365 Days of Art – A useful exercise for artists
Revealing
Paper collage with photo of leaf over-printed with a scan of cherry stems.
I have received some questions about a 365 Days of Art project as the basis of the collages for my Third Thoughts series of small art quilts. I started my first book of collage-a-day in 2004 when a group started with collage as its focus. The group either fell apart or I didn’t keep in touch, but I kept going.
Nothing fancy, just a beautiful Fabriano paper book and a mini-collage, a drawing, or a photo included every day. It became a type of daybook with some of my favorite quotes included. Minimalism was the key as was just doing it every day.
Chocolate
Paper collage with altered photo, found paper, ink.
In 2006, I prepared ahead of time with a Xyron machine and a subscription to House and Garden (alas, now defunct). It was a magazine with quality paper, a variety of images, images to which I could relate (I like chairs as images) and lots of peppy typography.
I would recommend going to your local bookstore and checking out all the high-end magazines (thick paper, many images) and seeing which one sparks your interest. Art magazines aren’t your best choice. Look in a section that interests you and then subscribe to a nice fat magazine that you want only to tear up and use in your own collages. Since this project is only for your own inspiration and education, no need to worry about using found images.
As soon as I received the magazine, I ripped out all the pages that had something I could use and put them in a box. Then, when I had ten minutes, I would sit and trim images and throw those in another box. Also added to the box were interesting postage stamps, duplicate photos, labels, wrappers and other ephemera. When the box was pretty full, I would haul out the Xyron and run everything through. Being prepared is the key!
I admit at times I fell behind and one time had to sit and do about 40 collage to catch up. But I’m glad to have both books as very personal resources.
Start a 365 (or art-a-day) group if you think it would help your motivation. Or just start tomorrow with what you have on hand. Have you heard the saying, “Thirty days to a new habit?” I believe it. Let me know how it goes.
wonderful idea!
January first I am starting a daily journal instead of a weekly quilt journal. A page each day will be filled with a sketch or a collage depending on my mood and how much time I have. I already picked out a journal and am itching to get at it… but I will make myself wait as I need to finish this years journals and a bunch of other commitments, and the waiting will just make it sweeter!
Lorraine – Cross-training is the perfect metaphor!
The Xyron machine makes what is basically a sheet of stickers.
You can choose re-positionable or permanent adhesive, or a magnetic back. You insert the roll in the machine and then slide your materials in.
When you crank the handle. your materials slide through and the pieces are encased in a cellophane-type top and a release paper on the back. So when you peel the cellophane-type top off, your materials are sitting on a plain sheet and have adhesive on their backs.
You do have to be careful as sometimes the edges carry extra adhesive and it is quite sticky. The older machines required you to trace around each piece before removing the cellophane-type top. How boring! I still do it if I’m working with big chunks of art materials though as they seem to be the most likely to carry extra adhesive.
It is very fast for paper collage, but I use it only for that. For heavier paper and “real” art, I always use SOBO glue or gel medium.
Hope that helps. Don’t be afraid to ask if you have further questions.
V
P.S. You can usually find Xyron machines in the big craft and hobby stores and can usually use a discount coupon. The adhesive rolls are frequently on sale.
Virginia, thanks for the inspiration. Can you explain a little more about how you use the Xyron machine? Does it put a sticky back on the material? Then how do you keep it in the box together until you’re ready to use the pieces? Or is it only sticky when pressure is applied? I looked at the device online, but couldn’t quite figure it out!
I am intrigued by the idea of a piece of art per day, but haven’t taken the plunge yet. I have a bunch of fusible fabric scraps I could use, but I think the paper collage idea could be more freeing. I think of it as “cross-training” for my work in fabric, which is why I think it would be a good idea if I could get myself to do it. I think your idea of having all the components staged and ready to go in advance could be the key.
Hi,
Another way to accumulate lots of images is to visit your local Goodwill/Salvation Army and look through the old books and magazines there. Another source might be your local library when they sell or give away older magazines. In Baltimore Maryland, we have a place called “The Book Thing” which gives away old books and magazines. And, be sure to ask your friends for their old magazines–and then, recycle what you don’t use!!
Also, to ease that transition, I always mix fabric and paper in my collages.
Thank you Virginia for continually sharing your work and inspiration. It’s all new to me so I appreciate it very much. I have an eclectic mixture of printed papers….must be time to try collage.
Virginia, you are such an inspiration!
I wanted to compliment you …. who knows who reads our blogs… but inspirational people like yourself keep sharing…. and I appreciate that because then I stumble in and Im fascinated and inspired
As far as collage to fabric…. Ive used it to go reverse cycle. Im still learning so many things and I had these images in my mind… but how to get the fabric together. Ive found that using lots of drawing and a bit of collage… well it has helped me get a better idea of how things are going to work out.
Im sure all we all ponder and then come back to our work. I find collage gets me quickly back to my thoughts…. oh to have the luxury to lock myself away for days and just live with the colors…. but alas I adore my kids!!!
Mandi – You have, believe it or not, answered your own question. Use collage as a springboard. Be inspired by the shape, the color, the texture and just start playing in fabric. Keep reading though because maybe collage will serve another purpose for you as noted by Judy.
Collage is a great way to bring up ideas that may not surface in any other way. Perhaps that is enough. Also any 365 Days of Art project can only cultivate the habits needed to be successful in any medium – show up and work!
Thank you both for writing and, as always, go with what works for you! V.
I really need to try this. I usually spend a lot of time analyzing my work and it seems like if I time-boxed this and had to do one a day I may learn to better trust my instincts and work with a little more freedom. Maybe one a day might be a bit much for me but I think I could do something like 3 a week. I just came across a stack of old magazines that I was going to toss but this may be a better use for them. Thanks for the post.
I love the idea, and your examples are beautiful, but maybe I’m dense… I have never been able to figure out how one takes the inspiration from a paper collage and translates into fabric.
I assume that you don’t try to work from it literally (certainly I can’t!). Do you use it for the shapes? For the color? Are you looking at the texture for inspiration?
I don’t do paper collage for these reasons. I can’t duplicate it in fabric. And I’ve created paper collages that I really liked and when the fabric never met up to the paper example I found I was frustrated and angry. So I’ll collage with fabric, but then you lose some of the spontaneity you have with paper.
I guess I just can’t find a way to marry to the two ideas in my mind. Makes me feel rather silly!