Mixed Media Inspired Artists in two exhibitions in May [photos]

"Red Hot," a 16- by 20-inch work by Sandra Paynter Washburn is on view at Art Creations.
"Red Hot," a 16- by 20-inch work by Sandra Paynter Washburn is on view at Art Creations.

If you go

Mixed Media Inspired Artists have two exhibitions ongoing.› Lillie Mae Gallery inside Art Creations at Hamilton Place, 7351 Commons Blvd. Works on view through Friday, May 19. For more information: 423-531-7606, www.art-creations.com.› Creative Arts Guild, 520 W. Waugh St., Dalton, Ga. Works on view through Sunday, May 21. Reception, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, May 5. For more information: 706-278-0168, www.creativeartsguild.org.

Members of Mixed Media Inspired Artists have doubled up on their shows this spring.

"Normally, it doesn't happen that we overlap, but this year our shows are overlapping quite a bit," says MMIA member Janice Kindred.

Their first of the season is the debut exhibit in the newly opened Lillie Mae Gallery at Art Creations at Hamilton Place.

The show was originally scheduled to run through Friday, May 5, but Jessica Dumitru, whose family owns Art Creations, says she expects to give the exhibition a two-week extension, through Friday, May 19.

"Because it's our first show, I'm being a little bit more lenient on the dates," she says. "Plus their work is so fabulous."

The artists meet once a week at Art Creations for group classes taught by MMIA founder Sandra Paynter Washburn, so having them christen the new gallery was a natural choice, Dumitru says. The MMIA works are especially dynamic in the space, which is named for Dumitru's paternal grandmother, Lillie Mae Mines.

"The paintings just pop," she says. "You can't help but stare at them when you come in and, hopefully, take them home."

The second show is underway at Creative Arts Guild in Dalton, Ga. Unique to this show are collaborative works done on 12- by 12-inch canvases. With these works, each painter had input from a fellow artist.

"By pairing up with each other, we have combined our styles, viewpoints and color approaches," Kindred explains. "Although some members found this exercise difficult, we've now had the experience of walking in our sister's shoes. By challenging ourselves in this manner, we've created some unusual, one-of-a-kind pieces."

The MMIA artists work as layerists, using additive and subtractive techniques to build surface imagery, texture and pattern, Kindred says. The artists work intuitively, yet remain mindful of composition, color theory and other art elements to complete their two- and three-dimensional pieces.

The group has additional shows planned at the North River Civic Center in Hixson and The Arts Center in Athens, Tenn.

Kindred says closely scheduled shows have the potential to stress the artists, but it helps that the MMIA members have been together about two years now "so most of the artists do have a group of paintings they can choose from. Normally we don't have to paint per show."

Still, most of the artists want to display their newer works to show how their style has developed.

"Over time, when you look back at your paintings from the previous time, you find you've changed so much as an artist, you do want to use your new techniques," Kindred says.

The 14 artists work in a contemporary style using acrylic as the primary medium, often incorporating mixed media and collage elements into their pieces.

Kindred says they self-critique and jury each piece before exhibiting works.

"It's making sure the painting has good composition, that we're using line correctly, that we have balance in our paintings. That's what we're looking for, to make sure our art is a good representation of Mixed Media Inspired Artists."

Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.

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