Using Collage to Connect to Your Inner Artist

I’ve experienced several long and rainy winters as an art therapist in the Pacific Northwest. One of my favorite activities on a rainy day is to sit with a cup of tea, soft music, candles and a basketful of beautiful magazines, finding images and words that I’m drawn to in order to create my playful collages.

The improvisational nature of creating collage helps to strengthen intuition and connect you to your spirit. Art-making helps to find ways to lessen the grip on attachment and needing to be perfect. Collage offers the opportunity to play in an exploration without mistakes. Making a collage should be a celebration of yourself and a time for deep self-care. Pulling out a magazine with beautiful images and instructing yourself to follow your heart and find what feels right is a fun exercise in play, creativity and connecting to your deeper self.

What I love about art is how it reflects life and how working through these uncomfortable feelings can often not only create beautiful works of art, but also answer questions that connect to our unconscious.

Collect several of your favorite magazines, old picture books from thrift stores, music sheets, old wallpaper, photos or copies of old photos. Remember, this doesn’t have to be done in one sitting. I keep a file on my desk filled with images that I might later use. You can also keep a shoebox full of photos that you might use later. Before you know it, you’ll have a collection of images to draw from.

Old books, magazines, glue stick, heavy paper, scissors, Mod Podge for a final touch, soft instrumental music. In the beginning stages, it might be helpful if you have the time to sit and meditate; center yourself before starting your collage.

Find a time when it’s quiet and you won’t be interrupted. It can also be meditative to sit and cut out images even when people are watching TV or listening to music or with a group of friends. Maybe find a question that you want to ask to help guide you through the process. Is there something that you’re struggling with and need to find answers? Or maybe you just want to see what arises in the present moment. Remember, there are no rules, just enjoy the exploration!

The third step will be your process step. This will be where you’re going to rip or cut out images and words that you’re drawn to. Try not to second-guess or judge the images that you’re drawn to; just collect. Let that inner wisdom guide you and trust it. Once you have a pile of images and words, start organizing and putting together your composition. Don’t worry about creating a masterpiece; this is for your eyes only. It is your personal prayer or meditation, your self-exploration. This art piece should be about understanding yourself on a deeper level. This step should be fun and relaxed.

When you’re done, step back and admire. Try turning your art around and looking at it from four different angles. Notice what feelings arise for what you have done. Notice what your eyes jump to first and what stands out as being the prominent element. Look for patterns in images, colors and movements. Take a moment to journal about your art piece. It may take time to see the meaning in your art; for that reason I recommend placing this where you can see it on a daily basis. You’ll be amazed at what will emerge in the images and the meaning for your life.

Go wild... the sky’s the limit!