Collage Inspiration for Clay Surfaces – the Fog Has Lifted
Untitled 2005, collage, rubbed texture, photo copies, vellum, marker
Last week, I was searching through some of my old sketch books for something to use as a screen print experiment and came across some collages that I made for a graphic studio that I took in Landscape Architecture grad school in 2005. I go back to my stint in grad school a lot because I really pushed myself during that time period and made some interesting work. In some ways it was $9,000 well spent even if I didn’t graduate from the program.
Untitled 2005, collage, photo copies, vellum, marker
The three collages I’ve included in this post caught my eye and as I sat there with them for a moment in silence, I realized that they represent how I want to approach surface decoration on my ceramic work. After writing a few posts recently about screen printing and making ceramic decals from scratch here and here, I came to the conclusion that I would like to create a layered effect with imagery, texture, glaze and decals on clay. So when I found these collages, a light went off in my head – just like a cartoon…
Can you see the brain synapses firing away?
Since you can’t really see the layering in the collage on a computer screen as well as you would in person, allow me to explain. In these collages, I used a variety of graphic textures, text and imagery pulled from newspapers, texture rubs, magazines, and my own mark making. In two of these, I colored some vellum with a translucent markers used by architecture professionals (brands like Prismacolor or Letraset) and collaged it on top of the black and white imagery which in my mind represents the glaze layer. What I didn’t add to these collages is a third layer or the ceramic decal – but I could easily simulate this by transferring toner based photo copies with a colorless Chartpak Blender Marker on top of the vellum.
Untitled 2005, collage, photo copies, vellum, conte crayon
The collages are not meant to be great art works – they’re more like quick creative exercises to spark design ideas. It was exciting to me when I rediscovered these, each measuring approximately 7″ x 9″. They’re playful, not overly thought out, spontaneous and will be a good addition to my studio practices to push my work or at least the surface of my work to become more complex and all mine. Since first discovering clay in 2002, I have enjoyed the process of working with wet clay much more than the finishing aspect of ceramics. Glazing has always been a sometimes painful after thought, and I confess a single dip in the glaze bucket was about as creative as I dared in regards to finishing my work – sometimes even going as far as to use a one color for the interior and another for the exterior. Hold the phone, keep your pants on!
Minimal and quiet does have its place in ceramics, but it doesn’t really describe me or my personal preferences. Consequently, it feels sort of hypocritical to cop out and apply a minimalistic look to my ceramic work. If you were to visit my house, you would be greeted by a riot of color, mismatched heirloom/purchased/thrift store furniture, family photographs, art work – other’s, my daughter’s and mine, my grandmother’s glass and tea cup collection, mementos, along with piles of newspapers, magazines, and books covering the entire surface of the coffee table that reflect my family and a well lived in home. And, if you’ve followed my blog for any length of time, you know I’m sometimes scattered, focused, colorful, loud, quiet, opinionated, empathetic, interested in many different ideas and philosophies and I think my work should reflect that as well, much like my home reflects my family.
I wonder if the past few months of mental wrangling, studio avoidance and general gnashing of teeth has been in response to this dialog that’s been going on inside my head. When I think about it, all of this started when I returned home from my teaching stint at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in August. I was so inspired by my stay there, that I made the decision then and there to push myself to make better work – I just didn’t know what the answer or path was when I came home. That dialog has been playing in my head around the clock in the background ever since returning much like a computer security scan works behind the scenes allowing normal use of the computer yet slowing everything down at the same time. Processing…processing…scan complete!
Whew.
I’m not ruling out a touch of ADD, left brain deficiency or general off kilterness either. 
Meanwhile, that’s me in the photo above holding a tiny porcelain faceted bottle I made for a miniature swap as part of the Etsy Mud Team this month and was taken by my daughter. I haven’t been a very active participant in Etsy since early July because I haven’t made any new work in awhile – it’s a wonder I haven’t been kicked out. If any fellow Etsy Mud Team members are reading this – I’m getting back into the swing of things, pinky promise.
Paul McCartney and Wings are currently serenading me as I write this and the upbeat music blast from the past sounds so apropos for this picture perfect movie moment in my life – cue zoom in for close up. Smile of contentment on my face. Fade to future – End on positive note.
C’est tout,
~Cynthia
Shawn McCann
September 28, 2008 at 8:54 am //
Hello Cynthia. Isn’t it great when you can look back and get inspiration. I often will go through my old sketches and studies to ignite the creative process. Thanks for sharing and love the effect of the layering and the possiblities that can come from the new look. Can’t wait to see more
Mary
September 28, 2008 at 11:15 am //
Bravo! Now that’s what I’m talking about and you are on the road to some NEW adventures! SWEET and I am so happy for you. Watching the struggle can be painful at times . . .but you are so creative. . . I knew you would find your way! Awe good for you Cynthia and just intime for the HOLIDAYS!
Mary
Brian
September 28, 2008 at 11:33 am //
What an awesome breakthrough!
I’m always astounded when I realize the connection of something I’m doing today to something I did as a kid. Really shows how hardwired our individuality really is.
Way to Go!
Cynthia
September 28, 2008 at 12:05 pm //
Thanks all – Here’s to the feeling sticking for a long while!
Undaunted
September 28, 2008 at 4:14 pm //
You’re right – the computer screen doesn’t really do your images justice, but I can’t wait to see what these look like translated onto clay.
I didn’t realise you only started using clay in 2002. I think I sort of thought you were born doing it!
ang
September 28, 2008 at 4:59 pm //
thanks for the pics, great to see from all angles..and a cheat sheet too extra lovely, thanks ang
Cynthia
September 29, 2008 at 5:44 am //
Linda –
I had to smile at your comment about being born into clay! Play Dough, maybe, but that’s about it. Actually I wanted to take my first clay class back in 1997, but my profs at the time talked me out of it because I had just found out that I was pregnant. They wanted me to wait until after I had my baby because of the chemicals etc. As it turned out, I dropped out and didn’t return to school until 2002 – silly me thinking I could have a new born and continue life as normal.
Glad you got them Ang – hope that helps…
LB
September 29, 2008 at 7:22 am //
Great pic of you!!!
Linda Starr
September 29, 2008 at 7:28 am //
Love your collages, can’t wait to see how you interpretee them in clay.
Daniel Sroka
September 29, 2008 at 7:32 am //
Good job! Yeah, it is always tough when you are processing through a creative transition. You can really start to doubt yourself when the answers don’t come immediately flying at you. But if making art was easy, everyone would be doing it.
I’m intrigued by the idea you came up with — I can’t wait to see where these ADD-inspired-collage-like glazes will take you!
andrea
September 29, 2008 at 7:53 am //
A friend recently gave me a pile of castoff Surface Design Journals. Have you seen SDJ? I think you’d find it a good visual reference.
Cynthia
September 30, 2008 at 6:06 am //
You’re too kind, LB – that was taken after a long day subbing, those etched lines in my forehead are getting deeper.
Linda – I’m not necessarily going to recreate these abstract collages, but am going to try using the same technique to get a feel for how I could approach finishing work using the collage technique. I hope it gives me a little more freedom to experiment without the “danger” of ruining a piece in the glaze fire. We’ll see though….
Man oh man, Dan, I feel like I just birthed a baby. I guess some transitions are easier than others. “If making art was easy, everyone would be doing it. hehehe isn’t everyone doing it nowadays???
Andrea – I’ve heard of SDJ – but have never actually looked at a copy before. I know someone who probably has a whole stash of them though…. I should look for one the next time I find myself in a book store – I wonder if I’d find any at a thrift store?
patricia griffin
September 30, 2008 at 10:04 am //
Hi Cynthia! I’m finally catching up on some blog reading and really enjoyed this post! Looking forward to seeing how the collage work shows up on your pots!
jafabrit
September 30, 2008 at 12:12 pm //
Interesting post cyn about an issue I think so many struggle with. I look forward to seeing how this plays out.
Cynthia
October 1, 2008 at 6:41 am //
Thanks Patricia – I think realizing where I was hung up has helped me tremendously – at least in the mental dept.
Jafabrit – I hope I can move forward now – we’ll see. I have less than 40 days till my next show, along with promises for work to a couple of galleries and have to start cranking now. I always work well under pressure.
Jim
October 1, 2008 at 8:47 am //
I’m glad you found something that inspires you! I’m looking forward to watching you take these inspirational pieces and running with them and seeing where you end up.
Lynette
October 1, 2008 at 11:01 pm //
Cyn I can’t wait to see those new pieces with the collage patterns on the surface of the clay. I think it will look wonderful!
Cynthia
October 2, 2008 at 6:38 am //
I’m wondering where they’ll take me too, Jim – first I’m making work that I’ve promised to make for a couple of galleries, then I’ll start messing around.
Thanks Lynette!