A dear art teacher to whom I sent an image of this week’s collage, floated the idea that I might have found my artistic voice. “Who would have imagined, the writer is also a paper artist!” I couldn’t help but chuckle as I read her note.  I have always loved pretty papers be it wallpaper, gift wrap, art papers, even gorgeous party napkins.

My initial idea for the collage at the left was to create arrangements of white flowers in colorful vases. But these three papers called out to me and by the time I’d fashioned them into my vases, I realized there’d be no room for flowers and greenery.  The greenery moved up from a supporting role to leading role.  I made it up as I went along, painting the stems and a few leaves and then painting watercolor paper in various greens and then snipping them into leaves and a few odd seed pods and closed blossoms. I am pleased with the outcome. I could pick the collage apart and tell you what doesn’t please me.  Instead, I look at those “misses” as lessons for the next time.

Perhaps my teacher is right, the writer is drawn once again to creating with paper. Collage adheres my sensory loves: beautiful papers, painting, scissors and glue. I don’t know what’s next, and that’s part of the fun, too.