Riding the Wave
A Window into the Creative Process of New Collage Works
This week, I’ve finally settled into my usual cadence. After getting a few things off my plate, I finally had time to focus on collaging. I pulled some of the past creative challenges on the Paris Collage Collective website and created fresh work. The image prompts are just what I needed– an inkling or spark to coax me back to a creative flow. Starting from scratch is always time-consuming. And, honestly, in this fast-paced, ever-changing world, our time and attention are the most valuable resource. I don’t want the lack of time to be an excuse for not doing any creative work. So, whatever it takes to remain committed to making art, I will consider it. PCC has helped me do this.
In keeping with the mid-century modern aesthetic, I experimented with mixing and matching patterns to create this piece. Incorporating torn magazine pages left it rough and not as fine-tuned as my past collages. It seemed to work well so I went with its organic look and feel. I think it’s always good to shake things up a bit.
Next, I jumped into this week’s challenge. Flickr has a great resource for public domain images via The Commons. I signed up for an account during the pandemic and used it to save them in galleries for future reference. There, I discovered a photograph featuring a reclining gentleman, whose pose harmoniously complemented the Eiffel Tower. From the tower's isosceles shape, I conjured a flurry of images depicting angles and mathematical equations. I used these elements to finish off the collage. As you can tell, I love this dark teal color and continue to use it in several of my pieces.
This next prompt was challenging. I deliberated between a rugged aesthetic and a polished appearance. I initially experimented with bold colors and graphic typography, momentarily satisfied but soon doubting my choice. Perhaps I went too far. Consequently, I created an alternative version that I ultimately posted on Instagram. What are your thoughts?
As my favorite prompt of the week, I drew inspiration from one of Irving Penn’s books pictured below. I knew right away that the flower would be the perfect element for a headpiece. This collage came together without much effort. The rest of the elements just fell into place from the fashion image, the background pattern, to the flower illustration. When the idea is formed from the get-go, I find that the process is swift and sure.
Lastly, for a friend's milestone birthday last month, I crafted a special collage. Knowing her love for Russian literature, I incorporated a picture of onion-shaped domes, synonymous with Russian Orthodox churches and juxtaposed them with archival handwritten letters. Additionally, this photo of a lady riding a bicycle while blowing a horn worked so well. I’ve always wanted to include it in one of my pieces and glad it made its way to this one. To amplify the celebratory atmosphere, I added some animation.
When the flow strikes, I ride the wave. These creations weren't made all at once, but rather over several evenings before bed. Over the years, I shifted my mindset and trained myself to work incrementally. Plenty of artists and writers have employed this approach. If at all possible, I seize any time between tasks as an opportunity for "creative time” even if the results were failures. Focusing on the process instead of the outcome is what keeps me going. Consistency and patience are key to this lifelong commitment. These collages are far from perfect, and that's what makes the medium so enjoyable. It embraces a range of styles, from refined to messy and everything in between. It's forgiving and fun!
Your turn, dear readers, how do you sustain that which you cherish in your life? How do you ride a wave when it hits you? Share them in the comments below. I am always curious to read your thoughts. Also, feel free to let me know what think of these latest collages.
Thank you for spending part of your day with me. See you all next Sunday!
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I love the kid with the balloons!
This was such a great read. Thank you for turning me onto the Paris Collage Collective. It’s helped fire a spark that I didn’t know was there.