The mixed media work reflects Firkins’ exploration of his inner world. While most of his representational work is completed in one sitting on location and is inextricably tied to an experience with an external reality, the abstract mixed media are done in the studio, "of" an emotional subject matter. But that doesn’t mean the two aren’t connected. All of the same knowledge acquired from observing nature and light in the representational work is applied to the abstract work as well, whether it is done with collage, textured medium, or paint. This is plainly apparent when viewing the moods, richness of color, and subtle atmosphere of the abstracts.

For his mixed media work Firkins manipulates materials with his bare hands, rather than using traditional painting tools of brush and knife. Pieces, such as those in the show "Magi," are truly finger paintings, direct in their felt experience and expression.