It’s been a while since I had time, inclination and motivation to create. Add in the fact that I needed to set up a space to actually work, it has taken some effort to get started. So with a supply of fresh cradle boards, I can now begin…but a blank canvas can be daunting even if inspiration is not in short supply.

I often get questions on how I begin…how do you start? where do you start? where do you get your ideas?

I thought I’d walk you through my process…its always a little different for each person, especially if you are dealing with mediums other than paper and glue…but the important part is to begin…don’t hesitate, don’t over-complicate, don’t whine…just begin.

I usually find one slip of paper, one tidbit of ephemera, one interesting image that grabs my attention and provides the stimulus for building the story of the collage composition. Since I was combing through mounds of paper in setting up my new work space, whenever I spied something of interest, I pulled it out and set it aside.

Years ago I found an old school photograph…the annual class photo…in this case a class of third graders if I had to guess.

I’ve used various versions of this photo…sometimes the entire class, sometimes just a few individuals…but my favorite has been a cropped version of three of the young girls, but just their legs. Once I had that image to start, I began collecting other pieces to tell the story…of three young girls starting off in the world…where would they go, what would they explore and discover, the passage of time, the roads to be taken.

Auditioning, as I call it, is my process of pulling pieces together…seeing what fits, where it might fit, what helps the story along and likewise, what hinders it. Color, texture, pattern and tone are the four elements that guide the auditioning process.

My initial choices included a vintage road map with perfect tones and colors, the lines of the roads provide movement. A monoprint of a floral leaf picks up the floral pattern in one girl’s dress. The circles capture more movement and the watch face brings in the element of time.

Once I have my final selections, I begin the process of placement and determining what needs to be glued into place first and how the process of layering will occur. I’ve used an old journal page for background combined with a ledger page on the right side. Each element provides some interest in the background without too much distraction. I swapped out the monoprint of the floral leaf with a cyanotype I created with the same leaf - the color is stronger and helps to anchor the composition.

I needed some element to express time but the watch face didn’t seem to work. BEGIN is one of my favorite words and seemed just right for the start of one’s life. Old stencils, with just the right touch of blue paint from a previous use blends in with the color scheme. A scrap of collage paper that I created with paint on kraft paper fits in next to the photograph and repeats the blue color connection.

The stencils on their own didn’t seem to stand out enough. An old peely paint wood scrap not only helps to highlight the word but the build-up of the half inch piece of wood gives dimensional interest. Finally, a sprig of dried oregano is placed at the top for balance. I haven’t actually attached it yet...I’m still considering other options.

Though this seems like everything feel into place with little effort, it’s not always that way. Sometimes I audition plenty of pieces in all sorts of arrangements before I start gluing anything in place…and sometimes, I just have to gather up what I’ve collected, keep it in a pile and then start again another day with a fresh perspective.

I hope I’ve provided some insight that will help you with whatever you are working on…for me, its back to the worktable…I have a deadline approaching for a spring event…time to begin on the last composition.

FYI…needing some vintage ephemera to inspire you? I’ve pulled together some mixed media collage kits, using an old leather book cover for the foundation of your creation. Papers, ephemera, a weathered tin, ribbons and buttons are included too -the kits are on sale through the month of March…get all the details here Vintage Ephemera Kit