What does mixed-media art mean to you?
Mixed media art has given me the freedom to create art without rules. I am passionate about everything I do yet once a rule is applied or it becomes mainstream, I have no interest. Mixed media allows me to incorporate all the fun materials in my studio to create one of a kind art. I use anything from paints, markers, papers, canvas, glues, buttons, fabrics, found objects, photos, things from nature, inks, pencils, crayons and polymer clays, to name a few.
How long have you been a mixed-media artist?
I can’t even remember how long I have been a mixed media artist. I have been an artist all my life. I had a career as a graphic designer for over 15 years and in the past 5 years have returned to being a full time artist. I have been doing art shows since 1990, so I am going to say it was around that time.
How has your art impacted or enhanced your life?
My art is a very large part of my life. I have heard it said that you are not what you do but I beg to differ if one is doing what they love. I become an artist when I am creating and there is no separation and I am always creating art. Ask anyone that has entered into my house, there is no doubt that an artist lives here. I would have to say that there are pros and cons to this life style. I will save that for another time. I feel fortunate that I can vent all of my emotions in my art. My friends and family look forward to receiving gifts of art from me. The negative aspect is that I don’t understand money, yet I am working on the business end of being an artist.
What are a few of the mixed-media supplies you find yourself using most?
I mainly create my mixed media pieces on canvas. I use acrylic paint, sometimes watercolor, watercolor pencils, paper, photos, stencils, ink stamps, gel medium and all kinds of found objects. My kids make fun of me, I don’t throw anything away.
Who are some of your favorite mixed-media artists?
Kelly Rae Roberts has been a big influence on my mixed media art but I sort of came by being a mixed media artist on my own because I have a hard time settling on one art form. I learned more about self esteem and art business than I did mixed media from Kelly Rae, however because of her obvious open heartedness in her e-courses, I have met so many mixed media artists from all over the world. Some famous and some just beginning. I used to have a hard time putting myself in the category of fine artist before I took Kelly Rae’s classes. Watching youtube videos by other artists who are doing very much the same thing as I am doing made me realize that they no nothing more than I know. We tend to seclude ourselves in our studios as artists and forget that there are other like us out there. Kelly Rae affirmed that there is ENOUGH for us all and that sharing our information is a wonderful thing… like sharing recipes.
What makes your mixed-media art unique?
I have 3 series that are distinctly unique from each other. I started my “Flower Series” in 2007 with my son, Christian. They have been described by an Austin professional as “Happy Flowers”. She recently told me that they have stopped having the corporate meetings in the conference room to having them in the “Happy Flower” room, where two of my paintings hang and they are getting through the meetings with much more ease. Love It! My “Red Guitar Series” was started in 2008 when I was commissioned to paint a very large canvas painting for a friend as a gift for her musician husband. I went to a couple of parties at her house and thought to myself that I couldn’t believe that I had painted it. so I then started painting lots and selling lots of them. I live in Austin, Texas, which is know as the “Music Capital of the World.” I have had art shows with this series during the South by Southwest Music Conference. This series speaks to the musicians or those that love music. Then I have a “Luna Chick Series.” I started this series when I embarked on a very deep level soul searching journey. This series started with what I realize now to be a self portrait of myself when I was about 17. A sweet young soul, in search of inspiration and through the process, in turn inspires others with her positive affirmations. I sell most of these to women or women who are buying them for their young daughters. Occasionally my “Luna Chick Series” touches the soul of a man on a deep level. I have been told that they feel like they are being touch with a very deep part of his soul. Some of the highest compliments have been from men. My brother was the first to notice that they are self portraits and a high school friend asked if I would be interested in having my “Luna Chicks” used to promote higher education for women at Luna Community College in New Mexico. Interestingly enough, that is where I lived when I was 17. Most of my “Luna Chicks” have the feel of the Hispanic culture. Not so much religious as grounded and earthy.
Where can we find you?
About Christina Fajardo: Wow how exciting to be a part of Mixed Media May…my birthday is May 12. Yes, a stubborn, Earthy, Taurus bull.
I have made my home in Austin, Texas ~ 78704 for the most part, since 1973. I was born in Amarillo, Texas but spent much of my formative years in New Mexico, on my grandma Rosita’s chile farm. I got married in my twenties and had two children and then went back to art school at thirty-two. After working at an advertising agency in Los Angeles for a short time, I moved back to Austin and became a free-lance artist for two years. I then landed a job at the Austin American-Statesman where I worked as a graphic designer for fifteen years, from 1991 – 2006. I learned many valuable lesson at the newspaper. Creating art is just a small part of being a successful artist. Knowing when a project is finished and meeting deadlines is key to being a success.
These days I live in south-central Austin. I feel blessed to have a home studio where I work with a variety of mediums. I paint, create mixed media art, mosaics, design jewelry and I also do graphic design, creating CD covers, websites, facebook pages and blogs for local businesses on my Macintosh computer.
Currently, my mixed media collages are my passion. I am attracted primarily to the evocative power of colors, shapes and symbols that have traveled through time that bring with them the power to heal. Many of my creative ideas come to me in dreams, listening to music or simply from just taking a walk or having a conversation with a three year old. My artistic expression largely involves reclaiming and recycling discarded finds. Images are drawn sometimes then scanned and enhanced with Photoshop CS3. I then use acrylic paints, watercolor, clay pieces, vintage wallpaper and other collectibles. Each piece has its own narrative. It warms my heart when someone comes to me and says that my art speaks to them. That is my goal, to spark memories and emotion.
Love your girls and all the symbolism in your artwork.