Lessons Learned, Learning

Vintage materials Collage X Botanical Drawings & A Friendly PSA

Feb 13, 2026

Detail Image (approx. 1/6 of the total collage)

Happy Collage Friday!

I have yet to actually re-establish the Friday collage habit in 2026, but I’m trying! Today’s attempt is a commitment to a larger collage I’ve had in progress for several months. It’s hard to believe I started this 18x24 inch piece (detail image, above) on cradled Ampersand Gessoboard on June 24, 2025. It’s been nice to have something larger to slowly layer collage material onto that’s as sturdy and substantial as this deep-dish board - the only problem being it’s a little too heavy for my studio adjustable drawing table (an old hand-me-down that moves if you put too much pressure on it). So this piece tends to come out to the kitchen island when nobody’s around (the perfect height for working without hurting my back), as I subject it to the weight of me pressing each little bit of vintage paper firmly into place with a generous coat of Natural Acrylik Medium (yes, it’s spelled that way). There are many different types of mediums for collage - everyone has their favorite go-to product. I personally like this one as a plant-based and eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic/petroleum products. Acrylic products are popular, though, and I used them for many years. When using these products, it’s important to consider proper disposal methods.

Today’s PSA

For information about proper Disposal of Acrylic Products (Including mediums for collage) check out the many tips provided by Paintpetal.com

The “Non-Toxic” Label Misconception

Many acrylic paints are labeled “non-toxic,” but this primarily refers to direct human contact. It doesn’t mean the paint is safe to dispose of in waterways or that it won’t cause environmental harm. The plastic polymers in acrylic paint can persist in the environment for decades and enter the food chain as microplastics. ~ Paintpetal.com

Back to my plan (as of today)! I want to combine my passion for vintage material collage with a newfound interest in botanical watercolor and ink drawings (showcased by this little sampling from my 100-day botanical drawing series).

Vintage Materials Collage X Botanical Drawings Part I

I completed collaging several layers of paper and fiber onto my board. (I love the bonus little pops of blue and turquoise created using vintage papers combined with gelatin plate printed botanicals.) I am also fortunate to have received an amazing assortment of newspapers, magazines, and documents from a local fan who was clearing out their own stash of vintage materials.
After lightly sanding this first layer (to make sure there were no air pockets or loose pieces, I added a layer of watercolor ground.
Now, I’ll begin the process of delineating the botanicals that I want to include, starting with one of my favorite Spring flowers - the fawn lily (an early drawing in my 100-day botanical series).

In this case, however, I’ll start with pencil instead of ink. I want the focus to be a balance between the materials and the subject, asking the viewer to consider the relationship between what we leave behind and how life goes on.

Once the drawing is complete, I’ll add more of the white ground to emphasize the botanical shapes. Then, I’ll use watercolor and artist crayon to echo patterns and movement, attempting to reflect the chaos and order that exist between human and natural systems (pulling from my experience with the latter studies in my botanical drawings in this series).

Hopefully, I’ll have a finished piece to show you next week! Until then, here’s a little look back to prior Collage O posts!

Collage Friday History

For 2026, I’m hoping to highlight some past favorite Collage O posts for those of you who may be new to the circle. This week, I’m sharing a short and sweet Mini-Collage Warm-up Lesson that looks back to one of my favorite mini collages - inspired by one of my favorite childhood memories, reading Nancy Drew books. (My ragged little vintage book collection continues to tempt me into making more collages from the series.) It’s also a great way to make a thoughtful little Valentine's card collage!