Mixed Media Art in Fairfax: Bringing Childlike Wonder Home
When was the last time you walked into a place and forgot, for a moment, to be a responsible adult?
You stopped thinking about the inbox, the errands, and whatever you were supposed to accomplish next. Something caught your attention so completely that all you wanted to do was look.
That happened to me recently beneath a glass atrium filled with towering palms and lush tropical plants. It reminded me why wonder sits at the heart of my painting practice—and why I want the mixed media art I create in Fairfax, Virginia, to bring that feeling into everyday spaces.
We may grow older, gather responsibilities, and become very accomplished at managing a calendar. But the part of us that lights up at an unexpected color or a beautiful place is still there.
Sometimes it simply needs an invitation.
A Change of Scenery, a Familiar Spark
My husband, Todd, had a business trip to Kissimmee, Florida, and I decided to join him. Credit card points were redeemed, a flight was booked, and suddenly I had traded my usual surroundings for the tropical atmosphere of Gaylord Palms.
The sunlit atrium, enormous palms, and abundance of green immediately caught my attention. I noticed the shapes of leaves, the way light moved through the space, and how differently I felt while walking through it.
I also confirmed my long-standing suspicion that I was supposed to be an island girl. The relocation committee has yet to contact me, but I remain available. 🌴
Beyond that very reasonable conclusion, the trip gave me something I needed: room to notice.
As an artist, I don’t always bring inspiration home as a specific image to reproduce. Sometimes I carry back a feeling—a sense of openness, a color relationship, or the energy of being somewhere that makes me curious again.
Those impressions find their way into the studio.
Why Childlike Wonder Belongs in Adulthood
For nearly three decades, I taught art and watched children approach materials with extraordinary curiosity. A strange mark could become a discovery. An unexpected color could change the entire direction of a painting.
They reminded me how much becomes possible when we allow ourselves to experiment before deciding whether something is good.
Adults often find that harder. We become accustomed to evaluating our choices, anticipating other people’s reactions, and wanting reassurance before we begin.
My work keeps returning to a question: what might we rediscover if we gave ourselves more room to play?
That question became especially personal when a health crisis changed the course of my life. Creative expression gave me somewhere to bring uncertainty, reconnect with myself, and experience moments of joy when so much felt difficult.
Wonder became something I wanted to protect.
Today, I explore that curiosity through intuitive mixed media paintings. Acrylic paint, collage, expressive linework, and writing-like marks allow me to follow an unfolding conversation rather than a predetermined picture.
I hope the finished paintings offer you a little of that freedom, too.
Finding Mixed Media Art in Fairfax That Feels Personal
If you are looking for mixed media art in Fairfax, you can explore my original paintings online at www.preciousburger.com. I live and work in Fairfax, serving collectors throughout Northern Virginia, the Washington, DC, region, and beyond.
But before you begin comparing dimensions or imagining a painting above the sofa, I invite you to notice your response.
Which work makes you pause? Does a particular color bring you back to the ocean, a garden, or a place where you felt completely yourself? Is there a passage you want to look at more closely?
Those responses can help you understand what you want to live with.
A painting can work beautifully within a room while also offering a personal connection. Perhaps it brings energy to a quiet corner, reminds you to breathe during a demanding day, or gives you something new to notice each time you pass.
My layered abstract artwork leaves room for interpretation. I begin with my own experiences and curiosity, but I love hearing what someone else discovers within the work.
Your connection does not need to match my original intention. It belongs to you.
Commissioning a Painting Inspired by Your Story
Sometimes you find an existing painting that immediately feels right. Other times, you have a memory, milestone, or feeling you would love to explore through a custom artwork.
That is why I enjoy commissions so much.
Working one-on-one with a collector gives me an opportunity to listen. We can talk about a meaningful place, colors you return to, the atmosphere you want in your home, and the story you hope the painting will hold.
You do not need to arrive with a finished design or know the names of every material. Our conversation gives us a starting point.
From there, we explore the size, color direction, and possibilities for a layered mixed media painting created for you. My intuitive process brings those ideas into conversation with the materials, allowing discoveries to emerge along the way.
The commission waitlist is now open. Through the waitlist page, you can explore sizing and pricing and express your interest in a future project. Installment payment plans are also available.
If you are considering a meaningful gift or artwork for a particular occasion, share your timing when you inquire so we can discuss what may be possible.
A First Look at Echoes of the Soul
Alongside commissions, I have been preparing six new original paintings for my collection, Echoes of the Soul.
The paint is dry, the photographs are taken, and I am uploading the work to my website. After spending so much time with these pieces in the studio, I am excited to share their depth, luminous color, and layered details.
There is a particular feeling that interests me in this collection: encountering something that seems familiar before you can explain why. A color, shape, or passage may suggest a memory without describing a specific place.
I want to leave room for that recognition to unfold.
My VIP newsletter community will receive the first look and an early opportunity to collect before the public announcement. Until then, you can explore available original artwork through Recent Paintings on my website.
Experience Through Me in Springfield
If you are nearby, I would love to share another way to experience my paintings in person.
My six-month solo exhibition, Through Me: Where Wonder Finds a Way, features nine large paintings at Springfield Town Center, presented in partnership with ArtsFairfax.
The opening reception is Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 5:00 PM, at 6500 Springfield Mall, Springfield, Virginia.
For the entrance described in my invitation, park near the giant LEGO giraffe. Once inside, take the stairs or escalator down and turn right toward the artwork near Dave & Buster’s.
Please RSVP to Robin Salmon at robin.salmon@preit.com.
There will be guest speakers, a few words from me, and time to celebrate together. Seeing these paintings beyond the studio—and hearing what people notice in them—is something I look forward to sharing with you.
Bring a Little Wonder Into Your Everyday Life
The Florida palms reminded me how quickly our attention can shift when we encounter something that makes us curious. We slow down. We look longer. We remember that there is more to experience than the next item on our list.
That is the possibility I return to when I paint.
Whether you are drawn to an existing work or imagining a custom painting inspired by your own story, I would love to help you explore what feels meaningful.
Join my custom art commission waitlist to review sizes and pricing and take the first step toward creating a personal mixed media painting together.
The wonder you remember still has a place in your life—and perhaps a place on your walls. 🩵
Precious Burger
Contemporary Mixed Media Artist
Fairfax, Virginia | Washington, DC Region
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