Mosaic & Paintings
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The Art of CollageCollage, from the French word “coller” (to stick),is a techniquethat incorporates fragments of paper and collected or foundobjects into artistic compositions. The National Gallery of Artcredits Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso with legitimizing collageas fine art. Today any material fixed to a surface may be termedcollage.As usual, the guys get all the credit! At the risk of generalizingI think women have a genetic proclivity for collage and have beencreating it since time began.Women tend to arrange and organize, rearrange and reorganize, untilthey see a composition that is pleasing to the eye. Women do thiswith home décor, their dinner tables, their closets, theirmakeup,their apparel, you name it.Men, on the other hand, tend to leave things where they lie, findorganization in disorganization, have little concern (and may exhibitactual annoyance) if you ask them to pick up after themselves or putthings back “where they belong so you can find it when youwant it,Dear”.Women’s genetic tendency to artfully arrange things explainsthecurrent rage for scrapbooking which has evolved into a very advancedform of collage. Also in the collage category are shadow boxes,photo collages, collaged cards, framed family history or theme collages,and of course collage art (-for-art’s sake).1. Any collage starts with a theme or group of somehow relatedobjects. So look around you. Get the shoebox of family memorabiliaout of the attic. Keep your eye out for objects that appeal to youand are mountable. Just a few suggestions: beach glass, shells, smallpieces of driftwood, dried flowers and leaves, jewelry parts, charms,doll house furniture and accessories, machine parts, e.g. gears froma watch or small motor, kitchen utensils, or old silverware.You may have several groups accumulating at once; and objects may bemoved at whim from one group to another. Once you have enough in anyone group, lay them out on a table and arrange them. Let them talk toyou. Leave them for a few days, glancing at them from time to time andmoving items around until you are satisfied with the arrangement. Or ifyou’re really inspired, you may be pleased with your firstarrangement!It happens sometimes.You may want to enhance or alter some objects for a special look. Papercan be “antiqued” by carefull singeing the edgesand/or washing overthe paper with tea. Some items can be painted or shellacked. You maywantonly part of a photo. Tear or cut away the unwanted portion or create apretty mat from textured paper in a coordinated color. Objects can bepainted or colored: polka dots on a scrap of metal, a stained glassdesign painted on clear glass, a matte finish on one item that wouldotherwise clash with all the glossy ones – or vice versa.2. Depending on the size and weight of your arrangement, chooseyour substrate. If the collage will be large and heavy, considermasonite,hardboard or wood, at least ¼ inch thick. It is a good ideato glue twofirring strips to the back for support, both while you work and when yougo to hang your collage. Metal can also be used and is very effective incombination with objects welded to it.If you are scrapbooking, your substrate is most likely 12 X 12 inchpaperand your items need to be lightweight. Other possibilities are stretchedcanvas, cardboard or wooden boxes, poster board, or for cards - any typeof cardstock or decorative paper including handmade papers.3. Prepare your substrate if necessary. For example, you may need toshellac or seal if you are using wood. You may want to put a wash ofcoloror sponged pattern as a backdrop to your theme.4. Decide what you will need in order to mount your objects. Choosegluesappropriate for the object and the substrate; preferably ones which drytransparent. Try to avoid any glue seeping out from the edges bycarefullyplacing and spreading the glue and letting it come to a proper tackbeforeplacing each object on the base. Follow the manufacturer’slabelinstructions. Be sure the adhesive is permanent and, if you are workingwith photos, also acid-free. Some consumer tapes, glue sticks and liquidadhesives are not permanent or may react with photographs and cause themto deteriorate. Some of these adhesives contain acids and othermaterials,such as plasticizers or softening agents, which can migrate onto aphotograph and cause discoloration, fading and brittleness.Other possible fasteners are nails, tacks (especially decorative onessuchas upholstery tacks), pegs, bolts, glue dots, stick pins, wire and tape.Or you might take up welding. You wouldn’t be the first womanto do so!If you are a woman looking for your artistic or profitable niche, Irecommend you give some type of collage a try. It just comes sonaturallyto most women that you may find it feeds the soul, as well as thepocketbook.Collage artist artworks: http://www.cedvernay.comAbout the AuthorMs. Bergen has had a varied career, first as a special educationteacher andthan, after getting a MBA degree, as a vice president of a majorinsurancecompany. For the last eight years she has been creating and sellingher crafts.Art Articles brings you the finest and most up-to-date informationconcerningart on the Web. If you have an art related article that you would liketosubmit for possible publication, then send it in. We are always on the lookout for new and innovative pieces concerning the world ofart.
About the Author
Eileen Bergen talks about the fine art of collage and the differences between how men and woman make arrangements. Learn what you need to do in order to get started in this fascinating area of artistic expression.
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