Artist to demonstrate mixed media technique

The Society of Bluffton Artists has announced the speaker for the organization's Feb. 11 meeting: Mixed Media artist Diane Dean will demonstrate her techniques which combine collage, acrylic and watercolor to create "representational abstract" paintings.

The artist will begin with a stretched canvas, add layers of acrylic gesso

medium, embedding papers, cloth, natural fibers and found objects to create a sculpted texture.Once dry, layers of pigment will be applied, smudged, partially removed and polished.The end result, always unpredictable, is a highly textured painting combining both bold and muted colors.

The meeting is open to the public.Dean's work has been featured on South Carolina's PBS ETV affiliate and an upcoming HGTV "That's Clever" episode.Her work has also adorned the covers of local publications, won numerous awards and can be seen in area galleries and at local art festivals.