The Anatomy of Collage

The Anatomy of Collage 

I’ve dabbled in all kinds of art in my life. All kinds of mediums. Each one has its own mysteries and rewards. In the past couple of years collage has interested me. Friends have asked and I have even asked myself - Why just cover up a layer with more layers? What’s the point? Tonight I realized the beauty of collage. I can only explain by showing. As I used to tell my students - show, don’t tell.  So I will show.

Gather materials 


Layer one: Reflection, Contemplation

Breathe. Ponder. Write. What thoughts come to mind at this moment? I am taking an art workshop with an artist named Taire Smith on this day, Juneteenth 2024. Her focus today was Harriet Tubman and her acts of bravery. What better time than now, in these troubled times, to recognize and celebrate such bravery. Feels good to express these thoughts. (I forgot to take a photo of just my writing.)

Then grab some pens and play. Breathe. Scribble. Let out bottled up emotions. Be wild. 


Layer two: Collage

What is scattered around me? A water bill, an insurance bill,  an envelope from a friend, a vintage dress pattern, a paper bag, a doily. Glue these on with matter medium. My thoughts are now hidden, as they often are.  


Layer three: Play with paint. Limit the color palette to blue. No complicated decisions about color harmony. Dab on blue tones and some white. Spread paint with a palette knife. Just play and move some paint around.

Now here’s where the questions arise. Why do the collage if you’re just going to cover it up with paint? Texture. It’s about texture. Those papers create varying surface areas, so the paint hides in nooks and crannies organically and is now textural. (It took me a while to realize that.) 


➡️It is at this point where this project went south real fast.⬇️

Layer four: Dab on more paint and use brayer to spread it. Roll vertically. This is the point where I discovered that the paper doily had two layers. Uh, oh. Guess what happened? Yep, that layer wasn’t glued down, so up it came with the first roll of the brayer. Not cool, paper! 

▶️ And here I stopped for the night. Will resume tomorrow. 

Layer five: Just Play

So here it is another new day. Sunny. Cool, clean, morning air (before the heat hits us). Back into my art room to see the work that reflects my mood last night . . . frustration, annoyance, and exhaustion after a busy day. Refreshed, calm, and full of artistic energy, I approach my work. Swatching blues, dabbing circles, and creating people. People of all skin tones, representing us all, gathered together, living in peace, loving and supporting one another, showing compassion and giving comfort. The words represent these things. Harriet Tubman is in the center . . . freedom.

Now scribbling with a white pen and stippling with a stencil brush. These are flowers that represent growth,  the growth of humanity into a more caring and compassionate species. A humanity that honors history, learns from mistakes, and evolves into a peaceful state of coexistence. Stars that represent those whom we have lost (pets included) but still hold in our hearts. 

I was so into the moment on this piece that I did not take photos of my process. Honestly, I forgot. But here is the thing. Collage reminds us that there is always possibility. What seems like an obstacle or a glitch is only temporary. There are always layers in life. We evolve. Just like art. 




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