Mixed Media Morsels & more

In my Mixed Media Morsels YouTube video series for 2020, I am creating a small, fabric-covered traveler’s notebook-style journal, and altering the pages of a checkbook register sewn inside it. The series is called Mixed Media Morsels Motivations, and I’m providing one motivational quote each month so that everyone participating can use it on their journal page. For the month of January, the quote is about losing our fear of being wrong.

You can click the following link to my YouTube video, to see how I created this page: MMM Motivations, Page 1 – Lose Our Fear

We all sometimes experience the fear of doing something the wrong way, or feeling that others will think we are doing it wrong. In creating art, it can be a paralyzing fear – one that has the capability of keeping us from creating at all.

The good news is that we have the power within us to choose to say no to that fear. It can be challenging to do this, especially if you haven’t done it before, but it works! It’s easier than you think to make the decision to not let fear have the upper hand. Art should be a fun, completely enjoyable experience, so if you’re not having fun, or you’re finding that you can’t even begin, take a moment, think positively, and say to yourself, “Fear has no place in my art. I’m going to enjoy this process, no matter how it looks in the end. I have these art supplies and I’m going to have fun playing with them.” If you’re not happy with how it’s looking, don’t forget that in mixed media art it’s all about the layering, so add more layers! Glue a scrap of paper here and there, add a bit of paint, stamping or stenciling, until you like it. Maybe it needs a border or a focal image. You can use stickers, magazine or book images, etc., but whatever you do, just start and don’t give up. The more you practice playing and just enjoying the process, regardless of the outcome, the easier it gets. Remembering that mixed media art is not meant to be perfect helps, too. It’s a messy, fun playtime, and if you think of it in that way, and keep a positive attitude, you may find yourself relaxing a little and enjoying it more.

So, let go of that fear and just play! You’ll be so happy you did.

See you next time!
Cat