Progress on the 100 Day Collage Challenge

I've almost filled up this book. Once it's last few pages have a square on them, it'll be 80 days worth of collage.

I've learned a few things but still have so much more to learn. I do this by practicing every day. Not just with collage, but also still with mosaic and doodles that I've done for years, watercolor, and the newer fun of learning how to create junk journals, sticker books, art journals and painting/doing collage on cardboard of all kind.

For this 100 Day Collage Challenge, I gather the hand made collage papers I've made and put them together for use to make sure I like them together. These are the ones I am working with now.

 

I have discovered I'm using too many in a small space. So the next group of 5 will be less. I have so many papers I tend to keep grabbing thinking I'll have no problem filling in the 3-1/2 inch space. Even after months of creating them, I finally realized using less would make the small space more cohesive.

I often just rip them if they're not difficult to rip. Sometimes I cut them. I decide that once I start the new first set of 5 and go with that theme until the next set. I have to tape down the page I'm working on now because I'm so close to the end of the book.

As I shared before in a previous post or two, once 5 days are finished I glue the papers onto a separate board. I have almost filled up 3 boards.

I don't have boards in this size now, so the next grouping will be on something that I haven't decided on just yet. I have a lot of wood floating around that I use for mosaics, so it's possible I will use some pieces to add collage to. Actually it's very likely.

Here's a few of my favorites so far from the book.

The big black "O" was painted on paper and cut out, the center part as well, to add here.

An experiment with the wrong kind of paper and coffee produced some crumbled globs that I kinda dig a lot. A piece is along side the 3 black dots, upper right. What a great texture!

All of these papers were one-of-a-kind and I'm mourning them. They were so pretty. Almost all of them came from the rubber roller clean off from Gelli plate prints. Many I've been using come from it, more than the Gelli plate prints because they don't always work out too well but you gotta clean off the roller before the paint dries. The exception is the bottom right which is a piece from a watercolor I did.

I'm really enjoying this path into a new (to me) art form. Please stay with me if it's enjoyable for you as well. And if it's not, thank you for staying so long. I'm very grateful.

Until next time ...

Enjoy the journey.

Cindy aka EarthMotherMosaics

https://artbyearthmothermosaics.com

 

Happy New Year!

 I know I'm a little late in my wishes, but I hope 2025 hasn't been too awful for you so far. There's so many changes happening right now.

As always, I take the first 3-4 months away from mosaic making to focus on other things during the new year. Usually I clean the studio; make notes as to what I might need once I begin making mosaics once more. This year was a little different and I'm happy with how it's going so far.

In January, I took a free online class on how to make collage papers. It was an eye-opening experience and one I've fully embraced. I've loved abstract collage for years; even made a few calling them "paper mosaics". Here's an example of one made in 2012 using old business cards.

 After the online class, I started to play with acrylics and different kinds of papers to find what I liked and didn't. That led me to purchasing my first Gelli plate. I'm so in love with this art form and the way to make collage fodder is endless!

Using my old doodles, ink stamped papers and even paper towels used to wipe off paint brushes, I stumbled onto something not only easier on the hands but joyful to create.

 

 

For those who are curious about my mosaic making, no worries. I'll still be making them too. In a few weeks, around the time Spring has appeared on the calendar, I'll be back in the studio to make a few small mosaics for Etsy.

At some point, I'd really love to have enough collage art to sell. It seems I have found an alternative for those bad hand days using the tools to cut glass and tile and still be creative. I'm so grateful for that.

As far as where to sell them, that's a whole bothersome thing for me to figure out. Perhaps I'll open a second Etsy shop once I have enough art to make it worthwhile. My website doesn't get a lot of traffic and I've got mugs, totes and pillow covers available featuring my art and photography and haven't sold a thing. That's fine ... not every one can buy art or items for their home ... but that doesn't mean I won't keep creating. 😁

Sunflower By The Water Throw Pillow

 

Meanwhile, I'm reorganizing the Purple Palace. I just got a lamp for the table (not shown here) and I've upgraded to a higher desk to work on. I used a small card table for years (now next to the desk on the right side wall) but my body wants/needs something more comfortable. A small computer desk fits nicely in this space. I obviously still have a lot to do. I could use some shelves or book cases to hold my supplies. Maybe by summer I'll have it all organized. 😅 Quite a few mosaics hanging on the right side were gifts I've received from other mosaicists over the years. They inspire me. 💜

 All those boxes you see in this photo above are filled with supplies, stained glass and dishes. All should be on shelves and in clear containers for easy viewing. The budget for these things is minimal but possible. Slow and steady ...

Back to collage work: I've started a book with a collage a day for 100 days using papers I'm still making daily. I choose 5-7 papers and use them for 5 days. This is to learn what I like and don't like with textures and papers and designs. Once the 5 days are through, I add the combination to a large canvas panel.

Day 36/100 created 03.01.2025

First canvas panel

 

So much color surrounds me these days. Happy me!

That's what's been happening here in my part of the world. I'll share more collage, more mosaics and doodles too in the months to come.

Enjoy the journey.

 Cindy aka EarthMotherMosaics

https://artbyearthmothermosaics.com