This design was started back in October and I put it aside for a while to think about the composition and colors. Sometimes the creativity flows easily, and other times I feel unsure what direction to take. The colors were good to start with; I liked the teal, turquoise and reds and ochre. Then I got hung up on some details. The best thing to do is set it aside and work on something else.

Sometimes putting a mat around it helps see the values, shapes and general conflicts the design may have. An old song came to mind and I added some sheet music. Once I start playing around adding other shapes and accents, the composition starts to resolve itself. I worked from a sketch of my husband’s old guitar, which has come undone, making some of the design elements more interesting. Collage is a forgiving medium to work with. Any adjustments, additions or corrections can be made by gluing another piece on top of the initial shape. That is one of the reasons why I paint my acrylic papers using a lighter weight paper and the finished result appears to be a painting, not a bunch of thick, heavily glued papers. The finished product is seamless and smooth. Using a paper towel and brayer also flattens the papers and removes any excess acrylic medium from the surface.

I was critiquing it the second time and realized that changing the format from vertical to horizontal would benefit the design. Finally it was nearing the finish. Just a few more additions to the surface were needed. I added more pieces of music papers over the bright yellow, which I thought didn’t help the continuity of colors I began with. A limited palette always ensures harmony. I was pleased with the finished composition. For me, working with collage has unexpected surprises and is challenging and rewarding if you stick with it.