RHYTHMS and WONDERS BEYOND PICTURE BOOKS - COLLAGE
My life beats to a rhythm of wonder and curiosity, beyond 
picture books. I would like to share some of my passions, pursuits and accomplishments. These, and childhood memories, offer the seeds of the children’s picture book stories and poems that I write.
CAPTURING THE MOMENT IN COLLAGE
My drawings are not identifiable, unless they are of leaves. I have always wanted to illustrate my thoughts, to add color and dimension. So I tried collage. The entries in my journals over the past five years include text and collage. These complement each other as I post and describe photos and projects. I always include poems or quotes that enhance my thoughts.
Two years ago a group of women began a group called Creative Expressions, which I facilitate. Since the beginning of the pandemic we’ve been creating together once a week over ZOOM. Collage on a theme is often our individual project. I might present a Doodle that one can copy and then use any medium, including collage incorporating the doodle, to create. We pour our thoughts and feelings onto paper. We then share and discuss our creations. Incredibly therapeutic.
The collage on the right began with a doodle. I used Zentangle designs and repeated the original shapes in cut paper.
I cut words, phrase, pictures and letters out of magazines, newspapers and brochures and save them in a file. I also keep quotes and poems in a folder on my desktop.
Origami paper is beautiful to use in a collage.
“Whatever lifts the corner of your mouth, trust that.”
I built the bright collage on the right from a doodle.
Making a collage is transcendent when you need a respite from work, writing, or when you feel like being your 5-year-old self. You can escape to another world, real or imagined.
Give it a try. If you have any questions, ask me!