Surrounded By Death

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.Up until I was 21 years old, I didn’t care about the Internet. But now, 15 years later, I can pretty much credit the Internet with everything leading up to this article. I tried traditional routes of applying for art jobs back in the mid 90’s. I sent out portfolios and made multiple attempts at getting my comics published, but those only led to rejection. Around that time I started blindly experimenting with the Internet out of boredom and realized immediately that I could anonymously spread around my art on every message board and social networking site without having to face the fear of rejection because I wasn’t trying to really DO anything with my art. I just wanted people to see it in hopes of getting some feedback, even if that feedback was critical and hateful…which it was. But it was helpful. Continuing to jump on as many social networking sites as they appeared, and disciplining myself to actually UTILIZE them was, for me, the most important thing I did in establishing the art career that I have now. So when I got asked by Juxtapoz to curate this Halloween issue, and to additionally be featured and interviewed for it,Hours: Wed - Sun: 11 AM - 6 PM Mon & Tues: ClosedWho or what is INLE? In 1974, Richard Adam's wrote the beloved classic "Watership Down". It is a tale about overcoming the obstacles of life that try to beat you into submission and coming out on top, told through the unlikely embodiment of rabbits. Upon reading the book at a young age, one particular thread stood out to me. The story of "The Black Rabbit of Inle". It was on page 280 of this book that my Grandfather had gotten for me on a road trip that the story of Inle´ unfolds. The fear he induced in the rabbits who told tales of him is not much unlike our own fears of death and what is unknown. I always questioned was their fear based upon him or the inevitability of their own demise, and was it something to fear or welcome after a long life lived? With this book began my over 24 year obsession with using rabbits as a tool in my art. Upon relating my memories of this book with some artist friends of mine, I wasn't surprised to find they had similar attachments to the story and subsequent movie and that it too was a huge influence on