My collages begin either as a broad idea of a theme or as a piece of fabric that triggers an image. Using canvas board or another firm substance as a support, each piece is built up in layers of raw materials, with shapes created, replaced, and rearranged and embellishments chosen. The whole process is intuitive, evolutionary, and flexible until the sense of balance and form is complete.
Once the layout is finished, the work is photographed from assorted perspectives and disassembled. Psychologically, this is the hardest part! With photos used as a positioning guideline, I then carefully reassemble it using archival acrylic adhesive. Something is always changed from the original design, and it’s fun to see what it will be.
