Art at Home: Mixed-media Portraits

11.05.2025
A detail of Radcliffe Bailey's multi-media work "7 Steps." This large wall-hung work features a ground of overlapping asbestos-style shingles collaged with church fans, which have been painted over with encaustic in shades of pale green and yellow. On top of the encaustic are scroll-like shapes that resemble brands. In the center of the work is a shadow box that includes a tin-type photograph of two children and a bouquet of dried flowers. On the right of the work is a wooden ladder with the number 7 painted on its top and 7 small tea lights resting on the top.

Our last Family Day, in February, celebrated Black History Month by remembering the legacy of American painter Radcliffe Bailey, who died last year. We also explored mixed-media works of art by African American artists in our permanent collection.

Mixed-media art is made by using more than one material in a single work of art. Bailey was a contemporary artist known for his mixed-media works of art that explore African American history. He often created art from found materials that had historical and personal importance to him, such as traditional African sculpture and tintype photographs of his ancestors.

Now it is your turn to make your own mixed-media portrait.

You will need the following supplies:
  • large piece of white paper
  • photograph of you or a family member
  • glue
  • scissors
  • paint, markers or crayons
  • miscellaneous art supplies, such as magazines, yarn, beads, etc.
Directions:
  1. Place the white paper on a clean, flat surface.
  2. Glue a photograph of yourself or family member in the middle of the paper. Choose a favorite photo or an image that’s important to you.
  3. Decorate the space around your photo with colors, words or symbols that represent you. If someone in the future found this artwork, what would they discover about
  4. Use different materials to add texture and dimension to your portrait.

 

Our next Family Day is Saturday, March 16.
Come have fun with us!