Kelly P. Colstom, a mixed media artist currently featured in "Somerset Sew", inspired me with her one-word prompted collage projects.
First you tape the edges of a piece of cardstock. Next, you start with a simple one word prompt, such as "orange", "petal", or "triangle". For my project I chose "crackle". Then you proceed to make the collage. Don't try to make anything "pretty", just let colors, textures, and words lead you. Follow your first instinct. I utilized tracing paper, acrylics, matte medium, and various scraps of paper to create my collage. I then layered the papers on top of one another, topped off with the tracing paper. The tracing paper "crackled" when exposed to heat so I continued to expose its edges and burn. I love the way thin paper curls up when burnt - it creates a sort of softness that catches the eye when juxtaposed with burnt edges.
To finish off Colston recommends working over the collage on a sewing machine. I tried this technique but unfortunately my sewing machine wasn't able to handle the thickness of the cardstock. For those of you that do use a sewing machine make sure that your piece is thoroughly dried before doing so. As an alternative I used embroidery thread as a form of "free thought".
Some quotes by Colston that I fell in love with:
"A collage is like a dream on paper."
"Embrace (collage) with the eye of an adult, but the heart of a child."
Start with a collage on cardstock, with painters tape sealing off the edges.
Use layering to achieve interesting effects, letting portions of underlying layers show through.
Just like "free form" writing, let your needle do as it wants.
Use colors that appeal to you. Don't second-guess yourself. Just grab and go.
Thank you Kelly Colstom!
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