Returning to My Artistic Roots . . .

Friday, July 30, 2021










        Besides enjoying a caffè latte, I believe putting on an outfit that makes you feel confident is one of the best ways to start off the day.  Today I'm wearing this fun tiger printed button down blouse from Zara with my go-to Topshop jeans, a caramel cross body purse, and my favorite Sarah Flint gold heeled sandals. (These sandals are not only chic and perfect for summer, but they are extremely comfortable. They elevate any jeans and a t-shirt ensemble and they, of course, look fabulous when paired with a dress! If you would like to own your own pair of these gorgeous gold sandals, be sure to use my special code SARAHFLINT-BAKRISTENT for $50 off your own pair!)
        As I mentioned in a recent Instagram post, my usual everyday uniform is a t-shirt and bike shorts.  Since I work from home, it was fun to get a little dressed up for this (socially distanced) photo shoot.  I also announced on Instagram that soon I will start to showcase my 3D mixed media art, which is what I wanted to talk a little bit about today. 
        I was first introduced to mixed media art in (I believe) 2008.  It was so long ago, I can't remember the exact year.  At the time, I was a naive middle-schooler who was just trying to find a school elective that I enjoyed.  Although I loved taking theater as an elective the year before, I decided I'd try something new.  I took an introductory Mixed Media class and I liked it so much that I continued to take it all through my senior year of high school.  Although I was interested in taking photography and ceramics, I fell in love with mixed media because I felt incredibly free to be as creative as my imagination could take me.  Taking the same class for about five years can seem alarmingly repetitive to some, but it was far from boring.  
        Almost every two to three weeks, I was creating something new.  Since the class was called "Mixed Media," I was required to create 3D projects that incorporated at least two different mediums of my choice, so class was never dull.  I was constantly learning: learning how to use and manipulate new materials, learning to pivot when the idea in my head didn't execute the way I initially planned, learning how to adapt to changes and setbacks, and the list could go on and on.  From chicken wire, paper pulp and playing cards to rope, bubble wrap, and clay, I had such a blast working with an array of materials.  Challenging myself to top the project before became almost a creative addiction of mine.  
        To be completely honest, creating mixed media art became an innate part of my thinking process that I no longer see every day objects as they are, but what they could be.  Even if I stopped creating art projects in 2012, I have been toying with ideas for new projects since then.  I don't know what took me so long to decide to return to my artistic roots, but I'm making it happen in 2021.  I am reviving the mixed media artist within me and I am over-the-moon excited!
        Besides the creative freedom mixed media lends me, it's one of the few creative outlets I feel safe to freely share my opinions and take a stand on deeper topics that are sometimes controversial.  Art has always been the way I love to use my voice, and I am excited to share with you my thoughts and views.  With that said, please stay tuned to my two-part project reveal here on Elizabeth, Marie, and Me.  I will be revealing part one on my Instagram (@kristentanabe) first, so be sure to follow me there!  As always, I am sending you lots of love from my heart to yours!

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OUTFIT DETAILS

Shirt: Zara (Similar Here)
Jeans: Topshop (Similar Here)
Sarah Flint Gold Heeled Sandals: Sarah Flint 
(SARAHFLINT-BAKRISTENT for $50 off your first pair)
Purse: Sam Edelman (Similar Here)
Gold Chain Belt: Topshop (Similar Here)
Sunglasses: Chloe (Similar Here)
Necklace: Tiffany & Co. (Similar Here)
Gold Bracelet: Lauren Ralph Lauren (Similar Here)
Tiger's Eye Bracelet: Once Again (Similar Here)

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SHOP THE OUTFIT
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