Winter Run, Marisa Jean, 2022, mixed media, 15 x 20 in. / 38.1 x 50.8 cm.

The Power of Texture: Marisa Jean’s Wildlife in Mixed Media

November 4, 2024 Gavin Coates

Featured image: Winter Run, Marisa Jean, 2022, mixed media, 15 x 20 in. / 38.1 x 50.8 cm.

Marisa Jean’s mixed media works—Black Bear, Bison Stoicism, and Cerulean Dream—celebrate the majesty of wildlife with a unique blend of paste, acrylic, watercolor, and gold leaf.

Marisa Jean is a mixed media artist whose works include animal portraits such as Black Bear, Bison Stoicism, and Cerulean Dream. Using paste, acrylic, and gold leaf, she explores the beauty, power, and mysticism of wildlife in her art.

Through her meticulous layering of textures and colors, Jean captures both the raw power and the tranquil beauty of these creatures, offering viewers a multifaceted experience of nature. Her work merges realism with abstraction, creating a visual balance that reflects the complexity of the natural world.

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Black Bear, Marisa Jean, 2023, mixed media, 20 x 16 in. / 50.8 x 40.64 cm.

In Black Bear, Marisa Jean portrays a majestic bear standing before a cascade of light and autumnal leaves. The texture achieved through paste and acrylic gives the bear a tangible presence, as though it might step off the canvas. The interplay of light and shadow, with abstract foliage surrounding the bear, creates a mystical aura, transforming a simple wildlife portrait into a spiritual moment. The bear’s gaze, both serene and commanding, invites the viewer to connect with the raw, untamed essence of the forest. Jean’s layering of media enriches the composition, adding depth and movement to an otherwise still figure.

Bison Stoicism, Marisa Jean, 2023, mixed media, 24 x 30 in. / 60.96 x 76.2 cm.

Bison Stoicism captures the powerful form of a bison, rendered in muted, earthy tones that reflect the creature’s connection to the land. Jean’s use of paste and acrylic creates a tactile texture, especially in the bison’s fur, which appears dense and weighty. The soft, smoky background—composed of red and purple hues—contrasts with the solidity of the bison, highlighting its resilience and strength. The bison’s quiet, stoic expression evokes a sense of ancient wisdom, reminding viewers of the animal’s historical significance. Jean’s minimalist approach to detail in this piece focuses attention on the emotional depth conveyed through the bison’s form and posture.

Cerulean Dream, Marisa Jean, 2023, mixed media, 30 x 30 in. / 76.2 x 76.2 cm.

In Cerulean Dream, Marisa Jean combines bold strokes of acrylic and watercolor with delicate touches of gold leaf to create a dreamlike portrayal of a horse’s legs in motion. The abstract nature of the piece, with its torn golden textures and the absence of the horse’s full body, emphasizes movement and freedom rather than physical form. The deep blues and soft whites of the horse blend seamlessly with the gold leaf, suggesting a celestial quality. Jean’s decision to leave parts of the canvas intentionally raw further accentuates the ethereal, surreal atmosphere. Cerulean Dream is not just a depiction of a horse; it is an exploration of energy, dreams, and untamed beauty.

Marisa Jean’s animal portraits are more than simple depictions of wildlife; they are layered explorations of texture, form, and emotion. From the majestic black bear bathed in golden light to the ancient stoicism of the bison, and the surreal beauty of the cerulean horse, Jean’s work transcends traditional wildlife art. Her mixed media approach invites viewers to experience nature through both a tactile and emotional lens, reminding us of the profound connection between humans and animals.

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