On July 24, 2023 I embarked on a QUEST to do a collage a day for 28 straight days. I started out knowing each collage would be based by an individual song, as is all my art. After all, depending on who you listen to, there are estimated to be between 82 and 200+ million songs on the planet at any given time. That’s a bigger number than there are rivers and mountains in the world (in case you are wondering, rivers and mountains on the planet adding up to about 1.3 million). Can you think of a better way to find inspiration?
What did I learn? I learned how to maintain consistency, to choose quality over quantity, and to express myself without using words. It wasn’t just about cutting and pasting paper, it was a lesson in planning, and finding inspiration within a song that told a story.
I’ll Fly Away, collage 5×7
WEEKS 1 and 2: In the first two weeks I began with a list of songs I put together that told a story. Each morning I picked a song then took a walk after reading the lyrics of the song. I thought about how to translate the lyrics and the back story of the song into visual cues. I learned to embrace quirkiness and I suddenly realized I was having FUN! It ruled my creativity and I found new ways of using images. BUT – after 14 days I realized I needed more structure.
Rainy Days and Mondays 5×7 collage
WEEK 3: I was on the verge of hitting the proverbial creative block. I needed more structure in choosing the songs I was using. So – what should I do? I decided to use the days of the weeks as the springboard for choosing a different song each day.
Beethoven’s 9th
WEEK 4: I chose songs that were about a specific color. BUT – I ended the entire quest with what I feel is the most magnificent piece of music ever written – Beethoven’s 9th. My research expanded to studying synesthesia – which is the fancy name for when you experience one of your senses through another. Some examples include tasting words or linking colors to music. My research had begun to expand. I was becoming more resourceful – viewing every day images differently than before. There was a feeling of playfulness, spontaneity and curiosity that was not as apparent to me before.
What other things did I learn or do?
- I bought better scissors
- I began using an exacto knife for more intricate cutting
- I totally reorganized my studio
- I gave away a lot of old collage material – they no longer served my needs
Here are a few more images from the month of collage.
I have decided to repeat this exercise once a quarter for one week instead of four. The next week will be the week of September 23 – the first day of fall! Want to join me? Do you have any requests for a song, preferable about fall or the colors of fall? Let me know!