Tag: collage

Digital Collage: Grandma Cordie

I’ve been exploring digital collage, remixing my own art and photography into new creations. (I even did a recent collaboration with Max Devereaux.)

I still prefer analog collage: it’s a more intuitive process, and I enjoy the serendipity of using what I find on my desk. There is also nothing that can replace the process of touching and interacting with physical art; it’s a much more emotional medium for me.

Digital collage, though, allows me to play with composition, use text in new ways (I don’t like printing out exactly what I need or want for an analogue piece, preferring to communicate with my art and not dictate it), and even incorporate and manipulate photos that have significance, like this one of my great grandmother.

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Security Envelopes

A pile of the patterned insides of security envelopes.
A pile of the patterned insides of security envelopes.

I use a variety of papers in my collage foundations for my art. One of favorites is security envelopes: they’re free in abundance (hello, junk mail), come in a variety of color and pattern, and add great texture to a collage.

Generally, I balance them with warmer-toned collaged papers like vintage book pages, or papers that are darker or lighter for contrast.

This afternoon, though, I collaged an index card using only security envelopes and a glue stick. The result is interesting — it reminds me of patchwork denim.

Other artists also incorporate these papers into their work. Christine Tischio of TurnstyleART uses them to create well-known character collages. Elizabeth Duffy creates beautiful lantern-like installations. Scraps of security envelopes pop up in Austin Kleon’s collages, too.

There’s also a host of inspiration on Instagram — check out #SecurityEnvelopePatterns.

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ICAD 2022

Here they are: all 61 index cards created over the past two months as part of the Index Card a Day (ICAD) project. I used the same materials as last year: 4×6″ index cards, collaged papers, acrylic paint and ink, tempura paint sticks, oil pastels, and various mark-making utensils. Visit my Instagram to see each card in more detail.

This project continues to challenge me, pushing me to focus on creating rather than judging or overthinking. And when you create consistently, with an emphasis on process over outcome and quantity over quality, magical things happen.

Read more about the ICAD daily challenge on Tammy Garcia’s website, and see some of my favorite 2021 cards here.

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