Ancient Wrath, Collage, October 2010, 9x12 inches, by Andrea Harrison
Andrea Harrison and I go way back to high school. Every now and again over the years we’d bump into one other and update each other on the paths our lives were taking. I soon discovered that Andrea, a Project Manager who works for a local firm, longed to connect with her creative side… something she felt she got from her Mom, a painter. A great supporter of Collage Your World, she registered for my Basic Collage Workshop the minute she found out I was holding classes. Here are her thoughts regarding her (above) piece “Ancient Wrath”:
When I first had the chance to see Michelle Casey’s “Pieces of Me I” exhibition at the Studio of Conceptual Design, I couldn’t decide which collage I wanted to buy because I loved them all! It was a very tough decision, but I finally selected two collages which are now proudly displayed in my home.
Next, after seeing the show, I wanted to learn the intuitive process behind making a collage so I decided to take her Basic Collage Workshop. I also wanted to learn how to approach questions of layout, focal point, choosing background imagery, as well as how to use complimentary colours and various techniques to add depth and meaning to my art. This was a real challenge for me as I have trouble coordinating my clothes in the morning – and I wear solid colours!!!
My piece “Ancient Wrath” reflects my love of travel and nature. I wanted to create something that would reveal in multiple ways the sense of mythological drama I felt about Ancient Greece. I chose lightening which evokes the visual and auditory senses. I appealed to taste and touch by using imagery such as the pepper and the cacti. I combined the black and white image of a female figure with colour ones for contrast as well as juxtaposed the prickliness of a cactus with the smoothness of a cayenne pepper. The architectural images remind me of Rome and Greece while the cacti and thunderbolts are reminiscent of the natural beauty and inherent dangers of the desert. The woman in the piece is hauntingly beautiful, but beware of her thunderbolts!
I am looking forward to taking another class with Michelle as I have so much more to learn about collage art.
I can’t tell you how pleased I was to see Andrea’s collage. In the workshop she faced many challenges which she later overcame. One such was the agonizing task of tearing and cutting up images she loved – wondering if the final piece would ultimately result in “art” or just one big sorry mess! Unsatisfied with her first piece, she left the class a bit dejected but wasn’t one for giving up. At home she put much time and effort into practicing the techniques I outlined in class. Since then she has produced this as well as two other wonderful collages; she’s experimenting further with the medium; playing with both imagery and text. I personally love the way she included all the senses: sight, sound, touch and taste into her dramatic piece. Knowing she has a high pressure job, makes me applaud Andrea’s efforts to incorporate art into her life even more.
Reflecting upon “Ancient Wrath” it’s hard for me to believe she’s a first-time collagist or really bad at coordinating her outfits! I was glad she found subject matter she could relate to and conjure up with such passion. I was so caught up with her cool contemporary take on this mythical theme, that I Googled it to see if such deities of thunder and lightning truly existed in Greek and Roman mythology… they did! If you’re interested in this subject matter, here’s a link to Greek goddesses Bronte and Astrape and Roman goddess, Fulgora.
Best to you Andrea, this collage reveals the bold, talented and thoughtful artist you are. I truly appreciate your perseverance and dedication to collage and look forward to the day we can share our creative insights again in a class.
Andrea’s challenges have inspired me to take some time to reconsider my Basic Collage Workshop. This year, I’ll be developing a new more experimental course for beginners – stay tuned for updates on my website Workshop and Blog pages. For more on the Basic Collage Workshop also see my student spotlight on Jacinta Barroso.
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