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Collage has long been a favorite medium since it allows one to play with all the elements of art in a 2-D space without making an immediate commitment. It also indulges the packrat in me: I have squirreled away letters, cards, menus, tickets and various paper ephemera since I was a young child. At this week long workshop, I met many other people who like me, had collected paper, handmade, printed, stamped, commercial, wrapping, maps, old paper money, postage stamps, antique books and music scores and more over the years. We created collages using our precious papers combined with Xeroxed images of our own photographs, finally embellishing and pulling together our designs with paint and crayon.
Our instructor, Maureen Brouillette, started each day with a demonstration of her own technique. She creates strong, contemporary images with a whimsical feel to them. She guided us all gently through the process encouraging individuality and personal styles. At the end of the week I came away with twelve finished collages. It was a marvelous week of intense focus through seven hours each day, with just the midday break for lunch. I barely looked up from my work table during the classroom hours and felt a great sense of satisfaction from the flow of creative energy.
I strongly recommend looking for Maureen's workshops if you enjoy collage and mixed media.
Although I have not made any new collages since I have been back, I have again been hoarding my little bits of paper that I know will be the perfect piece in a work some time. I can't wait to get back to the studio!
