In the past four months or so, I have discovered the joy of collage. It’s a great way to preserve images without having stacks of magazines, brochures, etc., taking up space in your home. The fun of collage is combining similar images to create a theme or somewhat different images to tell a story. It also reminds me that you can find everywhere if you’re open to seeing art wherever you go.
When I went to the visual journaling workshop at Starlight Art Studio and Gallery, I was given the choice between a journal with black paper and white paper. I chose black paper because I feel that images pop better on a black background than a white background.
I love modern art and odd combinations so I combined a Modigliani painting with Valentine’s Day wrapping paper. I also made this into a storytelling collage, with words and quotations. A few days ago, I talked about how children gave up art because the pictures that they could create didn’t match the pictures in their heads. This image is more about the passion of art, which doesn’t require perfection. Hummingbirds are flying pieces of art!Discovering nature and experiencing the wonder of finding interesting plants and animals is art, too.This is the cover of my visual journal. The earth is art. Art is life, art is joy, art is meant to be shared. Art comes from inside of you and it doesn’t have to be perfect. If you are expressing the things that come from inside of you, the imperfections don’t matter. In fact, the imperfections are part of us being perfectly imperfect, unique and individual.
I have only wanted to try creative journaling like scrapbooking and creating such lovely collages but have some how not dipped my toes into it since I feel I don’t come with the right story panels with the pictures. I sometimes save ticket stubs, feathers and things like that with the hope of putting them into a memory book someday but it hasn’t happened yet..I love how you have said that imperfections do not matter when it comes to expressing anything from your heart..I should try again some time..
Yes, please get into your scrapbooking and collage making. The feathers and ticket stubs and other things will give your book such texture. It will be a wonderful experience and, later, a beautiful memory of good things.
Alice, putting a Modigliani painting together with Valentine’s Day wrapping paper is such a fun mix, and I can see why you picked the black paper. Those images really stand out against it. I like what you said about art not needing to be perfect, since so many people stop making things because it never looks like the picture in their heads. I am looking forward to seeing what else ends up in your visual journal this month.
Oooh, thank you so much for your insights, Paul. It actually took me a while to realize that the picture that I thought was very flowed had a different joy than I anticipated and that the unexpected was just as good as that image in my head.
Oh, I love your collages! I like collages, in general, though I have to admit mine are mostly digital now. But I remember the excitement of discovering that there was a way to create art even if I didn’t have any talent.
Your collages are super Alice and I especially like that you used the black paper. I think my favorite is the first watch collage, it spoke to me as if time stops for some things.
I have only wanted to try creative journaling like scrapbooking and creating such lovely collages but have some how not dipped my toes into it since I feel I don’t come with the right story panels with the pictures. I sometimes save ticket stubs, feathers and things like that with the hope of putting them into a memory book someday but it hasn’t happened yet..I love how you have said that imperfections do not matter when it comes to expressing anything from your heart..I should try again some time..
Yes, please get into your scrapbooking and collage making. The feathers and ticket stubs and other things will give your book such texture. It will be a wonderful experience and, later, a beautiful memory of good things.
I love the way you combine your talent with the visual arts and your creativity as a writer!!
Thank you, Tom.
Earth is art… I like it. I also heard the saying, ‘Earth without art is just ‘eh”. 😉
Oh my gosh! I love that, Iku!
Alice, putting a Modigliani painting together with Valentine’s Day wrapping paper is such a fun mix, and I can see why you picked the black paper. Those images really stand out against it. I like what you said about art not needing to be perfect, since so many people stop making things because it never looks like the picture in their heads. I am looking forward to seeing what else ends up in your visual journal this month.
Oooh, thank you so much for your insights, Paul. It actually took me a while to realize that the picture that I thought was very flowed had a different joy than I anticipated and that the unexpected was just as good as that image in my head.
Oh, I love your collages! I like collages, in general, though I have to admit mine are mostly digital now. But I remember the excitement of discovering that there was a way to create art even if I didn’t have any talent.
Thank you, Jeanine. Digital collages are pretty cool and that is something I’ve never tried. I would definitely love to see yours.
How fun. I’ve done lots of scrapbooking but never collages.
Scrapbooking is great! I’ve done a little bit of that. It’s a great way to preserve memories.
Your collages are super Alice and I especially like that you used the black paper. I think my favorite is the first watch collage, it spoke to me as if time stops for some things.
Thank you so much, Martha!
It’s amazing that when watches are photographed, they all register the same time!
How neat, Alice, I love what you’ve done here!