Mixed media artist Josephine Close incorporates mystical and magical elements in her nature-inspired portfolio. Learn more by visiting her website.
![mixed media painting by Josephine Close](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Memory-ink-gold-and-wax-on-paper-36x36-Josephine-Close.jpeg)
“Memory” ink, gold and wax on paper, 36″ x 36″
I am a self-taught mixed media painter based in Los Angeles. My work focuses on the intersection of art and magic.
![mixed media painting by Josephine Close](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/All-night-long-it-pulls-them-down-ink-and-wax-on-paper-30x22-Josephine-Close.jpg)
“All night long, it pulls them down” ink and wax on paper, 30″ x 22″
I approach my practice from an intuitive place, seeking to convey the spiritual, no matter what my subject or medium would be.
![mixed media painting by Josephine Close](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Thistle-Prayer-ink-and-wax-on-paper-12x15-Josephine-Close.jpg)
“Thistle Prayer” ink and wax on paper, 12″ x 15″
For years I have studied various healing modalities, ancestor veneration, mediumship, tarot and divination of all kinds. As a result of those teachings, I realized that the most potent magic is the magic we make up ourselves.
![mixed media painting by Josephine Close](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Stairway-to-a-secret-ink-silver-and-wax-on-paper15x16-Josephine-Close.jpg)
“Stairway to a secret” ink, silver and wax on paper, 15″ x 16″
My painting practice is truly my only form of magic. I treat the act as a ritual. I prepare my space—lighting candles, burning incense and preparing my tools and paper.
![mixed media painting by Josephine Close](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Oath-ink-silver-and-wax-on-paper-36x36-Josephine-Close.jpg)
“Oath” ink, silver and wax on paper, 11″ x 15″
I set intentions for each piece. I have several altars that I tend to, to further my art practice. To me, my art making is my religion, a meditation; the paintings themselves represent a spell or a prayer.
![mixed media painting by Josephine Close](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Secret-ink-gold-and-wax-on-paper-15x11-Josephine-Close.jpeg)
“Secret” ink, gold and wax on paper, 15″ x 11″
I incorporate magic symbols in my underpainting and sometimes recognizable in the final painting itself.
![mixed media painting by Josephine Close](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Stars-turn-and-time-presents-itself-ink-silver-and-wax-on-paper-15x12-Josephine-Close.jpeg)
“Stars turn and time presents itself” ink, silver and wax on paper, 15″ x 12″
I paint in a somewhat realistic fashion but crave disruption; something to make it less realistic, more its own entity. I am constantly experimenting with what I refer to as treatments. My work is acrylic ink and wax on paper. Incorporating gold, silver, diamond dust, mica and other things I can find and seeing the effect is a huge part of my practice.
![mixed media painting by Josephine Close](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-Existence-of-Matter-ink-gold-and-wax-on-paper-11x15-Josephine-Close.jpeg)
“The existence of matter” ink, gold and wax on paper, 11″ x 15″
I developed an allergy to oil paint and had to stop using it. I tried to devise a way to make my acrylics mimic oils, which is how I came to my current practice. It was years of experimentation that led me to my process.
![mixed media painting by Josephine Close](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-things-we-gathered-ink-gold-and-wax-on-paper-22x15-Josephine-Close.jpeg)
“The things we gathered” ink, gold and wax on paper, 22″ x 15″
As an animist, I am deeply influenced by nature. Other influences include old religious iconography, Mexican retablo or ex voto paintings, old movies, old fairy tales, poetry, early spiritualism and all kinds of magic.
![mixed media painting by Josephine Close](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Chicken-ink-gold-and-wax-on-paper-11x15-Josephine-Close.jpeg)
“Chicken” ink, gold and wax on paper, 11″ x 15″
I am drawn to old things, objects that have a weathered look, things that inspire a sense of nostalgia and I try to capture that feeling in my work.
Artist Josephine Close invites you to follow her on Instagram.
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