The Warrior by Lisa L. Cyr , Mixed Media Painting 24″ x 12” x 2” (art) with 48″ x 25” x 6” (frame)

The three-dimensional landscape captivates an audience with its engaging constructs, intriguing enclosures, tactile surfaces and custom add-ons, where the sculptural projection adds not only depth and dimension but also meaning to the work. My mixed-media work entited The Warrior features many two-dimensional and three-dimensional painting techniques. Bas-relief and gold-infused details abound, working in tandem with the more painted areas of the figure. The entire collar and lower bodice are created using a series of custom textures that were built up in multiple layers using molding paste and gel medium.

This lower bodice area is created using matte gel medium and several debossing techniques.

This are of relief is built up in layers on Claybord using molding paste and custom die-cut stencils that I created.

Working in relief, I began by texturizing the working surface, using various relief techniques. The chest plate structure is created using a debossing technique, custom stencils that I create myself, gesso, molding paste and gel medium. Lots of layering is done on the surface of this Claybord panel!

The registration of relief elements is tight and critical to maintaining the overall symmetry of the piece. There is very little room for error! It is also quite a challenge to maintain the illusion of depth that is created by painting when areas of bas-relief thread throughout the piece. You don’t ever want a three-dimensional effect to cancel out a two-dimensional one. Check out just some of the details above.

The work also has an ornate framing structure. Because of the complexity, I worked with my husband, illustrator and animator Christopher Short, who came up with a 3D digital model to figure out how we would be able to incorporate the art with the design. The 3D environment not only allowed us to try different things but also assisted in the purchasing and cutting of the wood to the appropriate size and shape. Although we used parts of an existing construct, we had a lot of alterations, both aestheticaly and structurally, to do to make it work for the painting. Check out the finished framework in the video below!

 

I have been very busy working on a series of mixed-media paintings for my visual novel. In my mixed-media painting entitled The Warrior, I portray a female figure in a position of strength. She is a fighter of sorts and is wearing the armor of a fighter prepared for battle. Within the armor are details decorated with leaves and floral accents. Throughout my work, the aspect of nature, especially leaves, is always present, as the change of the leaves signifies different seasons within one’s life.

Throughout the piece, there is a lot of symbolism and metaphor. The golden headpiece is made of two wingless dragons. In Asian mythology, dragons without wings are seen as guardians and protectors of one’s treasure. In this particular piece, the treasure is oneself and the battle is internal. The two dragons are connected by a bridge at the top which straddles both the left and the right hemispheres of the brain. Creativity and intellect come together as a strong force, a superpower. Throughout history and mythology, bridges have become known as symbols for overcoming obstacles. In this circumstance, the warrior is using her full potential to fight her demons. At the foundation, the bridge boasts red ruby gems. The gem of all gems, rubies represent love, courage and a zest for the authentic life.

If you are interested in learning more about working in relief on the painted surface, working in experimental mixed-media techniques or creative storytelling in sketchbooks and journals, check out my online workshops below! If you would like to be notified for future workshops, sign up for my mail list HERE!

WORKING IN RELIEF ON THE PAINTED SURFACE!
Instructor: Lisa L. Cyr

This video-driven workshop explores bas-relief techniques onto the painted surface. Students will have private access to four high-definition videos through online streaming. In the first video, the artist demonstrates working in various gel and fluid mediums to build texture onto the painted surface. She also shows how to employ pastes, lava gel, gel pens, matter painting and crackle texture to the dimensional surface in layers. In the second video, the artist demonstrates the sculptural application of various cloth and trim to the working surface to create a unique topography. In addition, she will show how bas-relief techniques can be used to make a custom collagraph plate for embossing watercolor paper that can later be painted in acrylics. In the third video, the artist employs assemblage accents, creates flexible accents from molds, incorporates unique sculptural details and applies custom textures onto the surfaces of a unique construct. The final video in the series demonstrates how to create unique faux finishes onto assemblage accents.

In addition to the unique video access, Live Group Chats with the artist will be conducted every other Saturday to discuss each participant’s work that has been created in relief, as a result of the insights and techniques gained from watching the videos!

Required: Computer with video and audio, access to the web and a gmail account

REGISTER HERE: The Institute of Art & Design at New England College

Fall 2020 Saturday sessions
8 weeks
Sept 19 to Nov 7, 2020

Live Group Chats: 10:00am to 12:30 EST online video conferencing, every other Saturday
(4 Videos and 4 Live Chats)

I also have two other online workshops that may be of interest. Check them out!

 

MIXED MEDIA MENTORSHIP ONLINE
Instructor: Lisa L. Cyr

 

Throughout the online class, artists will work in the comfort of their own studios on mixed-media painting and drawing projects at a pace they feel comfortable with. The instructor will provide weekly assistance and guidance through live group chats. Discussions regarding artistic growth and development, nurturing the creative spirit, developing personal content, embracing a multidisciplinary mindset and creating message-driven art will also be included as a way to assist artists on their own creative path.

In addition, this exciting online workshop will provide private access to the instructor’s Mixed Media Masterclass blog, which covers a variety of topics from professional business development and promotional strategies to studio practices, experimental and traditional painting techniques as well as a vast array of inspirational artistic resources. This online workshop is for intermediate and advanced artists.

Required: Computer with video and audio, access to the web and a gmail account

REGISTER HERE:

Fall 2020 Saturday sessions
8 weeks
Sept 19 to Nov 7, 2020
Live Group Chats: 10:00am to 12:30pm EST online online video conferencing

 

JUST IMAGINE: Creative Storytelling in Sketchbooks + Journals
Instructor: Lisa L. Cyr

“Stories come to me unbidden, flowing out in a dream-like stream of consciousness.
Guided by my intuition, I begin to paint, further straddling the edge between fantasy and reality.”

Juliette’s Song
11″ x 22.75”
sequential mixed-media gatefold series on paper

 

This exciting online workshop will focus on the development of personal content through the exploration of visual storytelling and creative writing, establishing a portal to the world within. Journalistic writing as well as drawing and painting inside handmade and custom-altered books with engaging layouts and formats, unique bindings, clever folds, intriguing die-cuts and visually stimulating add-ons will be shown and demonstrated. In addition, the online workshop will cover creative writing techniques, sequential storytelling, artistic book design and layout, experimental typography and unconventional approaches to drawing and painting. Both two-dimensional and three-dimensional mixed-media techniques will be explored in interesting combinations to enhance creative exploration, providing an interesting array of possibilities for artists and creative writers.

This online workshop will also provide private access to the instructor’s blog JUST IMAGINE: Creative Storytelling in Sketchbooks + Journals, which contains video content as well as a vast array of inspirational artistic resources. This online workshop is for creative writers and artists of all levels.

Required: Computer with video and audio, access to the web and a gmail account

REGISTER HERE:The Institute of Art & Design at New England College

Fall 2020 Saturday sessions
8 weeks
Sept 19 to Nov 7, 2020

Live Group Chats: 1:30pm to 4:00pm EST online video conferencing

© 2020 Lisa L. Cyr, Cyr Studio LLC, all rights reserved.