For the past couple weeks collage has been occupying my mind whenever I wasn’t concerned about medical/physical issues, finances, laundry needs, what to make for breakfast/lunch/dinner, the news, weather, the monthly social extravaganza of “Movie Matinee,” responding to mail and loved ones or escaping into a bit of Texas Hold ‘Em online or a fiction novel.
Typical has been awakening from two to four or so to wander the continuing labyrinths of thought about how to make my collage. The process of a collage is gathering together disparate pieces to make a whole. My new preoccupation is because of the winners in the 2022 Death Series: three of them employ “collage.”
Author Hilary Mantel likens collage to putting together a book: “For myself, the only way I know how to make a book is to construct it like a collage: a bit of dialogue here, a scrap of narrative, an isolated description….”
Artists Paula Rego and Sam Gilliam did the same visually. Rego noted that the process is done in stages. It is not “spontaneous.” Her collage works could be described as vibrant. Gilliam’s collage works hint at Color Field principles and a multitude of textures.
Local collage artist and teacher Susan Schenk has developed a rarefied talent for seeing color and texture and translating its forms into representational works. She’s been using “recycled magazines, maps and other ephemera” for over ten years, either torn or cut, using printed pieces like paint.
My experience with collage goes back to an art class assignment over 50 years ago. The photo shows only a black/white image, yet I remember it using yellows, beige, gold, black and brown oil paint over textile samples. I found collage somewhat messy. My mom and I framed it in a gaudy and ornate gold plastic frame. It was lovely.
Typical has been awakening from two to four or so to wander the continuing labyrinths of thought about how to make my collage. The process of a collage is gathering together disparate pieces to make a whole. My new preoccupation is because of the winners in the 2022 Death Series: three of them employ “collage.”
Author Hilary Mantel likens collage to putting together a book: “For myself, the only way I know how to make a book is to construct it like a collage: a bit of dialogue here, a scrap of narrative, an isolated description….”
Artists Paula Rego and Sam Gilliam did the same visually. Rego noted that the process is done in stages. It is not “spontaneous.” Her collage works could be described as vibrant. Gilliam’s collage works hint at Color Field principles and a multitude of textures.
Local collage artist and teacher Susan Schenk has developed a rarefied talent for seeing color and texture and translating its forms into representational works. She’s been using “recycled magazines, maps and other ephemera” for over ten years, either torn or cut, using printed pieces like paint.
My experience with collage goes back to an art class assignment over 50 years ago. The photo shows only a black/white image, yet I remember it using yellows, beige, gold, black and brown oil paint over textile samples. I found collage somewhat messy. My mom and I framed it in a gaudy and ornate gold plastic frame. It was lovely.
My next attempt wasn’t happening for another dozen+ years. This time it was more of a montage—using photo elements in new arrangements to establish the composition. I used yarn and embroidery threads. (Please excuse the glare section, upper middle.) In private collection.
Some collage works aim for the sentimental or historical. I am not one to collect stuff, though I did maintain a button collection for quite some time. So my materials for this sort of orientation amounted to three antique women’s handkerchiefs inherited over the years from family. But I am also concerned with how this piece will endure and decided on cut or torn paper to start. Google mentioned a matte medium to use to protect the surface. Now I just have to continue with finding and cutting colors and such and somehow meld my idea of weaving paper strips and bubbles.