The unique, weathered Mixed Media art of db Waterman
- May 20, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 15
'If you're looking for original contemporary artwork, chances are you've come across the term “Mixed Media.'
What is Mixed Media art?
Mixed media art is a modern and highly versatile form of visual art in which different materials and techniques are combined within one artwork.
You can think of:
Paint, paper, ink and chalk
Texturizers and image transfers
Collage elements and printed fragments
A combination of techniques such as watercolour, acrylic paint and pastels
This way of working gives visual artists enormous freedom to express their vision. And that is exactly what db Waterman uses in a unique and creative way.
In this article you will discover:
What Mixed Media Art actually is
Why it carries so much expressive power
How db Waterman developed her own recognizable visual language with weathered layers, collage techniques and a refined working method
What exactly does “Mixed Media” mean?
The term literally refers to the combination of different artistic media in one artwork. Traditional painters often focus on a single medium. A mixed media artist intentionally merges several.
This can include:
Paper collage combined with acrylic paint
Photographic elements layered with text and drawing
Multiple paint techniques used within the same surface
By working in layers, mixed media art creates visual and conceptual depth. Textures overlap. Fragments reappear. Surfaces reveal and conceal at the same time. For collectors, this makes every piece visually engaging and impossible to experience in just one glance.
The Mixed Media Process of db Waterman
Interestingly, db Waterman did not consciously choose mixed media as a style. Her technique emerged from necessity. Early on, limited access to materials forced her to experiment with what was available — leftover paint, old magazines, printed fragments.
That experimentation evolved into a distinctive artistic language.
Each original mixed media artwork begins with a carefully prepared surface — canvas or paper — onto which collage fragments and image transfers are applied.
Layers build gradually. Some are partially removed, sanded or torn back. Others are glazed over with transparent paint, allowing earlier textures to remain visible.
This process requires time, patience and precision. Nothing is accidental. Every fragment is selected for colour, composition and narrative strength.
The result is mixed media on canvas that feels weathered, lived-in and emotionally layered.
Weathered Landscapes and Melancholic Atmosphere
A defining characteristic of db Waterman’s contemporary mixed media art is its weathered beauty.
Her landscapes are shaped through layering and reduction. Paint is added, then partially removed. Surfaces are softened, distressed and refined until they evoke the feeling of time passing.
Not by accident, but as the result of many worked layers that are:
Sanded
Torn
Painted over
Removed and reapplied
The textures appear aged — cracked, faded, subtly worn — yet never chaotic. Instead, they create a quiet intensity.
Human figures often inhabit these landscapes. Small, solitary presences walking, waiting or observing. They introduce narrative and emotional depth, strengthening the melancholic atmosphere that collectors recognize in her work.
This balance between textured abstraction and figurative elements gives the artwork both modern edge and timeless resonance.
The feeling of melancholy emerges because these layers suggest time and memory. The materials seem to carry a shared history.
Human figures are always present. They are:
Walking
Sitting
Watching
Waiting
They bring story, memory and soul. Their presence intensifies the melancholic atmosphere and makes her mixed media landscapes recognizable and emotionally powerful.
Her landscapes are often marked by a weathered surface — not by accident, but as the result of many worked layers that are:
Sanded
Torn
Painted over
Removed and reapplied
Mixed Media on Canvas: Technique as Signature
Creating refined mixed media on canvas is technically demanding. Canvas is rough, absorbent and less forgiving than paper. Through years of experimentation, db Waterman developed a method that allows collage, print, acrylic and pastel to merge almost seamlessly.
Transitions between materials become nearly invisible. Typography fragments, old prints and layered pigments integrate into one cohesive surface.
Every layer is reconsidered repeatedly — adjusted, softened, intensified or partially removed — until the composition feels complete. This controlled process gives each artwork its distinctive depth and exclusivity.
For art collectors seeking original textured wall art with a strong artistic signature, this refinement makes a difference.
Why Art Collectors Are Drawn to Mixed Media Art
In a world dominated by fast images and digital aesthetics, original mixed media art offers something tangible and enduring.
Collectors are drawn to:
The richness of layered surfaces
The balance between abstraction and figurative presence
The sense of history embedded in the textures
The exclusivity of handcrafted, one-of-a-kind pieces
db Waterman’s contemporary artworks are never superficial. Even when colour is bold, the composition remains controlled and sophisticated.
The weathered textures, subtle urban undertones and human elements create pieces that continue to reveal new details over time.
For collectors investing in original art, this lasting visual depth is essential.
Are you considering purchasing a piece of art?
Are you curious about my work, my working methods, or the possibilities of direct purchase?
You are always welcome to:
view my current collection
discover the story behind a piece of art
contact me with questions
or schedule a studio visit
Together, we can discuss what suits your interior, without pressure or obligation.
You buy art with care.
That care begins with a conversation.
Visit my Studio!
You are always welcome to visit my studio gallery at
Strijp-S in Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Or take a look at my online portfolio.
Please contact me with any questions or requests you may have!
Please contact me if you have any questions. I can help you choose or create a piece of art that fits your interior!
