Frontier, 2012, 3″ x 5″, collage

Thumbing through magazines and catalogs, I cut out images, colors and words that strike me and glue them onto three-by-five cards.  By having such a small space to arrange the cutouts, I am forced to quickly move on to other ideas, but find that I have soon developed a body of work.

Desire, 2012, 3″ x 5″, collage

July, 2012, 3″ x 5″, collage

Romance, 2012, 3″ x 5″, collage

Cutting and arranging a small abstract collage is as thrilling as cutting a film; both must find and create a surprising and emotional reaction.  Fortunately, the materials found in these collages were readily available; at my disposal were only a pair of scissors, note cards, school glue and the shopping catalogs that arrived free in the mail.

Earn, 2012, 3″ x 5″, collage

Happiness, 2012, 3″ x 5″, collage

Love #1, 2012, 3″ x 5″, collage

An added benefit to the abstraction of these images is original writing.  Try pulling each of these images out in random order and writing a sequential story that attempts to string the ideas together.   Guided by the logical brain, the results are unexpected, dramatic, and wholly your own.

Loyalty, 2012, 3″ x 5″, collage

Fearless, 2012, 3″ x 5″, collage

Love #2, 2012, 3″ x 5″, collage

Whether the images are nightmarish and terrifying or sexy and wish fulfillment, collage in a small space is an immediate, impactful, gratifying way to test drive ideas and visualize dreams.