Top Ten Trends in Mixed Media Art in 2017

Trends. Some people watch them, some follow them, and some people avoid them at all costs. But trends are a very real phenomenon that often determines the items available in your local art and craft shop, the art books that you see online, the workshops that are available to take, and the pictures which pop up in your Facebook feed.

The following is a list of the top ten trends among mixed media artists in 2017.  While by definition trends come and go, the list below suggests that trends do come - but may never go. As noted, many of the trends listed have been popular in the recent past and show no signs of disappearing.

Remember that this represents just one artist's opinion and has been limited to ten. Feel free to add any trends that you may have noticed in the comments below. 

And stay tuned for January which brings my list of the top ten trends coming in 2018 as seen at Creativation, the annual trade show for AFCI - the Association for Creative Industries (formally known as CHA).

THE TOP TEN

1. Wet Media. Acrylic paint continues to be the number one choice in this category. While traditional fluid and heavy body paints are the most popular, paint pens, daubers, and sprays are increasing in popularity as well. Of late, there seems to be a spike in people who are engaging in acrylic pouring. There has been continued growth in the use of watercolors as well. More and more companies are developing products in this area, which not only include traditional paints but also watercolor pencils, metallic paints, along with paper and products with a watercolor design.

2. Texture. Adding texture to mixed media artwork continues to be a trend. New formulas of gesso, gels, pastes, and textured elements are continually being developed. Ingredients used to create texture run the gamut from commercially made products to natural elements. Style-wise, they range from matte, vintage and rusty all the way to shiny, glossy and sleek.

3. The adult coloring book trend appears to be losing steam. Last year at this time, the top ten list of mixed media/craft books on Amazon was overflowing with coloring books as were the magazine shelves at Barnes and Noble. Still evident in the marketplace however, these books have lately been focused on highly specific markets rather than coloring in general.

4. Lettering. All things text, letters, fonts and calligraphy remain a powerful force in the mixed media market. Whether as a stand-alone technique, incorporated into artwork, or used as a relaxation technique, lettering remains hot. Think of all the fancy lettering you have seen this past year on those ubiquitous inspirational quotes on Facebook The continued popularity of art journals and planners is a strong contributing factor as well.

5. Stencils. Stencils have become a hot item in the last number of years and, at this point, seem to be more of a staple for mixed media artists rather than a trend that is likely to disappear. Artist designed stencils - rather than more generic, computer-based designs - seem to be driving this continued resurgence. The acceptance of graffiti and street art as a full-fledged art domain has also contributed. Ironically, stencils developed for home decor have been evident this past year, mirroring the purpose of stencils popular back in the 1970s-1980s.

6. Art Journaling. Creatives continue to embrace art journaling and its popularity only appears to be increasing. Many artists find the freedom that comes with keeping an art journal ("no rules") very appealing. The availability of journaling products, books, groups and workshops have taken what at one point was a solitary activity and turned it into a group exercise. While many people still keep private journals, an ever increasing majority share their pages. And as in many creative things, build a community and they will come.

7. Tradition. While it might at first glance seem strange that tradition could be seen as a trend, it often seems like long-standing art domains periodically emerge as popular approaches for mixed media artists. In addition to watercolor, as noted above, collage continues to be strong, with people incorporating paper as well as painted elements, found objects and the many commercial embellishments created for artists and crafters on the market. Portraiture has shown a resurgence, helped along by workshops, books and products such as face stencils that are now available. Other traditions showing an increase in popularity this past year include cold wax, encaustics, paper cutting and sketching.

8. Fiber. Mixed media artists continue to integrate materials and techniques more historically associated with fiber artists. Hand and machine stitching, eco dyeing, shibori, and fabric-based books have all been increasingly evident over the course of 2017. Mixed media weaving to create texture and dimension is also notable and has been supported by the release of small, easy-to-use looms from multiple companies.

9. Mark Making. Mark making has been synonymous with abstract art for many years but it is an area that has been increasingly prevalent in mixed media over the last few years - perhaps in part because the concept of mark making seems so much more accessible to many people than drawing. As more and more people have become increasingly comfortable with the freedom of expression that goes along with mixed media, they have also become more willing to experiment and take risks via mark making. This trend has led to (or been fueled by) an increasing number of mark makers being produced by the craft and art industries and the popularity of more rustic, hand-made mark makers.

10. The Rest. Other mixed media trends noted throughout the year include 1) layering: always a hallmark of mixed media but recently simplified by the many companies releasing "kits" of stencils and stamps, dies and stamps, coordinated products, etc.; 2) metallics: in the form of pens, paints, and mediums, foils and related adhesives and machines, embellishments, paper and design elements; 3) planners: a recent mainstay in the craft industry, 2017 saw the rise of planners in the style of the traveler's notebook; and 4) apps: painting and drawing apps continue to be popular and are bring used as both digital sketch books and to create finished work.