The Wednesday Studio does collage

Last Wednesday in the studio we had the opportunity to make paper collages. It was the idea of our teacher and coach, Ellen Cornett. Here’s what Ellen had to say about it:

“Henri Matisse was confined to a bed at the end of his life. Unable to paint at an easel, he began his now-famous cut-outs, using hand-painted paper and scissors.

“In celebration of Draw-a-Bird Day each month, many members of the Wednesday Studio submit drawings and paintings to the blog . I thought they might find it interesting to use an unfamiliar medium to create this month’s birds. I spent a couple hours one afternoon painting printer paper in a variety of colors. 

“I supplied the paper, scissors, and glue sticks. Marian brought images of birds. The rest was up to the creative spirit of the group. I’m happy to say the class took to the project like the proverbial ducks to water.”

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It was an entirely new experience for all of us, and Ellen is right—we dove right in. I asked people to comment on their experience, if they wanted to.

Vince said he prefers drawing and sculpting to cutting and pasting colored paper but added, “Special thanks to Ellen for introducing me to yet another new medium.”

Carolyn said, “It was fun to do something different, though I felt like the collage I made needed a background. I think I should have planned better with a drawing.” 

I had a ball. I think all of us felt like newbies and thought we could do better if we kept at it. Of course, that’s how we feel about all of our art, I think.

Each of us did just one bird, except for the over-achievers Kay and Lynne.

Here are our collages, side-by-side with the actual photograph we used as a model. NOTE: The side-by-side format may not come through correctly. If the images are not arranged side by side, please let me know and I’ll give it another try.