A few weeks ago I got message in my inbox from my local art museum. They said that they are organizing a fundraiser in May that will be an exhibit of art, with the individual pieces up for auction. They were asking artist to donate ready-to-hang art for the event.
I decided I will create something and donate it. Since I’ve been working on creating collages on a canvas, I wanted to make one using something I have a lot of: papers with French text, and French correspondence–mostly postcards.
My bits and pieces
Once I selected all my papers and set them aside, I laid them on my canvas and played around with placement. I have these lovely playing cards from the 1940s, with a beautiful design in blue. I discovered that if I tear a card into 3 pieces, I can use them as accents in my large collages. I like that I can break up the basic beige tones of aged paper with bits of color.
The vintage roses help too, along with postage stamps, of course. I got the vintage rose prints from this online store. They carry so many of these printed images, originally from Germany. I have a whole drawer full. I can’t resist them!
The postage stamps are from a series printed from 1900 to 1929, called “Liberty and Peace”. I like how they are the same stamp, just different colors. They were designed by Nicolas Luc-Olivier Merson.
Putting it together
The part that takes the longest is the adhering of the papers to the canvas. I use double-sided scor tape. I am a bit disappointed that some of the papers are warped and therefore not laying completely flat, but I did the best I could do. I didn’t want to use gel medium to adhere the papers because I wanted to preserve the look and feel of the original papers.
Here’s the overall canvas.
Here are some close ups.
Next I need to get it framed. I don’t want to spend a fortune on getting something framed that I am going to give away, but if it’s going up for auction, it has to look nice and also need to be ready to hang. I have a local framing shop that I’ve been meaning to stop in at. I’ll check it out and see what their pricing is like.
Using collage to create meaningful art
Margarete,
When I saw an opportunity to learn more about collaging, I jumped at the opportunity. Somehow with confusion and a world crisis all around I lost the way to get into your classes. Today in my inbox I found examples of your lovely work. I have always thought the art of collage intriguing and want very much to get back on track to do and to learn from you. I love design and find it fascinating putting unassociated pieces together to make art. Your statement about finding the perfect rug to bring all elements within a room together was a perfect analogy of the art of collage. I am a bit timid when it comes to joining groups ie. fb. Do you have a link that would enable me to join your ‘beginner’s class’. (that is if it is not too late). What you were offering was a productive use of time as well as a beautiful distraction as we wait and hope for the best. I am grateful you have offered your talent to folks like me wanting to learn more.
I’ve sent you an email, Sandie, with some information. Let me know if you got all of your answers 🙂
What online store did you purchase your vintage rose prints from?
Here’s the site, Deborah: https://www.vintage-ornaments.com/
They’ve got so many great die-cut images.