5 things I love about Collage
and how you can get started
When I went to University to study illustration, I had a very closed off idea of what art could look like for me. As I mentioned in my previous blog entry about how I came to be a collage artist in Nova Scotia, fear had a lot to do with that. It put me very much squarely in the slow lane, not checking my blind spots or accelerating to where I wanted to get to.
Discovering collage has been a big part of breaking down that fear. How to be creative on my own terms was a lesson I learned with glue all over my desk and little bits of paper stuck to my fingers. I’d love to recount the story with you if you have time, I think it could help a lot of people fall in love with collage and creativity. And maybe lead you into a new lane all your own.
What is Collage?
First, the basics. What is collage? A collage is a piece of art that is made through the process of arranging different pieces of paper, photographs, fabric, and other collected items onto a new surface, and sticking them down to create a new image. Both the resulting image and the technique are called collage. Any items can be used; magazine pictures, book pages, photos, train tickets, stickers, painted or patterned paper, even trash. The items used are often referred to as ephemera - the minor transient documents of everyday life. They can be cut, torn, or whole, and can create new images that are realistic, abstract, or surreal - The BBC bitesize learning page on collage has a great accessible breakdown of this if you’re wanting more info.
You may have heard the term decoupage, which is the technique of pasting paper cut-outs onto different surfaces - this is where the term collage comes from. Other areas of collage you might of heard of include papier collé, montage, photomontage, or mixed media. You can head over to the Tate Gallery website and get an awesome insight into each of these techniques.
That first piece
So back to my lane - I knew at university I was OK at drawing. So that’s where I really hung out, just sticking to the rivers and the lakes I was used to. It was intimidating to learn new things, especially as a teenager who hadn’t lived away from home before. To be real it still is, whatever age and scenario you find yourself. New is scary.
Lucky for us now, there’s all kinds of ways to get to know other artists. To see their work, their processes; and most importantly see that we share a lot of the same fears and doubts about our work. Controversy of Influencer Culture aside, I’ve found it so helpful to go on Instagram and hear directly from artists I admire about how they’re getting on. Or to collect beautiful works on Pinterest that inspire me when I feel stuck, keeping them next to a long, long list of DIY projects I will never have time to make.
When I was working as a copywriter in Vancouver, I interviewed an incredible artist called Inas Al Soqi for an online boutique gallery. She’s a wonderful person with a world-travelled artistic voice that draws from so many of her unique and incredible experiences. Her art was utterly mesmerizing. And it sparked off something inside me that I have not been able to control since.
Step One: Find Your Inspiration
There are so many incredible collage artists out there, from early 20th century examples from the likes of Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse, to insanely intricate detailed digital collage artworks from newer artists like Pierre Schmidt. Look on Instagram, Pinterest, scour the art section in the library for work that lights a spark in your creative furnace.
The Picture Begins to Form
So where to begin? Lucky for me, the building I was working in at the time had an open door policy on the trash room - if you wanted it, you could take it. And wouldn’t you know it, one of the other offices decided to throw away an entire binful of magazines. Result! I also had a thrift store at the end of my road, and asked how much it would be to fill a tote with any and all books. If you’re wondering, the answer was $30.
I had my materials! But what was it I wanted to make? What did I want to say? I gave myself a challenge that would flex my creative collage muscles - collage the alphabet. 26 individual small-scale collages each with their own theme to draw ideas from. A great way to get started, and to learn what I liked and didn’t like.
Step Two: Get Collecting
Go to thrift stores, yard sales, rifle through your grandparent’s basement and your neighbours trash. You can collect anything and everything at first and downsize later - you won’t know what truly rings your joy bell until you try it all.
Reasons to Love Collage
1 ) Embracing the imperfection
I’ve always been far too hard on myself, especially when it comes to art; thinking that I had to create something perfect to allow it to even exist as art. High stakes! A lot of pressure. When I was illustrating I could never get the image in my head down on paper, no matter how hard I tried or how long I practiced. Which led to a lot of frustration and negative self talk.
What I realised about collage is that the end result depends on the imagery you find. So I can have a plan, but the outcome is luck of the draw. Shape, colour, perspective. Perfection goes out the window, and the pressure is off.
2 ) Losing myself in fantasy worlds
One of the best lessons I’ve learned through collage is that the best way to escape the world is to make one yourself. Daydreaming is a lost art, and is actually proven to reduce stress and anxiety, as well as encourage that all important creative muscle to get a-flexin’. I love to lose myself in old harbours, impossible oceans, and even calm corners with tea and rain.
Collage art lets me create the world I want to be in. And make it just the way I like it; be that weird, oversized, all one colour, or absolutely preposterously jam-packed - which is my favourite. With collage, the world according to Seth can come to life.
3 ) It grows and grows
Beware - collage is the binge-watching Netflix shows of the creative world. Highly addictive, incredibly intoxicating, and ever expanding. There’s always a new show, and there’s always a new idea. One minute you’re sat making a carousel horse out of wall sconces and peacock feathers, then BOOM. Idea hits and it’s all knitted Christmas sweaters with geese on them.
There’s always something new to discover. New techniques, new materials, new styles, new topics. Nothing ever stands still, and you will never get bored. Love for collage is a rapid, tumbling river. Pocahontas was right, you can’t step in the same river twice.
4 ) Abstract healing
We all carry something. Oftentimes multiple things. That’s part of being human, and it’s OK. What I’ve come to realise is that we don’t have to hide those things away. With compassion, patience, and cut and paste, we can listen to our deeper selves and find an amazing and beautiful outlet for our pain.
Collage art is all about listening to your inner self - noticing the things you like, trusting yourself to follow a direction you love. Connecting to memories, to imagery from another time and place and finding peace there. Collage art is good for your mental health.
5 ) Something can be anything
The most important reason - it’s super fun! Collage is easy, engaging, low pressure, and versatile. There is never a wrong way to do it. You can sweep up and wash your hands at the end. No muss no fuss. It’s something you can lose yourself in, never worrying about the outcome, just enjoying the process. Because if you hate what you make, just cut it up and start again.
One of the things I love in my work is turning one thing into another - a sequined skirt becomes a headdress for a lion. A skull becomes shadows on the moon. A commercial for wood flooring becomes a quiet rainy day with tea and cake. Let your imagination run wild, and have a blast.
Step 3: Cut and Paste
There’s really nothing more to it. Think about what you want to make. Something abstract and emotional? Your favourite animal? A sweeping landscape? Find the elements you love and cut or tear them apart. Listen to your instincts and glue them down.
The Final Image
There are so many things to love about collage, and I fell in love with them all. The process, the outcome, the search for just the right image or colour. There’s love for the peace it gives my mind. I found self-love in my expression, and I know that if you’re brave and take those first steps, you will too.
If you need a more detailed breakdown of how to start with collage art, or want to get involved with collage workshops in the future, go ahead and sign up to the Harbour Herald - Wolf Moon Cove’s email newsletter - and get the info direct to your inbox.
Happy collaging!
