Collage - Paper Fusion - & Me

I just love paper! Its versatile, its got texture - it can be as fine as gossamer or as robust as cardboard - it can be scrunched, torn, layered, painted, dyed, stitched into, printed onto ... the possibilities are endless.

My interest in Collage as an interesting art form was aroused some years ago when I enrolled on a collage/printing course at West Dean College, Chichester, and became immediately intrigued with the possibilities of using papers and card as a base from which to create collages - with a difference! This was all very stimulating and I have been working with paper and experimenting with the decorative potential of this wonderful material ever since. It continues to be a fascinating journey of exploration, a constant development of mind and eye.

A question frequently asked, but difficult to answer, is where does inspiration come from. In my case it seems to come from the paper itself. I rarely work to a theme or a pre-planned idea, but rather let a design evolve spontaneously and allow instinct to lead me where it will. For me its an intuitive exercise, moving from indecision to 'eureka' almost by chance!

Over time I have moved away from 'traditional' collage techniques and now describe my work as Paper Fusion because my designs usually commence with the creation of new and unique paper sheets which have been formed by linking together a variety of handmade and everyday papers. These new creations are used to form the basis of my abstract designs. I enjoy building up surface texture and interest and to this end I use a combination of paints/dyes/plaster etc and often incorporate recycled materials as well. Most pieces contain the gleam of metal, a touch of gold, a glimpse of silver, a drift of beads - there's usually a bit of a sparkle somewhere!

My aim is to design decorative pieces with tactile surface textures, pleasing colour combinations - something, perhaps a little unusual, which will catch the eye and kindle the interest and imagination of the viewer.