Layers Upon Layers: Mixed Media Art

Artist Profile: Karen Campbell

by Cyndi on July 26th, 2007

Spiritus Vocis

Artist: Karen Campbell
Location: Thornton, CO

Website & Blog:
Karen’s Altered Dreamz blog
Webshots photo album

Lizard Lair

How do you describe your work, Karen?
When I first started doing altered books and mixed media work everything had to have a theme. I did Egyptian … I dabbled with vintage themes … I did ocean/beach type themes. I couldn’t get started until I had some kind of boundary set on my imagination.

I gravitate toward a grungy graffiti-like look. I revel in layers and layers; there’s something about the story each layer tells when you see the whole composition. I am also drawn to vintage imagery and relics of the past, but I like almost every style and seem determined to try them all…LOL!

I’ve pursued one form of artistic endeavor or another my whole life, but mixed media work is where I feel my true calling is and one I never tire of. My mixed media work began with altered books; I would get these great artistic visions of books I wanted to, but was unable to find any book that fit exactly the bill of what I wanted to alter, so I branched out to bookmaking, so I could do my own art books and journals. Assemblages is another love that I have.

ABC Discovery

What is your creative process like?
My creative process is more of a journey. I knew almost nothing about collage or mixed-media work when I started doing altered art. Putting together a simple collage was a challenge and I pre-planned things down to the last detail.

In 2005 I joined a journal round robin with a group called Calendargirlz where we altered weekly engagement calendars. With an average of 8 pages per month to alter, I realized I’d never be able to keep up if I tried to meticulously plan out every page. I learned to jump in altering the page as soon as my first inspiration struck not knowing what the final destination would be, but following my instincts and finding a way to make a piece work.

I have always loved the soulful work I see other artists doing, but there was no how-to manual that told me just how to make that happen. Artist friend Angie Platten pointed out that sometimes I overwork my pieces and keep adding more layers and paint until I get that “pretty” all-is-well look. She advised me to try leaving my art with that gritty uncomfortable feeling and just let it be what it is … and that has made a huge difference. All the dots suddenly connected for me and my assemblage pieces and journal pages especially seem to come from my soul now.

I’m a sloppy artist and very reluctant to clean up my art space. I used to have all my collage papers and ephemera sorted into neat little files … and I rarely made art. I was on an image hunt one day and dumped all my files into a big box out of sheer desperation and magic started to happen. There is something about sorting through a big pile of assorted papers that makes things happen … maybe because my mind is pre-occupied with the tedium of sorting and organizing and the creative side is allowed to roam wild and free. I make art every day and I stop and organize only when I’ve run out of workspace or my messy piles are more of a hindrance than a help.

I’m not good at stop-and-go art. I try to work fast … it helps keep the inner critic at bay. When things start going badly I very rarely walk away and take that break. My brain doesn’t like to let go of problems, so I just keep adding layers until I get something I like.

Soft Sensibilities

What kind of training did you have which helped you achieve your current level of artistry?
I have no formal art training. I didn’t even take art in high school, because I was terrified of having to do a self-portrait :)

My first exposure to multi-media work was through the Altered Books yahoo group. I didn’t know what gel medium was … I didn’t know how to use it, but everyone said I had to have it, so I bought it … and then I played and experimented. When I grew bored with that I bought molding paste and tar gel and a whole world of textured opened up for me.

My basic skills stemmed from gleaning as much how-to information as possible from mixed media articles and tutorials and then experimenting. I am also fortunate to be close to a local art store called the Artists Nook where I’ve been able to take classes with some fabulous mixed media artists.

Covert Thy Tender Words

What inspires you to create?
I am inspired by almost everything around me. In fact … creativity and inspiration are hard for me to turn off long enough for me to eat and sleep sometimes. I’m inspired by colors … by what other artists are doing. I feel a strong connection to my ancestors, so anything historical or of times forgotten pulls me in. I especially love trying to recreate thick crusty textures and am fascinate with all the embossing and textures that can be achieved with metal.

I am also a facilitator for a local book arts/mixed media group full of wonderfully creative people. Their creativity and the amount of inspiration I get from them never ceases to amaze me.

What inspires you to keep going when the work gets frustrating or tough?
It’s hard for me to set down a piece that I don’t feel is working. Very seldom do I walk away. I just keep plugging away adding more layers until magic happens.

Muse Rust Purse

What is your best piece of advice for those who would like to rise in their level of artistry?
Don’t be afraid to experiment or to fail, because you won’t. Working out the issues with an undesirable piece is where you learn what works; problem solving is essential in anything you do, but learning how to work through problems in your art gives you the courage to keep moving forward and expand your artistic world. Do art every day; you will be amazed at how much your work can grow and change in a year by doing art every day. Art fills my soul and I can’t imagine not doing something every single day … even if only painting backgrounds.

What takes up the majority of your time besides your art?
Outside of my art, I work full-time for a local transit agency. Technically I have an administration position, but I am sort of the jack-of-all trades in my department. I wear several hats at work, but spend a lot of time managing data. That sounds really boring, but I am good at it and I love the constant challenges. I tend to get in trouble when I am bored … LOL

Sunflower Musings

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