The Future of Collage O
The Future of Collage O
Finding balance - in more ways than one
Hello Collage Circle Fans!
It’s been nine months since I started sharing here about art from an analog collage perspective. In some ways, it feels so much longer, and in others, it seems like I’m just getting started! While I still plan to introduce the topic of “Balance” (below), it seemed fitting that I also talk about my plans going forward—balancing the Collage O project with my other studio projects.
First, let me just say it's been an honor to share my newfound passion for college here with you. My own collage practice has definitely grown and has become freer yet more focused as I’ve used this experience to hone in on the materials and stories I want to share with each piece.
Over 100 collages later, I am learning to trust my instincts more and find opportunities in creative mishaps and unusual materials.
At the same time, I now realize in my initial enthusiasm that I over-reached with my goals for my first year running
.The Future of Collage O
I still plan to continue *mostly* weekly posts about collages with mini-art lessons built into the process. However, I do not plan to continue posting video content (unless it happens organically), and I will be delaying the year-end virtual collage show to Spring/Summer 2025 (depending on interest).
If you want to know more about why and how I made the decision to change the format and deliverables for this collage circle Substack (as well as changes to my Patreon account), you are welcome to read more there.
In short, I was on the edge of burnout after an incredibly busy summer going into a fairly busy Fall. I needed to carve out more studio time while protecting my mental health.
So what does that mean?
I will be taking a few weeks off here and there this Fall for personal commitments before resuming regular Friday collage posts. Posts will be made available to all subscribers - free or otherwise.
So if anyone needs a refund for a subscription that feels unfulfilled, please, please feel free to reach out! I am happy to make it right. While I hope you will stay (either with a paid or free subscription), please feel free to unsubscribe (and/or request a refund) if you need to as well. I take no offense and completely understand!
If you have a Collage Package Membership - you will receive 1 extra package (as a replacement for the collage art show entry fee). If you prefer a partial refund, those arrangements can be made as well.
The Collage O “About” page and Collage Package Membership will be updated in September to reflect these changes.
Compositional Balance
Onward - to the art!
As with life, balance in art can take time and patience to achieve, often being found in unexpected ways.
Smarthistory.org defines compositional balance as “an even use of elements.” I think it helps if we think of “even” as the weight of an element (not necessarily the size or similarity).
For example, I consider this collage “balanced” in a few different ways.
The bold contrast of gold and black of the top left…
acts as a counterbalance to the light, patterned elements in the rest of the piece.
is reflected in and balanced by the black half-moon directly beneath it.
balances the larger circular movements created with stitches.
In this sense, “even” does not necessarily mean replicating the exact same element on each side of a piece. It references the perceived “weight” of the elements. The dark background and bold moon shape weigh heavier than the rest of the piece due to the stark contrast of the opaque colors and well-defined shape. It uses the larger, patterned, ambiguous, open spaces abutting it to keep it in balance.
As I think about the different ways we balance life as well as art - it seems fitting that this piece is titled “Beauty in Uncertainty.”
Studio Balance
In another kind of balancing act - I’ve had to rearrange my studio to support the work I need to get done over the next few weeks. It also gave me a chance to finally set up the Viking machine I just received back from the repair shop. What a powerhouse! It handles layers of collage without a problem. I can see this is going to be fun!
I also had a great time sharing my antique “Wizard” machine at a show last weekend.
A lot of people wanted to know if I use this machine with my collages. The answer is currently “no,” but I hope to take it to the same shop as my other machine and get it working again. It makes for a beautiful show prop, though!
Once again - thank you for being here! As I’ve learned to be more focused with my collages, I hope to learn the same for this amazing little experiment called
! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed sharing my collage table with you and look forward to continuing to do so into 2025.Happy Collaging,
Jennifer