, fibers (yarn or fabrics), metals, sand, glass, repurposed or organic materials into a piece, with glue and paint, binding the materials into one creation.

This is how mixed media pertains to my work. I use a variety of new and vintage papers in my work. Then I paint over the top. I feel like the papers add interest, depth and dimensions to my paintings. Every paper is well thought out. I am presently working on two Gustav Klimt inspired desert landscapes. I’ll use those as my example. Klimt had the most glorious use of colors and patterns, among other great talents and intrigue.

First, I prepare my idea in my sketchbook. My sketch is about 3 x 4 inches. Next, I contemplate the image I want to portray. I sketch it on canvas and begin assigning papers to objects or backgrounds. I paint the background. Then using tracing papers, I add my subject matter.

The painting on the left measures 24″ x 30″, and the one on the right measures 20″ x 24″.

Using tracing paper, a window and the Arizona sunshine as my light board, I transfer the images on to the chosen papers. The I carefully cut them out with an x-acto knife.

When I am confident that I like the layout, I adhere the papers to the canvas with Matte Medium (similar to Modge Podge). Sounds easy, but wet papers curl and tear, and air bubbles are the enemy! I have learned many tricks over the years, but it takes patience and commitment!

The next step is paint over the top of the adhered papers (which is my next step with these). I use acrylic paints which are water-based. They can be applied transparent to let the papers show through, or with dry brush technique, or with heavy strokes. Acrylic paint dries quickly in the Arizona climate so choices must be decisive, although mistakes often lead to better ideas. When I am confident that a piece is finished, I apply a gloss varnish, which protects the piece, and gives its colors radiant depth.

That is a general overview on mixed media in my studio. But every artist will have their own description and process. If you remember, check back to see how I finish painting these landscapes.

When I was a kid, one of my favorite challenges was working through a Hidden Pictures puzzle. I had a subscription to Highlights (who remembers Highlights??) and every month when the issue would arrive in the mailbox, I would race off to my room with a pencil and turn the pages until I found the Hidden Pictures puzzle.

The challenge began and the excitement lasted until the last picture was found. And then I had to wait an entire month for the next issue! They were certainly entertaining. They also forced me to look at things from many angles. I think about Hidden Pictures often. You can now purchase the books online. Or you can print them at home for free (a GREAT distraction for anyone/children in quarantine, by the way!). You are never to old to enjoy them. I even sent these puzzles to my father-in-law to keep him entertained. And I keep a book of Hidden Pictures Puzzles in our family room.

My mixed media creations are a lot like Hidden Pictures. I always encourage people to zoom in and look for surprises that develop the stories behind the pieces. It is always fun to point out what is really there. So let’s have a hidden pictures challenge (mine are much easier than the Highlights version!).

I am creating a new series of playing cards based on my home state of Arizona. As I am planning pieces, I fill my sketchbook with ideas and I even do research on my subject. My Cowboy King is the first of the series to celebrate rodeo and the ranchers of Arizona, which are both significant here. So here is your hidden pictures challenge: boots, spurs, brand, bucking bronco, rope, stirrup, wagon wheel, bandana, horseshoes, music, guns, a longhorn, saguaro, and constellations.

My second piece in the series is the Pueblo Queen. I enjoyed reading up on the women of the tribes, who were massive contributors in every way, from hunting and gathering to rearing children and making tools, among many other things. Here are the hidden pictures to discover: map of the plains, American flag, fish, dream catcher, corn, berries, a bear paw, tepees, arrow, fire, kokopelli, feathers, horseshoes, blankets, music.

The Arizona series will soon be growing. We will have a King of the (Golf) Course, a Bikini Queeni, a Jack of the Trails, and a Cowgirl Queen, along with many others. Be sure to look closely when you see them. You just never know what you might find!

Art is not just for sale.  It is also for celebration.

When we lived in Pennsylvania six years ago, I made weekly runs to several local thrift shops.  I would find stacks of perfectly preserved LIFE magazines and Saturday Evening Posts from the 1940’s and 1950’s.  I would pour over these magazines with great intrigue, both from a historical and creative standpoint.  The photography was amazing.  The articles were crisply written.  The advertisements were colorful and representative of that “dress to the nines” and “white picked fence”  and wartime era. 

As I perused one Saturday Evening Post, I came across a fabulous, full page ad for United Airlines.  Most people would just keep flipping, but this 1954 ad was special.  It caught my eye because my brother-in-law had spent his entire career at Continental/United Airlines. 

Tracy began his work with the United (then Continental) airlines after graduating from Texas Tech in 1986.  He successfully moved up the ladder, starting with crew tracking and pilot scheduling, he has overseen manpower, dining, inflight services, cargo, food services, flight operations, labor analysis, operations, planning and efficiency.  Over the course of  these positions and earning an MBA from the University Texas, he advanced from manager to Senior Vice President of Customer Service and then Senior Vice President of  United Express.  His career has not been without exhausting challenges, yet he remained without complaint.  In hard-working 1950’s fashion, Tracy was dedicated to one organization, without chasing dollar signs and higher titles, and without being fortuitous or opportunistic.  I have always held him in high regard because of this.  He was still enormously successful.

I had to preserve this United ad and someday, when Tracy retired, I would work it into a piece of art to commemorate his stellar professional journey.

In June of 2019, and after 32 years with the airline, Tracy made the decision to retire. I pulled out the ad (which had thankfully survived four military moves) and pondered what to do with it?  It sat on the counter and I would walk by it and try to think of what might be interesting, and it took a while.  Why not place it in an airplane window, making the window somewhat vintage, to reflect the 1950’s spirit?

Clearly, I thought of the national and worldwide travel that United has provided.  I also thought of the places Tracy was able to generously explore with his family and friends. Vintage postcard paper became wallpaper.  Papers with compasses and American flags frame the window.  Looking out the window, you see the advertisement on the tarmac. 

The ad itself is a reflective and entertaining work of art.  Zoom in and check it out.  Travelers are dressed in their Sunday best and walking on a red carpet with cameras running.  The ad mentions games, music, meals by world-famous chefs, and white-gloved treatment of your luggage.  Folks did not take their ability to travel lightly.  It was an event and a gift.  For the first time people were more connected.  It was really a celebration.  Wouldn’t it be great to get a glimmer of those days?

This piece is primarily a celebration of Tracy, but also a reminder to be our best and be grateful.   Times have changed.  The world has become more casual, less appreciative, and takes things for granted.  But not my brother-in-law. He is optimistic. He has known for years that hard work and dedication pay off.  He just started a new adventure in retirement. He’s relaxing, playing more golf, dating my sister, watching football, traveling with family, cooking up a storm, and evening brewing some beer.  He is grateful. He has earned it.  His smile says it all.

I am fascinated with cultural traditions, especially those that involve faith and spirit. I think it is wonderful to believe that we can be united with our deceased loved ones, even if just for a moment.

Last October, I was visiting the Tucson Botanical Gardens and came across the most intriguing altar. It was adorned with flowers, candles, photographs, rosaries, crucifixes, sugar skulls, light strands, and bright linens. The gardens had left post-it notes, inviting visitors to leave a note to a deceased loved one. It was near the the time of the Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead. Tucson celebrates this day over an entire weekend, with an All Souls Procession, Procession of Little Angels, a Night of the Living Fest, costumes, and music.

Dia de los Muertos, is celebrated in central and southern Mexico, beginning at midnight on October 31. It is believed that at that exact time, the gates of heaven open and the spirits of all deceased children are reunited with their families for 24 hours. On November 2, the spirits of the adults come down to enjoy the festivities that are prepared for them.

These preparations might include lavish altars made in homes with candles, water, fruits, toys, cocoa, and folk art skulls. I imagine they look like the altar that I saw at the gardens. Sugar skulls also adorn the altars as a sweet treat for the returning spirits to enjoy. Families can spend up to two month’s salary to honor their dead relatives, believing they provide protection, wisdom, and good luck. It is deeply meaningful celebration, often including a procession and party in a cemetery.

The sugars skulls, with their happy smiles and brightly colored decorations represent the departed soul in a positive manner. I thought the skulls were super, so I decided to make one in mixed media. Background papers are playful and add sentiments. I added a cross for faith, a heart for love, two suns shine at the top, candy corn and flowers adorn.

As I created my skull, I could not avoid thinking of my niece, Jordan, who died of cancer in 2014. She was a vibrant teenager, super sociable, full of life, and she loved sugar, just like the rest of us. At her celebration of life (because who wants to call it a funeral?) everyone was asked to wear bright colors. Jordan was born on the 17th day of August. She died on the 17th of December. On the 17th day of the many months since her death, we often run into someone named Jordan, or meet someone that looks like her, or get a reminder of her, in some way shape or form, that tells us her spirit is alive and well in Heaven. 17 has become a lucky and meaningful number for our family. Superstitious or not, the little things like this, and the more spectacular, like Dia de los Muertos, keep us connected.