Anne Vis Art & Design
Finding the inner voice through art
Join me on a journey to find what really makes my art uniquely mine. Finding my own style and expression. Previously I explored primitive art and neurographic line art as well as the use of color. Today I am exploring collages and the use of art as a guide or vision board.
Part 4:
Vision board and collage style art
Keeping it playful!
CONTENT:
Collage Art and how to create it
So you’d imagine the use of collages is very simple. And while it is true that anyone can do it (which is part of the fun and the point of creating these articles), there’s a bit more to it.Â
I have found several ways to approach this style. One is to just start with an image that is appealing and see what you want to add to it. Like with all collage work, you will have to find out what works with respect to colors and composition.
The second approach is to start with a vision and then find the pieces that match that vision. It starts with a STORY.
In all cases, you need to find attractive images, adjust them in color and size and use custom brushes and other techniques to make it a piece of art.
So let’s see where that leads us:
Whimsical Art
Having fun with stock images in a magical combination.
I used Photoshop and Rebelle to fit it all together.
Though a crocodile would oftentimes be associated with fear, this one is actually questioning that concept and found a way to transmute fear with the help of the butterfly. In life it sometimes does not matter which road you choose, because the end result will be the same (ducks at a castle, either way). Expressing inner turmoil and doubts, while the color composition maintains harmony.
When I started painting and working with artistic concepts a long time ago, I would make something and then afterwards it was like the image started talking to me and conveying a message. I still like to work that way.
One thing is sure however: things are constantly changing and so does the narrative!
Adding Text
Collage art featuring a summer joy theme
Philosophical collage with a wine theme. Notice how using clipped images can easily create a completely different atmosphere
Not sure where this started, but a lot of collage art has text as part of the design. I’ve been playing with it, as you can see, but not sure if I will follow through with this idea.
Vision and storyboard
THE STORY
is where starts.
At least that is what I did in this case. I started with the concept of creating a visual collage of what vision actually involves, is, or originates from, leads to or any other concept it is entangled with. It led me to many depths and “rabbit holes”. As you can see there is a surreal element to this. As the collage is quite busy, I narrowed down the colors to mainly ocher and black/grey.
I don’t know about you, but even though I created it, I seem to discover new elements and associations to it all the time!
The “story” behind it all: it’s all love! But you already knew that, didn’t you?
Finding a place to rest
Buddha at the river of life
A collage featuring peaceful elements in a warm sunny glow
A scrapbook variation
Summer by the sea
A bold colored cheerful summer collage in scrapbook style
SCRAPBOOK ART
and collages are like family. I tend to see the scrapbook version as more girly. Scrapbooking is said to be more about memories and maybe a subsection of collage art. As I see it, there is always an element of emotion or sentiment involved, either way. This seaside painting seems to tell the story of what the Portuguese call “saudade”, a girl missing her love. However, the happy sun and the cute bird are here to cheer her up!
Timeless beauty
ANCIENT WISDOM
Wisdom is not just one thing, it is a collection of many aspects, deep symbolism, visions and more. I started this image with a wish to create something special about Egypt. The fractured face represents perfectly how wounded we are today as we look back on the beauty of the pyramids. Yet there is a a white scarabee as well as a white poppy pointing to the stars, representing a new, fresh and pristine way forward. Images convey messages and always tell a story, even if it is not immediately clear what that story might be.Â
The magic of Egypt speaks to many of us, evoking the feeling of deep mysteries and magic
The expert's opinion
Of course I don’t agree 🙂
Every artist has a distinct and unique style. That’s why you’d recognize a Dalà from a Rembrandt. Just saying …
More cats please!
Life without cats is just … well, let’s not go there!
I started this collage with a lovely painting that is somewhat reminiscent of the paintings of van Gogh (just better in my view). From there a very relaxing scene unfolded with two black cats. With cats life is becoming more melodious. Like a cat love song, so that’s where the guitar comes in. Don’t ever tell me that cats can’t sing!
Life’s purrfect …!
Conclusion
To conclude: collage art and similar, it’s all very much fun to me. I will definitely continue using this. Is it weird to like to paint, but not to draw? I don’t know, but this technique seems to solve that issue for me. I hope you like it as well and that it inspires you to create your own!
