Ask Anissa: What is Mixed Media and Collage Arts?

Question: I have heard a great deal about Mixed Media and Collage Arts, and I wondered if you could tell me more about this art/craft form and where I can find classes or places to learn more?  Also, are there online shops that sell these art supplies? Adrienne T., Pheonix, AZ

Answer: The Wikipedia defenition of Mixed Media is: Mixed media tends to refer to a work of visual art that combines various traditionally distinct visual art media. Wikipedia doesn't have a defenition of Collage Art, but, I did put in a request.  My defenition of Collage Arts is: 

Collage art is a similar term as mixed media. Collage art is different in the sense that it is a collage and not just a mixed media art form. Collage art is being used in many ways such as in ATC's (Artist Trading Cards), shadow boxes, altered books, etc. Many collage artists use similar art forms as mixed media. 

My first introduction into mixed media and collage arts was through my interest in Artist Trading Cards (ATC's). I also have fallen in love with the Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine.  I run to the grocery store every other month to pick up the latest edition.  There are several places to look online for project, information, and supplies and I will list them below, but one thing to do when you first start is to really pour over as much information as you can and if you have any local shops that carry the artwork of local artists you should be sure to stop by those shops on a refular basis for ideas and you may also be able to request a class or meeting with the artist (s).

Check out these online and offline resources:

For online classes, information, videos, and Retreats:

Anna Maria Horner

Altered Abbey

Claudine Hellmuth

Cloth, Paper, Scissors Magazine

CCPVideos

Art and Soul Retreat 

 

Shops/Suppliers of Mixed Media and Collage Art Materials:

Queens of Collage

Homestead Quilters

Tuscan Rose

Anima Designs

arts collage arts Crafts mixed media