The term “mixed media” is a massive understatement for the work of American artist Kaylee Dalton. You’re looking at paint, wax, fabric, bits of watercolor paintings, gouache, and probably a bunch of other stuff! I just discovered Kaylee’s work a few months ago, and yes, I was an instant fan. Listen right up there under “Midnight Lush No.5”, or you can subscribe on iTunes.
First… the way I found Kaylee’s work? She submitted to the issue of Create Magazine that I curated. Not only did I select her work for the issue, I also chose her for the cover:
Gorgeous!
So, I mentioned that I basically stopped in my tracks and wrote about her the second I saw her submission – here are a few of the encaustic monotype / mixed media pieces I included in that post:
Oh my word, I love them all. As you can see, I had a really hard time deciding if my faves were on the white Rives BFK paper, or the black Stonehenge… and I still don’t know!?
Next, Kaylee’s encaustic paintings on peg board panels. This is what she was working on up until last year:
You can see the seeds {pun absolutely intended} for the work she’s doing now, yes?
Ooh, and if I wasn’t having a hard enough time deciding between the black / white paper backgrounds, she recently started playing with Kraft paper … or in her words, coffee ice cream paper:
Mmmm, coffee ice cream indeed! See, wouldn’t ALL of her new work be gorgeous as fabric? Hey Gucci, I’m talking to you!
And finally, Kaylee in her studio and one lovely work in progress {both found on her Instagram feed}:
Beautiful. Thanks so much to Kaylee for coming on the podcast … gushing aside, I really do think there are exciting things in her future! Thank you to Saatchi Art for supporting the episode, and thanks to you for listening. There will be more Art For Your Ear next weekend.
Other links:
- Kaylee on Instagram
- Create! Magazine
- Ball State University, Indiana
- Kris Knight, Artist
- Gucci
- Frank Stella, Artist
- “Kitchen Nightmares”
- Milk Bar Bakery, New York
ps. I just got a message from Caitlin McDonagh, and she suggested Krylon Archival Varnish spray for sealing work. I’m going to try it this afternoon! – Thanks Caitlin
Kaylee’s process is so fascinating. really enjoyed this ep. thanks!
I very much enjoyed this episode and adore Kaylee’s work. The line, the texture, the color. Swoon! I was particularly interested in your conversation about sealing work. I did mixed media collage on cradled panels for years. I never wanted to seal them for the same reasons you didn’t, but eventually I started using Krylon Archival Varnish in satin. Unfortunately I have found that within a few years, the paper and even ballpoint pen I used have faded, even with the Krylon. I’m back to framing, which I HATE! (You will probably have better luck with it Danielle, as you’re using a lot less paper elements in your work.)Good luck!
ah, i just bought the krylon yesterday and tried it on a test piece… i like it so far! yeah, i might end up framing again one day, but i’m gonna try this for now.
i love the process (said in the canadian way) talk about resins and buckling and stuff.
Oh yes! Love these. Especially on the coffee toned paper. Cause what’s better than coffee AND art!
exactly!
Oh yes! I love love love paper. I glue mine to panel with matte medium and then spray varnish with Golden in Gloss. The gloss really brings out the color and Ive never had an issue with discoloring or pulling up of paper. I recently invested in a good mask and eye protection so I would say if you go spray definitely get that too. 🙂
Lovely lovely works. So beautiful and mysterious. I love watercolor collage! So fabulous to meet someone working in this way. yay!