Thank you, all for your encouragement. Hoping my latest works go down well in some exhibitions in June and July. There are so many new products around now. Currently experimenting with 3d watercolour grounds, liquid pencil and sculpture block. Can't seem to paste photos here...do have a look on my gallery. Barbara Taylor-Harris or www.pinterest.com/barbarartist

Think your colours are great mixed media is interesting remember all the great artist pushed the boundries dont always be traditional or we will never see new art. GOOD LUCK Regards Ruth

Trying to add a photo! Did it first time round doesn't seem to let me paste now....any ideas?

Mixed media has such variety and potential. It simply takes an open mind and an intellectual response to the vast variety of material and new media available. I have my second generation 3d pen and have developed a way of using it which gives a traditional impressionist look.

Of course mixed media is fine art! If we don't experiment then we don't progress and learn. How many artists of the past do we now regard as "greats" that were ridiculed or rejected in their time because they experimented? As an amateur artist I am no expert but I am a firm believer that there no rules in art, there are just customs, traditions and boundaries to be pushed. Robert is spot on when he says "move with the times" and those that rejected your work need to heed his advice.

Hi Robert, thanks for the comment. Feeling better as one of the rejected paintings was hung in an exhibition for another art society which did accept me! And it sold for hundreds on the preview so feeling quite vindicated! So have continued to work with the 3d pen technology and now submitted five for an exhibition in Spain....will be interesting to see how they go down and completed a series for my next exhibition and one will be going on exhibition for a month in an Open studio exhibition. It's interesting because it looks almost like a traditional painting!.... See it on my mixed media gallery

Well, that depends on your creative approach. Mixed media covers all sorts from collage right through to using modelling paste and additives to your support even before you begin. Additives can also be added to the paint as you progress. many are found in watercolour and acrylic these days - especially fine, medium and texture gels. Personally (and as others do) I recognise there is real 'craft' in using them for distinctive fine art outcome. I think you are right to find new avenues for your work Barbara. Its interesting how even some of the so called 'traditionalists' who have made their name with such with their art (to include RA's are now experimenting with mixed media. we move with the times or we don't move at all!

Lovely the colours are beautiful...Hubby works for the Gov here in Western Australia and boy do they whine...still like you he has a good crew to work with and we all have many laughs at the social club outings...all the more laughs because we don't have to pay for it

In a word...yes. your uprights are well just that and those arches look good too..