~*~ Mixed Media May ~*~ Jill Lambert ~*~

What does mixed-media art mean to you?

To me mixed media art means everything and anything can be used to create an art piece – no rules! I especially like using something meaningful like pieces of a letter written from someone as part of the background or say petals on a flower of a painting, maybe a ticket stub from a concert or jewel from someone’s necklace to incorporate personality, memories or sentimentality. Creating a mixed media piece to me also adds more depth, texture and interest to my paintings as well.

How long have you been a mixed-media artist?

I have probably been a mixed media artist for about two years now. When I first starting painting I used watercolors, then switched to acrylics then found Kelly Rae Roberts book Taking Flight and was introduced to using embellishments, patterned papers, etc. and that has really added an element of fun into my creating.

How has your art impacted or enhanced your life?

Wow–I could probably write a book about this question, but I’ll try not to make it that long! Shortly after having my daughter 11 years ago, I found out I had lupus which is an autoimmune disease. About three years ago I found out the lupus was affecting my kidneys and I needed chemotherapy treatment before the disease got any worse. While I was on a leave from work during this treatment I did a lot of soul searching as well as discovering blogs and other artists. I starting creating art with a passion that overtook me. It made me realize that being in the environment I was, teaching middle school, was not the right place for me. I made the decision to leave teaching, work part-time and purse art-making as much as possible. In turn, my kidney disease is now in remission, and I believe I owe it to following my heart, leaving teaching and putting art as a priority in my life. I believe it truly is healing me, body and soul.

What are a few of the mixed-media supplies you find yourself using most?

First on my list of favorite supplies has to be pages and words from old books as well as pretty patterned papers used as collage. I also enjoy adding embellishments such as stickers, rub-ons, jewels and handwritten papers I’ve written poems or sayings on.

Who are some of your favorite mixed-media artists?

• Melody Ross of Brave Girls Club – her work is so vibrant, colorful, unique, inspiring and so full of interest because of her use of layers, fabrics, paints, embellishments, etc.;
• Catina Jane Arts – love her colors, whimsy and inspiration;
• Two artist friends who have the shop 3 Wishes Creations – playful, colorful and inspiring work!;
• Lori Portka – she brings “happiness through art”

What makes your mixed-media art unique?

My mixed media art is unique because it comes from my heart and it is based on my love of the simple things in life and showing gratitude for the people that mean so much to me. It has a message of love, encouragement to follow your dreams and to savor the moment and those that having special meaning in your life. It’s also unique because it’s vibrant, vivid and whimsical as well.

Where can we find you?

• You can find me at my blog called “This Moment”
• my Etsy shop
• my Facebook page

About Jill Lambert: I’m a self-taught artist who remembers watching my grandpa paint in his basement studio when I was four-years-old. Obviously they aren’t very vivid memories but they are there and being there with him gave me the desire to be an artist myself one day. Life got in the way, however and I became a middle school English teacher instead. Two years ago I decided I needed to go back to that dream of creating and am doing so while working part-time as a library aide in the school I previously taught in. Deciding to make this huge decision and not follow the “practical” path of teaching has turned my world upside down but it is so worth it because I am a happier person who is following her dream which is worth more than a “practical” job that wasn’t fulfilling my soul.