Project #42 Collage Portfolio

 

Above is a collage by Lance Letscher, Bird Trap, 16 x 20".  Letscher often uses pages from vintage magazines and children's books in his work as well has his children's drawing and school work on lined paper.  

He collects and organizes the ephemera that he uses by color or theme.  He carefully cuts most of the images that he uses out whereas other artists such as Elizabeth St. Hilaire below both cut and tear their ephemera. St.Hilaire also has a collection of paper ephemera to use in her work. 

Elizabeth St. Hilaire collage, Granny's Apple

If you create collages often or use collage elements in mixed-media works or paintings creating a collage portfolio is very useful.  You can make a portfolio by folding a large piece of paper or poster paper and taping the sides or use a box or plastic bin.  Whatever container works best for you.  

Things you can put in your portfolio and continually add to.  Found papers, printed papers, xeroxes, old school papers, paint color samples, magazine pages with nice images or colors, old book pages.  Leftover bits from projects.  Used wrapping paper and packaging.  Printed paper napkins.  Bits of used fabrics.  Old unwanted photographs.  Old book pages that can be cut up.  Tape transfers, see Project #43. 

There are many collage artists whose work you can look at, past and present.  This article includes some of the most famous.  

Below are a few more contemporary collage artists. 

Daniel Entonado 

Nathaniel Mary Quinn

Derek Gores

The images below show some examples of ephemera that I keep and continually add to.  I have both a paper portfolio for larger papers and a plastic bin for small papers.  

This is a great way to repurpose things.  If you are working with a friend or friends on a project you can share or trade papers.