Layers Upon Layers: Mixed Media Art

Artist Profile: Chris Tessnear

by Cyndi on July 19th, 2007

Written all over her face,
beeswax and crayon collage

Artist: Chris Tessnear
Business name: Creative Inspirations
Location: Alexis, North Carolina

Websites & Blogs:
Creative Inspirations
ATC Swapland blog

Gaston County Art Guild
Artella Words & Art/ Chris Tessnear
Flickr album

Winter Moon, watercolor

Your work has evolved quite a bit, Chris. How do you it?
My work is ever-changing, beginning as a copy and color book artist, then watercolorist and now I do mixed media. I still love watercolor and teach it from time to time for local groups, but I am so excited by the new mixed media techniques in collage and altered art and books. I am constantly trying new things and being inspired by all the wonderful artists living their passions. Since everything inspires me; other artists, nature, photography and my faith, Creative Inspirations seemed to be the appropriate title for my efforts.

What is your creative process like?
Ideas and creative projects are constantly in my mind, even though I often have problems with time, energy and resources to execute them all. I journal daily, writing and/or collaging, and sketching. Most of the time, I just pick up a brush, the scissors and glue or a pencil, and start. I have a general idea where I’m going with the project, but nothing exact. I don’t do too many studies first, except when I’m really unsure of what I am doing. Too much of the preliminary stuff often gets the real energy and then there is none left to for the final project. If I just jump in and start I find it more exhilarating and true to the concept, which of course shows in the end.

I also teach children at a local art school part time and they really inspire me to work and try new things and abandon a fear of the blank surface. Children readily admit to being artists and don’t care what others think of their attempts. They just put brush to paper and let their own intuitive creativity come out to play. I think Picasso said it best: “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”

I do try to make some kind of art everyday, even if it’s just a quick sketch, an Artist Trading Card or quick magazine collage in my journal. If you keep the muse busy, you will never be left without ideas.

Virginia Woolf Pocket Book Reader,
altered purse published in Somerset Studio, March April 2007

What kind of training did you have which helped you achieve your current level of artistry?
Crafty and creative since childhood, I guess it was purely hobby level until the 1990s when I attended a local art class and really began to study, experiment and grow. I did take a correspondence art class in high school but never really studied art principles before that. A class, taught by a good friend, really brought out my passion for art making, especially watercolors. I painted almost every day and began to join local art groups and enter shows. I also had the grand opportunity to help open a non profit art gallery with two other artists and that was my best education. I was immersed in great art and new ideas constantly. Looking at ALL art is a wonderful way to learn what works and what doesn’t.

My degree is in Elementary Education, but I have taken several classes and workshops locally. Plus I read art books and magazines voraciously. I am always learning new techniques to add to my repertoire.

Seedy Ladies, collage

Is there a tool or material that you can’t imagine living without?
Art supplies and tools are addictive and I want them all but I really rely a lot on gel medium. It’s a wonderful adhesive and glaze for lots of different art styles but then there’s paint, brushes, papers, scissors, packing tape, copiers, my computer, my camera and scraps and bits that other people would simply throw away as trash.

What inspires you to create?
Everything truly does inspire me: nature, other art, children’s art, books, my faith, photography. An artist always keeps their eyes open and looking for something new in something familiar.

Christine, altered book pages

What inspires you to keep going when the work gets frustrating or tough?
A dear friend of mine, who is 98, legally blind and still painting and teaching piano inspires me to keep at it when I ask myself, “Why am I doing this?” My husband inspires me when I ask him if I’m wasting my time and his money and he has never once said “yes”. Once he even gave me his bonus to use for my art. That spoke volumes. My adult son inspires me to keep making art and seeking my dreams. Other friends and artists encourage me by asking for answers, ideas and favors. There are days I think about quitting but then there’s the latest project just waiting for me to start or finish. Always keep something on your workspace and you’ll never have a need to think about stopping.

Working in series keeps you thinking of more and more to add to a theme or group of works. I have also had several works published in Somerset Studio publications over the past year and that has really validated my efforts to keep making art.

What is your best piece of advice for those who would like to rise in their level of artistry?
Read the previous answer again. Just keep at it. Push yourself to try new things and only compete with yourself. We all dream of big shows and sales but, when it comes down to it, you really make it for yourself and continue to grow realizing your progress and enjoying the process of discovery. Even if it’s only 5 minutes a day, MAKE ART! Even bad art leads to better art.

What takes up the majority of your time besides your art?
Being a wife of 27 years to my soul mate, a mother to a grown son out on his own, a teacher, church member and volunteer, doing photography, prayer and Bible study, watching movies and reading fill the rest of my days.

Prayer Warrior, pastels

What are your favorite comfort items?
Grilled cheese sandwiches, good music (jazz, pop, Christian), photography, Marry Your Muse by Jan Phillips and other great art books, walking my street or in the woods, journaling, spending time with family and friends, praying and meditating on scriptures from the Bible…all these things comfort me and feed my soul and creative spirit.

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POSTED IN: Artist Profiles, Book Arts, Business tips, Collage, Creativity, Mixed Media, Paper