Collage & Me

Although I've always enjoyed artistic hobbies and tried my hand at many different arts and crafts over the years, I have received no formal art training. My interest in collage as an interesting art form was aroused some years ago when I was casting around to find a new interest which would not entail the need to buy lots of specialised or expensive equipment. Having always loved the feel and texture of paper I enrolled on a collage/printing course at West Dean College, Chichester - and became immediately intrigued and stimulated about the possibilities of using papers and card as a base from which to create collages - with a difference! Couldn't wait to develop the techniques and expand the ideas which were sparked on that course - and its all gone on from there. From time to time I attend courses or workshops of interest, which lead to further experimentation.

A question frequently asked is where inspiration comes from, which is hard to answer because it just seems to come intuitively 'out of the blue'. I approach most new work with a completely blank mind (plus an element of curiosity) and just see what happens as I shuffle papers to and fro! Most of my designs are abstract geometrical rather than representational - because for me the excitement lies in shapes and colours and their relation to each other. In addition to abstract forms, I also enjoy creating fragments of stucco moulding, or architectural detail, building these designs basically in card but incorporating many other materials as well.

Collage can be defined as being a combination of a variety of images, shapes and materials attached together to form a new collective image, which is what makes it so exciting. By selecting an assortment of papers and linking them together I create unique sheets of paper to which surface decoration can be applied and these are then used to form abstract collages. I enjoy working with different media - often incorporating recycled material - blending textures and shapes, building up interesting surfaces decorated with paint, or plaster, or printing etc. Most collages contain the gleam of metal, a touch of gold or a glimpse of silver - there's usually a bit of a sparkle somewhere!

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