Gnarl the Gnoll

Mixed media tends to refer to a work of visual art that combines various traditionally distinct visual art media. For example, a work on canvas that combines paint, ink, and collage could properly be called a "mixed media" work. When creating a painted or photographed work using mixed media it is important to choose the layers carefully and allow enough drying time between the layers to ensure the final work will have integrity. If many different media are used it is equally important to choose a sturdy foundation upon which the different layers are imposed. Many interesting effects can be achieved by using mixed media. Often, found objects are used in conjunction with traditional artist media, such as paints and graphite, to express a meaning in the everyday life. In this manner, many different elements of art become more flexible than with traditional artist media. Melita Curphy aka MissMonster is a freelance artist known for her toy/ apparel design and monster themed fine art. Her work varies from gouache and acrylic paintings, to cast plastic, plush, sculpey, leather and wood to the variety of materials used for my costumes, dolls and sculpture. Curphy attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago ’96-2000 after graduating from the Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts in California, and taught illustration techniques for four semesters at a community college in Texas, leaving to work on the animated film A Scanner Darkly in Austin, Texas. After moving back up to Chicago, she worked as a graphic designer at Motorola. Office life was not her cup of tea, so in March 2008, she began freelancing full-time. Things have been going strong since thanks to many supportive, wonderful people who actually pay her to make monsters for them. Visit Melita's website: www.missmonster.com