It started when I saw a collage on the cover of a book catalogue. I couldn’t believe that someone created this new world of wonder, from a bunch of cut outs. The scale was impressive and inspiring, and I knew with great certainty that I wanted collaging in my life.
The rest they say is history.
I jumped in with both feet. I worked at a metaphysical bookstore, so I had access to some wonderful imagery. I started to collect images and began making simple collages by putting images beside each other on the page. These were enjoyable, but were missing the alchemical process that collaging affords, where images transform when “fused” together.
I started to venture more deeply by experimenting with having my imagery play together more, and letting whimsical and evocative interactions occur between pieces. I knew I was hitting the sweet spot, when a new narrative would shine forth and my collages felt a little otherworldly. I learnt to position pieces just so, as to help express emotions and story through my work. I learnt to feel when a collage was complete, with my favourites being made from as little as 3 or 4 images, so the meaning shone out with clarity and simplicity.
I explored more collaging through making Art Trading Cards, Vision Boarding and playing with a friend making collages together, taking turns adding imagery and having no control over the outcome.
A friend from the bookstore heard I was getting into collaging and brought my attention to a book by a psychologist named Seena Frost, who was using collaging in her counselling practise, helping clients find access to their inner intuition through dialoguing Gestalt style, with their collage cards. She developed her process over many years and then shared it, training others and writing a book about it. SoulCollage Evolving was an important read for me, as it helped me understand and give me the tools to explore more deeply what my collages meant.
I decided to study with Seena and became qualified to facilitate the SoulCollage Method. I have delved deeply into creating my own deck and helping others do this too, working with people who are grieving, youth and men’s groups as well as others along the way.
Other Collage projects that I continue to develop along side Soul Collaging are: vision boards, landscapes and vintage collages made from old children’s books and written excerpts. No other art form has ever captivated more, and I continue to explore and play 30 years later.
