Mixed Media 

WICKED FAST-

 

For my senior thesis at Marist University, I completed an independent study project that allowed complete creative freedom in choosing both the category and direction of my work. As a Graphic Design major, I intentionally chose to step outside the boundaries of my typical design-based projects and pursue a mixed media piece. During the second semester of my junior year, I took a mixed media course and immediately connected with the flexibility and expressive potential of the medium. That experience inspired me to incorporate mixed media into my senior thesis. After extensive planning, I decided to work on a large wooden canvas measuring 4 feet by 3 feet, an ambitious scale that pushed me far beyond my comfort zone and one I had never attempted before. While I wanted to challenge myself through scale and concept, I also made a deliberate choice to work with a medium I was already familiar with. Given the limited timeframe of one semester, there was little room for experimentation or error, so relying on materials and techniques I knew would allow me to focus on execution and refinement. The first step of the process involved coating the wooden surface with glue to ensure proper adhesion for the flexible acrylic modeling paste.

 

Once prepared, I applied a full gallon of modeling paste using large painting knives and a variety of textures to create the appearance of winding snow trails. Each trail was layered with heavy texture, resulting in dynamic movement across the surface. Due to the thickness of the paste, the piece required approximately two weeks to fully dry before I could continue.

Once the surface was ready, I began planning the figures. I created 20 different skiing and snowboarding poses and drew them onto transfer paper. This method allowed me to efficiently transfer the figures onto the canvas rather than hand-drawing 60–70 individual skiers. The idea was inspired by techniques I learned in my printmaking class, where transfer paper was used to move designs onto linoleum blocks for linocut printing.

 

After transferring the figures, I painted each skier using acrylic paint. I chose acrylics for their fast-drying properties, which allowed me to work efficiently and maintain a consistent pace. My goal was to paint at least 10 skiers per night, ensuring steady progress throughout the semester. This project taught me how my perceived weaknesses, such as working at a large scale and managing time-intensive processes, could transform into strengths. It pushed me to discover new creative limits and expanded my confidence as an artist. The piece was created entirely in my apartment and later transported to the Marist Art Gallery, where it was installed as part of the senior thesis exhibition. I successfully installed the work myself, and it was later critiqued by a professional graphic design critic. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Overall, this project was both challenging and deeply rewarding. It allowed me to step outside my comfort zone while still grounding myself in a familiar medium, resulting in a body of work that reflects both personal growth and artistic exploration.