Hello Debbie, this is Artist Tricia Jacobs from Greenbelly Studios. I was researching collage as well last year. At the end of 2022, I released the 5th & 7th books in my Journal Workshop series. These two books are about collaging in your journal. You are welcome to use any of my designs in book 5 “Abstract Expressionism and Botanical Designs” for your collage art, and may find some ideas in book 7 “Collage Journal Workshop” for your own collage. I would even be happy to send you a copy of both if you message me your mailing address. They key, I have found, if taking snippets from writing and newspapers is to change a large percentage of it so that it is indistinguishable as a stand alone piece but instead is incorporated into your art as a new, original composition. Another great royalty free site I found (and just started using) is Design Cuts. All of the artwork on there, including original fonts, have a commercial license that comes with it and all are reasonably priced. I will be talking more about digital artwork in journaling and am planning to release my next book in November 2023 titled “Digital Journal Workshop.” I self publish all of my books. I hope this helps along your journey! You can find me on my website at JournalWorkshop.Trade
Oh, this was a good post, Debbie. When I started collaging in earnest years ago, I discovered ephemera (old prints: stamps, papers, etc) would not be wise to use in published works because of the copyright issues. Even scrapbooking papers were to be avoided, because they are licensed pieces of imagery. That's one reason I began creating my own painted papers.
I love that you are exploring collage, though. You are right that it frees you up into exploration, and texts of all kinds are a fabulous element. I guess they way around it would be to write things yourself, but I'm not sure it's the same. I know I love using pages out of an old dictionary when I work because the pages I choose to incorporate hold a meaning for me, and there is a kind of magic in that.
I use collage when developing compositions, looking for shape, perspective, and movement in book spreads. I’m currently considering the use of someone’s handwriting as an element in a spread. I thought you might find this blog on copyright/fair use interesting, if you don’t already know it: http://dearrichblog.blogspot.com/
Thank you for sharing - and for encouraging US to take time to play, Debbie. I personally love collage in children's books, because it adds depth (feels more 3-D to me) and gives young listeners things to explore as we read aloud to them.
My friend Jing Jing Tsong makes painted textures with physical materials, then scans them into her computer and uses them in creating digital images. I think she has (somewhat) catalogued folders on her computer of her huge archive of painted and printed textures. Maybe organized by color? They are beautiful on their own, and magic in the way she uses them in her book illustrations.
Thank you for sharing all of the copyright info and some of the lovely collage/illustrations you have created! I have been working in mixed media/collage painting for many years now and have aimed to create a painterly effect in my works..To play creatively I enjoy making smaller works in my sketchbooks . I tend to blend collage and drawing now and find it to be relaxing and more joyous then my finished works!
My current realm of creative play is woodworking and house reno. I love working on my house-- building, tiling, woodworking are my favorites. I disappear for a time into the garage, making a Christmas gift for later in the year or planning out the new design for a bathroom. It's creative exercise of a different nature than writing, and it is tremendously invigorating at the same time it is physically exhausting.
Hello Debbie, this is Artist Tricia Jacobs from Greenbelly Studios. I was researching collage as well last year. At the end of 2022, I released the 5th & 7th books in my Journal Workshop series. These two books are about collaging in your journal. You are welcome to use any of my designs in book 5 “Abstract Expressionism and Botanical Designs” for your collage art, and may find some ideas in book 7 “Collage Journal Workshop” for your own collage. I would even be happy to send you a copy of both if you message me your mailing address. They key, I have found, if taking snippets from writing and newspapers is to change a large percentage of it so that it is indistinguishable as a stand alone piece but instead is incorporated into your art as a new, original composition. Another great royalty free site I found (and just started using) is Design Cuts. All of the artwork on there, including original fonts, have a commercial license that comes with it and all are reasonably priced. I will be talking more about digital artwork in journaling and am planning to release my next book in November 2023 titled “Digital Journal Workshop.” I self publish all of my books. I hope this helps along your journey! You can find me on my website at JournalWorkshop.Trade
Oh, this was a good post, Debbie. When I started collaging in earnest years ago, I discovered ephemera (old prints: stamps, papers, etc) would not be wise to use in published works because of the copyright issues. Even scrapbooking papers were to be avoided, because they are licensed pieces of imagery. That's one reason I began creating my own painted papers.
I love that you are exploring collage, though. You are right that it frees you up into exploration, and texts of all kinds are a fabulous element. I guess they way around it would be to write things yourself, but I'm not sure it's the same. I know I love using pages out of an old dictionary when I work because the pages I choose to incorporate hold a meaning for me, and there is a kind of magic in that.
I use collage when developing compositions, looking for shape, perspective, and movement in book spreads. I’m currently considering the use of someone’s handwriting as an element in a spread. I thought you might find this blog on copyright/fair use interesting, if you don’t already know it: http://dearrichblog.blogspot.com/
I draw. Almost every day. Sometimes I follow online prompts, other times I just draw what the little voice inside my head tells me to.
Thank you for sharing - and for encouraging US to take time to play, Debbie. I personally love collage in children's books, because it adds depth (feels more 3-D to me) and gives young listeners things to explore as we read aloud to them.
So inspiring!
My friend Jing Jing Tsong makes painted textures with physical materials, then scans them into her computer and uses them in creating digital images. I think she has (somewhat) catalogued folders on her computer of her huge archive of painted and printed textures. Maybe organized by color? They are beautiful on their own, and magic in the way she uses them in her book illustrations.
What an interesting post. I love collage art!! And your pieces are beautiful! The one with the hair? - love that especially.
I haven’t experimented with collage since college but I absolutely admire it whenever I see it.
Thank you for sharing all of the copyright info and some of the lovely collage/illustrations you have created! I have been working in mixed media/collage painting for many years now and have aimed to create a painterly effect in my works..To play creatively I enjoy making smaller works in my sketchbooks . I tend to blend collage and drawing now and find it to be relaxing and more joyous then my finished works!
Bryan Collier is a master of collage ...he learned from his grandma quilting Melissa Sweet is another amazing talent
My parents didn’t teach me their native language from the Philippines either. You have inspired me with your art! I loved the video.
My current realm of creative play is woodworking and house reno. I love working on my house-- building, tiling, woodworking are my favorites. I disappear for a time into the garage, making a Christmas gift for later in the year or planning out the new design for a bathroom. It's creative exercise of a different nature than writing, and it is tremendously invigorating at the same time it is physically exhausting.