We're in our sixth and final week of the studio journal class, and this week the focus is on collage.
Collage can be defined as "an assemblage of diverse elements" (per Dictionary.com). Of all the design techniques/exercises that Sharon has given us so far, this feels the most comfortable to me. I think that's probably because it most closely approximates the way I work: gathering and assembling an assortment materials into a cohesive whole (I hope!).
I've made a couple of collages in my journal but I don't think either of them will be taken any further into fiber. That's okay though. Practice is practice and all of it is valuable.
Speaking of taking it further, this is the challenge Sharon has posed for the month of August:
"In my chaotic and hectic life I often admire people who are able to maintain balance in their lives. What is balance to you? Do you maintain a balanced life? How do you balance aspects of your life? That is the challenge this month - balance."
The challenge of balancing our creative endeavors with the rest of the activities and demands in our lives came up often amongst the students in the studio journal class. It's an ongoing struggle, even here in the Magpie's Nest where life is pretty calm in comparison to the rest of the world!
I'm not sure there could be a better metaphor for life than collage. Don't we spend the bulk of every day trying to bring a collection of diverse elements into some kind of order? That order, whatever it looks like for an individual, creates balance in that person's life. And generally that's when we feel the calmest or most in control of our lives.
In spite of the fact that I'm trapped at home, where one could assume that my life would be very routine (ie: balanced) nearly every day brings something into my world that throws me off balance in one way or another. I don't feel that I have yet succeeded in creating a harmonious collage out of my daily life. At least, not on a consistent basis. Still working on it. In fact, I'm going to keep working on it every day I'm allowed.
Having said all that, I don't have a clue yet what I will do for my August Take It Further postcard quilt!
Collage. Yep, that sounds like life. A snip of this, glue this together, add a touch of sparkle here, oops got that too dark - what can I do to fix it? I sure hope my life collage ends up looking good. Can't wait to see what you come up with. You could always start with a fungly patch or some hand dyed/painted fabric - just an idea starter here. I know you'll come up with something great.
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