Wednesday 1 July 2009

The idea of collage.....


Collage seems to be the buzz-word in Blogland at present. Art Propelled, who makes the most beautiful wood sculptures and sometimes puts them together in what could probably loosely be called collages, made some ten-minute collages on her blog last week. Derrick (Melrose Musings) had a go at it too. There is something very free and creative about collage - and if, like me, you are no good at drawing, it is possible to put together a pleasing picture.

And that is what creative work is all about isn't it? I am not talking about "great art" here, I am thinking of creative work which gives the creator a feeling of satisfaction.

The time is fast approaching (August 1st) when those of us who did a "bundle" are going to have to post a creative work which we have made from it. At present my bundle sits in my work room, surrounded by the detritus which was once inside it and is now sitting there waiting for me to put it together - I think I shall do a kind of collage, so watch this space.

My greatest difficulty art-wise is that I cannot be "free". I suppose, if I think about it, it applies to other areas too - I have to have a tidy house, I have to file things away, I do not have the ability to just splash paint/materials around and see what happens.

Some years ago, cleaning out a drawer in my parents-in-law's house, I came across a tin full of little keys. What to do with them? You can see what I did with them in the picture - I got a piece of linen and laid the keys on the linen in straight lines and fastened them down. The result is quite a pleasing picture as you can see, and it sits on my kitchen wall. But you have to agree - it is not "free".

So, take heed, I have found a few more little treasures in another drawer and (spurred on by Robyn and Derrick and several other bloggers who have done similar collage work) I intend to "let it all hang out" as they say. No more straight lines and neat and tidy pictures - my next effort (and it may well include my bundle) will be, for want of a better word, exuberant.

That is, unless I lose my nerve!

26 comments:

steven said...

hello weaver, there's a lot of letting go in order to let life happen. the fear is that more gets let go of than had planned. i think your key work is easy to look at and nicely organized. that's alright isn't it?! i am looking forward to seeing what you create for august. a musician i admire has sage advice that i'll paraphrase: go as far as you can and then retreat to a more comfortable place. have a peaceful day. steven

ArtPropelled said...

Weaver, i think letting go takes practice. (like a 10 minute collage a day:-)
I do like your framed key piece. There's something wonderful about old keys, isn't there?

Heather said...

You've told us all now Weaver, so we are expecting exuberance!! No backing out! I love your key collage - the shape of keys is very appealing - I have a row of them above a window in our living room. Like you I am not 'free' enough and they are arranged according to size in a sort of Angel of the North shape.

Leenie said...

Thanks for reminding us to loosen up and enjoy. I have stuff like that which needs a frame. I will keep your ideas in mind.

Anonymous said...

Set yourself free this time... if not now, when?.... The keys are a wonderful thing.. but they are organized, neat and tidy. Let this be your time to go with no particular flow....

Jane Moxey said...

Here's a good quote: "Out of clutter find simplicity. From discord find harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." Attributed to Albert Einstein. I love your key collage and look forward to seeing what you come up with that you would call exuberant! Who said that you have to "let go" to do something that is artistic and pleasing? Joy and satisfaction come from the actual doing of any creative work, if the internal critic can be silenced!

Woman in a Window said...

Be nerve! What do you have to lose?

I love the keys. Such beauty in the old things.

Cloudia said...

I adore your keys!
I like to collect locks;
perhaps we should get together...

Thanks for the thoughts on creative work.
Aloha!

Comfort Spiral

Midlife Roadtripper said...

"No more straight lines and neat and tidy pictures - my next effort (and it may well include my bundle) will be, for want of a better word, exuberant."

Oh, you go girl. Stepping out of the box. I, too, have difficulty with art. Collage offered me an opportunity to not feel so unable in the artistic world. Have fun with your project.

Penny said...

I think we need people who love order in their lives, I know I am certainly not one of those but it is fun to step out of your box occasionally. I noticed that the keys are not all quite in order, one faces the other way, enough to make one look again!
Loved your story, I cant write to save my self and I dont really much like collage but have a go every so often. I admire people who do what I cant and that is what life is all about.

Unknown said...

Hello Weaver,

Thanks for the mention! Like you, I can't draw and I found the collage simple to do. The ten minute factor also helps with the sense of letting go! Can't wait to see your exuberant bundle - or anything else that takes your fancy!

The Weaver of Grass said...

I like that advice Steven - it is very sound.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Maybe one every day then Robyn.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Heather - do you think it is something to do with our age that we cannot be "free" in our art work. I would love to be and I strive to be but rarely pull it off.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Leenie - someone gave me a lot of frames, which makes it easy for me. I do think laying a frame on a piece of work somehow defines it.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Karen - I am trying to go with the flow - have been trying for years - but not with a great deal of success.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Jane - agree about the internal critic! My late husband, a water colourist had a motto on the wall of his studio "Keep it simple"

The Weaver of Grass said...

Woman in a window - I will try!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Cloudia - don't expect my keys would open your locks though.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Midlife jobhunter - agree with what you say - I do see collage as a way in to being freer with ones work.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Penny - I think we often admire people who have a talent we wish we had. I would have loved to have a good singing voice rather than a mediocre one.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Derrick - I really enjoyed doing it.

Mistlethrush said...

There's nothing wrong with being orderly - I hope! I like your key collage.

Kim Palmer said...

So you have found the key collage. I love it too Pat. I always look at keys and can't help but wonder about the places they open, and what will be behind them. I find them addictive in this sense and cannot help myself from looking at them. They are almost addictive in some way for me! I'm glad you put this up.

Anonymous said...

So simple and so effective, Pat.

I do like the displaying of objects outside their conventional context. We have several old print founts which, when we move and have more space, I shall fill with a selection of the tiny odds and sods that we've gathered over time.

BT said...

Oh Weaver, I have just that problem. My art tutor used to say 'just take it further'. I never knew what he meant. I'm far too methodical. I'd probably have done the same with the keys! It's lovely and pleasing to me.