Louise Muzio is a mixed media artist and maker with a passion for art journaling and upcycling.
She loves to work with vintage ephemera and fabrics with mixed media as well as finding new creative uses for discarded things.
When she is not sleeves up with paint, paper & fabric scraps you will find her trawling thrift stores and charity shops for items to upcycle with creative new uses.
She loves to share her work on Instagram @maycontainpaper and has recently launched her first online course ‘Art Journal Wallet’ where her two passions of art journaling and upcycling collide with happy results!
Find out more on her website, www.maycontainpaper.com, where you can also download yourself some free collage papers too!
Louise was a contributing artist to the popular 2024 Artists Almanac and has had her mixed media work, art journals and upcycle projects featured in multiple Stampington magazines including Art Journaling, Somerset Studio and GreenCraft.
What does mixed media art mean to you?
Mixed media at is an accessible and fun way to embrace creativity and explore your own artistic style. I love how with just a few scraps of paper and swipes of colour you can create art.
How long have you been a mixed media artist?
I studied at art college many years ago and, after graduation, worked within creative companies in administrative roles. I continued with my own creative pursuits through crafts like card making alongside interior decorating and design for my own home. It is in the last few years that I have really gone full circle back to art. I discovered the many joys of mixed media through art journaling which is now my passion alongside upcycling and exploring textile art.
How has art impacted or enhanced your life?
Art and creativity have always been a source of relaxation for me. My creative art journaling practise has really got me back in to analogue mode and away from the exhausting tech that dominates modern living. In a world that is frantic and often overwhelming art and the practice of creating pulls me back to a place of quiet immersion and calm.
Tell us about your creative process.
I love to start with acrylic paint and collage. A few layers of random papers glued down and interspersed with paint is the start point and the layers and textures evolve alongside imagery and words.
What inspires you?
The online creative community, online classes & learning, being out and about walking, exploring and visiting galleries & museums.
What do you do when faced with a creative block or rut?
I either start tidying and cleaning my art space or I move away from the desk and do something completely different like read some upbeat fiction or practice yoga.
What are a few of the mixed media art supplies you find yourself returning to?
Vintage papers & fabrics, gesso in both clear and white, acrylic paint, everyone’s favourite – the stabilo pencil, woody crayons, embroidery threads, magazine imagery.
Who are some of your favorite mixed media artists?
There are so so many I have discovered through the online art & art journaling community. Way too many to list and I wouldn’t want to miss any one out here! I love to follow my favourites on Instagram and discover new inspiring artists all the time.
Where would you like to go with your art? What are your goals?
I want to continue learning and explore more textile art techniques. I also plan to start building artistic community through teaching online creative e-courses and in person workshops.
Aside from art, what makes you giddy in life?
Enjoying a quiet coffee, a soothing yoga class, reading great fiction, rummaging thrift stores, charity shops and markets, travel & exploration.
