28 Comments
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Xavi Buendia's avatar

Thanks for sharing your artistic journey, Stella.

I think it's just part of the creative process to sometimes produce something not so strong or meaningful but as you've said and done, keep going.

These collages are stunning, congratulations!

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

Thanks, Xavi. I appreciate your encouragement. It's a stretch for me but having this small breakthrough is motivating. We'll see where it goes!

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Beth T (BethOfAus)'s avatar

The simpler collages definitely work well. (I regularly do Zentangle. 2 inch squares are a joy to work on! 😃)

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

Thank you, Beth! That's wonderful that you are doing Zentangle. I've done this on and off and its mesmerizing when I'm in the zone. Where can I see your zentangles? do you share them anywhere online?

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Beth T (BethOfAus)'s avatar

No, nowhere online. My sister and I text our daily work to each other each evening. Always such fun.

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

What a beautiful and collaborative process! so happy to hear that. What a great way to bond with your sister. Be well, Beth and have a good week ahead.

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SydneyMichalski🌿NatureMoments's avatar

Beautiful work, Stella! Those bold color palette, yellow and charcoal/black, looks amazing!

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

Thanks, Sydney! It was a struggle to get there but I am motivated by this tiny breakthrough.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

During the pandemic I did a lot of abstract collages. I love the process. Yours look great!

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

Oh, wonderful Susanne! I also re-started collaging during the pandemic and haven't stopped since then. Is there a place where I can see some of them online?

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Theo Crook's avatar

Thank you for sharing this. I love looking at other peoples notebooks and sketchbooks - they are always so raw and personal.

Keep up the collaging, I think they are great. 👍

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

Thank you, Theo! And, Welcome to Sundays with Stella. I appreciate you chiming in and for your encouragement. My hope is to continue pursing this direction-- perhaps slowly but we'll see.

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Zachary Ayotte's avatar

I love your collages so much.

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

Thanks, Zachary!

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

Fascinating to follow your thoughts and your process here, Stella! I loved this journey of yours back into abstract collaging. You're an inspiration!

I loved all the art you've shown us here, but the last piece is my favourite. What I like about it in particular is the 'breaking through' of the section with the lettering on. Awesome.

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

Thank you, Rebecca! Tiny breakthrough but significant for me. I've struggled with it since I re-started collaging during the pandemic. I was ecstactic when something finally clicked!

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Jillian Hess's avatar

Stella! These notebooks are so beautiful! I'm bookmarking this for future editions of my favorite notebooks on Substack!

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

Thank you, Jillian! I appreciate it.

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Dan Jandl's avatar

These are really great and super inspiring!

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

Thank you, Dan! And welcome to Sundays with Stella. I'm happy you chimed in to let me know this post inspired you. Be well!

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Ann Collins's avatar

I love your perseverance, Stella. It’s such an important piece of the process to keep persisting and figuring out what we’re *not* trying to make. I think it helps us see what we *are* trying to make in a more obvious way. Like your final collages— you’re like YES! THAT’S IT! And away you go!!!

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

Thank you, Ann! It's not for the faint of heart. I'm trying to get myself psyched for the next session yet, I'm procrastinating. Perhaps I'm trying to pace myself or maybe the inner talk is at it again. But, I will persist as that is what we do as artists--plunge ourselves into the unknown.

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Ann Collins's avatar

I hear you, Stella! My clinical work is taking all my focus right now. I guess we really do live in tiny microseasons that ebb and flow and call us to different ways of living. 🌿

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

Thank you Ann! Somehow, I missed this and just now getting back to you. Hoping you have some “time between” to return to your creative projects. Take care.

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Andi Alexander's avatar

Lovely the way in which you recount your process for us. That takes time - as much as making the collage - and much appreciated.

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

Thank you Andi for chiming in. I appreciate it! I’m so excited to delve deeper into typography abstract collages— never thought I’d say it but I’m actually having fun now versus a few years ago I felt this dread, forcing myself to embrace it. Grateful for this breakthrough!

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Renu Gupta's avatar

Without knowing the term zentangle - I found myself doing patterns this week off my head.

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

That’s wonderful, Renu! I love when synchronicity happens. Thanks for reading and chiming in— much appreciated.

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