As Seen in Cloth Paper Scissors
November-December 2007

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I began creating my Happy Gam Road Collection of collage pieces while I was in Miami enjoying an art weekend with my friend Renee.  I had finally come up with an idea for using all those window and door photos I took in Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA two summers ago.   

Each piece features a window or a door from my photo collection and a quote or word reminiscent of home.   By getting out of my comfort zone creatively, the result is a series of collage pieces that are colorful and quirky. 

I use deli paper on my work table and I pour paints onto them, wipe brushes on them, etc.  I have been saving all of these papers to use one day in collage or other projects.  I used these papers for the backgrounds. 

Here's how I made these collage pieces:

Materials:

Photos or copies of photos
Old book papers, maps and ledger papers
Scrapbook papers
Assorted acrylic paints
Stencils
Paint brushes
Deli paper
Black pen
Quotes or words printed onto transparency film
PVA Glue
Bristol 400 Series paper cut to size of desired collage
Rubber stamps

Technique:

1. Prepare the deli paper by using several pieces as under papers while you work on other projects with acrylic paints.

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2. Using PVA glue, adhere torn pieces of old book papers, ledger pages or maps to one side of the Bristol paper.  Let dry or heat set.
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3. Select the photo you intend to use and select a piece of deli paper that coordinates with it.  Adhere the deli paper to the collage with PVA and let dry.  Trim edges if necessary.

Hgr3Hgr4 4. While the paper is drying, select random papers to coordinate. Measure and cut from this paper a roof for the door or window photo.

5. Adhere the photo and the roof to the collage with PVA.
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6. Next, add doodles with a black or colored pen, torn pieces of small paper, rubber stamped images, and stencils to the collage.
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7. Last, adhere quote or words which have been printed onto transparency film to the collage with PVA. You can also cut words from a novel or old book.

Finished

Uses:

1. Scan and print note cards from your collage. Open an Etsy shop and sell your work!

2. Frame original or a print and give as a gift.

3. Scan, print and tear pieces of the collage to use in other work.

4.  Use a photo of your own home’s front door or windows or better yet, maybe a friend’s home.
What a great gift idea!