This painting speaks volumes about the connection between identity and origin. For "The House that Built Me" by Mandi Murphy, I'd create this alt text: "A haunting mixed media painting where the face of a woman merges with and cradles a weathered yellow farmhouse. The woman's partial face appears in ethereal whites and lavenders at the top left, with her delicate hand reaching down to hold the house. Her elongated arm and body flow through the composition in brushy strokes of white and pink. The farmhouse, rendered with realistic detail, sits nestled against the woman's form as if growing from her essence. The background blends dreamy clouds, shadowy trees, and a ground scattered with golden flower-like shapes. This piece from Murphy's Wallflower series beautifully illustrates how our origins shape our identity, with the house literally replacing the woman's eyes - suggesting how our past influences our vision of the world."

Mixed Media Artist: Mandi

I never thought I'd call myself an artist. Just two years ago, I was like many of you, busy with a teaching job, raising my family, making ends meet. Painting wasn't some lifelong dream; it found me when I needed something real to hold onto.

My studio isn't fancy, it's a corner of our Lexington farm where paint-splattered sweats are my uniform and my coffee gets cold because I've lost track of time again. You won't find me in designer clothes with a perfectly curated Instagram feed. Most days, you'll find me with my hair tied up, hands stained with color, figuring things out as I go, painting abstract realism .

I used to think art was for "other people"—those who'd been drawing since childhood or had fancy degrees. But here's what I've learned: creativity belongs to all of us. I walked away from a steady teaching paycheck to follow this pull toward making art, not because I was special, but because I finally gave myself permission to try, and become an oil painting artist!

Mandi Murphy

When I paint women whose edges blur into their surroundings or horses carrying elements of the cosmos, I'm really painting about all of us, how we're connected to everything around us, how none of us exists in isolation. I use spray paints and inks before finishing with oils not because it's trendy, but because it mirrors life...messy beginnings that somehow transform into something meaningful.

My art isn't about being perfect. It's about being authentic. About showing up. About believing that your dreams matter too, no matter where you come from or how late you start.

Canvas Whispers: From Farmhouse Studio to Your World

Welcome to a contemporary mixed media artists little corner of the internet, where paint-splattered thoughts and creation stories come to life. This blog isn't about polished perfection or curated artspeak, it's the raw, unfiltered journey of an everyday woman who found her voice through mixed media when she least expected it.

Here, I'll invite you into the beautiful mess of my creative process, from those first wild sprays of color that make my husband raise an eyebrow when he walks into the studio, to the meditative moments when oil paint brings everything into focus. You'll discover the stories behind my collections, the spark that ignites a new series, and the unexpected inspirations that find me while feeding donkeys at dawn or watching my daughter laugh.

This is a place for the dreamers, the curious, the ones who wonder what goes on behind closed studio doors. It's for anyone who's ever thought "I could never do that" (spoiler: you absolutely can) and for those who already know the transformative power of making something with your hands.