We are all artists. An artist is often defined in a narrow way. We see an artist as someone who creates with colors, shapes, music, dance, writing and so on. Yet each of us creates every day. Mathew Fox writes, “Our life itself becomes a deep expression of who we are, what we care about, what our values are. It is our great work. To survive and thrive, in ways small and large, we depend on imagination. We call on our wellsprings of creativity to give what we have to the world, to our families, to future generations.”
Much of my life, I must make up as I go. I need to invent solutions every day, to meet the challenges of my work as well as the conflicts I encounter with those I love. Our modern era seems to value obedience more than creativity. We have given up on our creativity and say, “I can’t draw.” “I can’t paint. I am not creative.”
When we begin with the end in mind, we are able to accomplish much of value. Making a collage enables us to translate a vision that arises within us to a concrete form. It is like making a drawing of a dream image. I can make a character from my dream a companion by drawing it and putting my dream image up on my wall. The drawing allows me to remember my dream and how it felt when I was dreaming.
If I have a conflict, I can feel emotional relief when I draw it or express it with images that I find from magazines by making a collage. I can make a collage of or a vision for my life. Studies indicate that when we are creative in any way, our body releases chemicals in our brain that help us overcome sadness and depression and stress.
The word collage comes from the French word, which literally means – to glue. A collage is a piece of art made up of different materials: paper, fabric, wood, photographs, and pictures cut out from magazines or calendars. These materials are glued to paper.
In this video, Sue Renfrew, M.A., demonstrates how to collage. Get out your paper, magazines, scissors, and glue. Join in the joy of creation.
Hello, This type of art is fun, I collage with my goals, by cutting out the things, I desire out of a magazine.
I also college in redecorating my bedroom, buy cutting out materials and fabric colors, that I would desire.
I enjoy it very much.
Thank you, Paige. Please let others know.
I believe collage needs to be taught more in school, using old magazines, and other materials. I believe the students would benefit from this experience, like stress and depression.
A collage gives you a sence of accomplishment, as well.
Yes, thank you. Art supports aliveness.