Next to the taunting torment of ‘the muse’ who looms with an array of ideas that must be sifted and sorted, it’s choosing a medium that haunts me the most. Sometimes being a mixed media artist is both a blessing and a curse - I am always torn by the multitude of medium possibilities!

A stack of mirrors sit in my studio awaiting experimentation with acrylic glazes.
Winter 2014 was all about Pan Pastels to prepare for Craftsy class #2. I'm still learning about and loving them.
On a recent plein air adventure, I revisited my love of oil paints and the delight of painting outdoors ... even in the middle of snow storm!
A trip to the Art Store reveals a slew of new art supplies just released (and I dislike feeling I’m out of touch with the art material world!); I walk out broke, and although inspired with an array of new toys - all the fresh new materials sit around for some time collecting dust until I have time to play. I splurged on a rainbow of pastel pencils months ago, and I have yet to put them to use!

Ideally, one should have more material than one can possibly cope with. ~Frank AuerbachSurrounding myself with materials and surfaces is a huge source of inspiration (I love materials!) yet it can be conflicting living in the midst of it all, waiting until the right idea is a match for it. *sigh* No doubt, this madness is perhaps genius! I can’t say I intend to change my ways, or could, even if I wanted to! With a passion to experiment and honour any idea with the medium that may be its best voice of expression, I have accepted this conundrum - even if it means that my work may rarely have a visual continuity, especially since medium sometimes influences style. I also know that not everything I do will see the light of day anyway. Playing is liberating! Experimentation is educational! So in this time of being overwhelmed by 'all the possibilities', I calmly remind myself that 'all those possibilities' are waiting for me whenever the muse visits, and in the meantime I find clarity and peace in their midst.Take materials that represent you best and go for it! ~Schar Chappell