Jill (Thursday, 27 October 2022 20:29)

Hello deb, Ed, Eron and Sae!
With the onset of Autumn upon us I was wondering if you had thought about bringing back the Sunday workshops in your magnificent space? As much as I lovelovelove this format i feel my work is not progessing without the spirit and mentorship gleaned from being present with you. :) xo

.....just thought I'd ask.
P.S. the stamps on my envelope didn't get cancelled by the post office (what are the chances?) and they are esquisite. Thank you all!

Ed (Tuesday, 18 October 2022 13:21)

The newest video has been prepared. See it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/X1imYettVCE

NB: Regarding the slideshow for workshop 16, I like the use of the base/original image you were all working with placed between the responses.

~ed

Ed (Saturday, 15 October 2022 16:13)

New envelopes departed in the post on Friday.

Jill (Saturday, 15 October 2022 06:06)

Sorry, typo....contrast, not 'constrast'.

Jill (Saturday, 15 October 2022 06:03)

Hi all,
Good questions deb! Upon diving into the image when the Chagall arrived I was struck by the freedom to reimagine an alternate scale for the figures so I went with that. I liked the tension it created but also the whimsy. That constrast created the dialogue for me. xoxo J

Ed Drass (Thursday, 13 October 2022 17:39)

Sybilla, were you able to send a message to deborah, as noted below? Let us know if we should double-check our email.
-Ed
Gallery # 416-977-1077

deborah harris (Thursday, 29 September 2022 13:02)

Hi Sybilla You can send your snail mail address to me, deborah@arcturus.ca
and we will mail our next set of images to you, probably in the next week, with
instructions how to proceed. When you have finished collaging with those images
you can take a photo of your work and send them to us so that we can put them
on our website online page. Any questions you might have you can e-mail to me
or post them here and I will respond. Thank you for wanting to participate.

d

Sybilla Mannsfeldt (Wednesday, 28 September 2022 12:29)

I am interested to become part of your online COLLAGE WORKSHOPS/EXCHANGE OF IDEAS.
I have done some Collage sessions previously.
Please advise how to join your group.
thank you,
Sybilla

deborah harris (Wednesday, 28 September 2022 11:36)

Looking again at all the collages from # 16 and marveling at the extreme differences
and variety. I am priviledged to have all of your work in your individual files from each of the workshops and I got to thinking that none of that work would exist except for this exchange. Of course we all would be continuing in our own directions but I know for myself that what I do here is different from any of the other collages that I create. Especially the challenge of responding/interpreting/ copying a painting by another artist pushes me to look and see and then to compose in a way that I would not when following my own impulses.
In this particular workshop I had the question of how each of you proceed. Did you
interpret the Chagall's painting through creating a narrative for it and then collage
using that narrative to guide you? or did you seek out the same colours, forms and shapes. I am curious as a see all of the different outcomes.

What impressed me most I guess was the two characters in profile, right and left, and how they looked at each other, the quality of their relationship and their closeness. I looked at it at different times but when I finally began collaging I did it
from memory. The second collage I did was a week or so after the first and I hadn't looked at the original for a long time. I wanted to see what stayed with me and if I could simplify it even more. That's my process. If any of you would like to share
yours I would be grateful.

thanks

d

Carole Aida (Saturday, 13 August 2022 22:32)

Series 16 arrived on August 11. This promises to be another challenging assignment! Thank you so much for continuing these workshops.

The collages from Series 15 are outstanding!!!

Tonie Norman (Friday, 12 August 2022 19:22)

The images for Collage #16 arrived yesterday. Once again the envelope was beautifully decorated. Ed you have an amazing variety of stamps. Thank you.

Jill (Friday, 12 August 2022 13:33)

#16 arrived just now and I'm in love! Looking forward to diving right in; great colours, great mood, great depth and variety of inspo! Thank you so much for sending. xo Jill

Jill (part 2) (Wednesday, 27 July 2022 10:46)

To your point, deb, I did struggle deeply with the images from the last workshop.... the darkness hit too close to home...
As such, it was a wonderful challenge to work with images I could appreciate but didn't enjoy. I agree that the results from our group were outstanding.
Who'd 've thunk it?
Love always, Jill

Jill Lawrence (Wednesday, 27 July 2022 10:38)

Hello Friends. Thank you for asking. My process always begins with the setting. Collage is a reflective space that I tuck myself into for the quiet. Once the music plays and the mood is right I get lost in the task of mining for the images that speak to me. Once the pieces are all there I can now begin. The end result is always a surprise. xo Jill

Keith wdowczyk (Wednesday, 27 July 2022 08:26)

My process begins well before I start with a collage. I have a great deal of resistance to approaching the task which builds up to the moment I begin. A constant nagging plays out for what seems like forever, that I need to begin this burdensome task. This despite my knowing that I actually enjoy making a collage.

I never have an idea of what I want to create. As some of you have mentioned, this work seems to come out of nowhere. I seem to pick out certain shapes not based on any actual image most of the time, but the fluidity I find within them, movement I can somehow sense and am attracted too. Much like a puzzle I begin to play with the direction of the shapes, how they fit together in balance, direction, and colour. Slight movements of direction can change the sensation of the collage as it comes into existence. The pieces must flow together, and I work on it until I feel in my body that they are complete and whole. Sometimes I will move a single piece of the collage in minute movements dozens of times, before I feel it is in the right place. The end result is a complete surprise, and I am in awe that something has been created by me, feeling no responsibility for making this somehow. I often am drawn to looking at the piece repetitively afterwards, perplexed, yet trying to understand how this can be. Perhaps this is the miracle Deborah is speaking about, and a recognition that my rational mind cannot make sense of an experience that is really Other.

deborah harris (Tuesday, 19 July 2022 13:37)

It seems to me that creativity is being able to use what is at hand. If I try to control the process too much, for instance buying this material or that it looses something. That is why I love collage because it is always unpredictable, I never know what I will find.
You could say that in this workshop process I have some control in choosing what paintings to copy but as Eron said the images are limitations, that is why it works we are all sharing limitations. Creativity requires limitation. There is always a moment, or more that one, when I feel that it is impossible to create a collage. It's almost an absurdity to imagine that some sort of satisfaction or completion can evolve from this process so when the impossible shifts it seems to be a miracle. I observe that this same description can be applied to everything that I do, collage merely makes it more visible and allows me to know how I do what I do.

The obligation to contribute to the workshop to be seen by the other participants
creates a motivation that compels me more that simply doing what I want on my own time.

Eron Boyd (Tuesday, 19 July 2022 13:15)

In this process, my default point is always hell no, I do not want to work that way! The images provided are limitations and are blocking my making abilities. This resistance is broadcasted for a few minutes until I look upon the pieces provided and absorb the colors, the texture, and the gestures. I accept the invitation, and the dance of making has begun.

Vivian Felsen (Tuesday, 19 July 2022 12:37)

Usually when I begin a collage, the materials at hand may suggest the approach I may take. I may begin by finding a shape, or colour, or image that inspires me. It may take seconds or sometimes almost an hour.

Sometimes I begin by gluing two pieces torn from magazines together when they seem to relate because of colour, subject matter, shapes, angles, etc. Sometimes that is all I need to do. Just two pieces! Sometimes I continue to build on those two pieces.

Sometimes I begin by gluing things down on a magazine cover or other image with colours or shapes or images already there. The process can then involve covering up the initial image.

Other times I carefully cut (I'm not very good at cutting carefully!!) images or parts of images out of magazines only to find that the back of what I’d cut out is more interesting than the front.

Sometimes I tear off pieces I’ve already glued down. Sometimes I tear up the whole collage itself and begin with that.

These are only a few of the many ways I’ve approached collage.

The greatest joy in making a collage is always the unexpected.

Tonie Norman (Monday, 18 July 2022 20:45)

Not sure what happened to my message below. I lost half of it when I pressed send? I'll try again.

First I cut shapes from the pictures. Once I have all the pieces cut I rarely change the shape. Next I get to know the pieces, spend time with each image. I look for shapes, shadows, colour, images within images and get a feel for how they fit together. This is the part that takes the longest and I enjoy the most. After I submit I often continue to
change the pieces and can end up with an entirely different picture that I like more. At some point I glue everything.

Once I've submitted I look forward to seeing what others have created. Several times I have been amazed and moved to tears seeing how others have placed these familar images.

Tonie Norman (Monday, 18 July 2022 10:39)

end up with an entirely different picture that I like more. Once I've submitted I look forward to seeing what others have created. Several times I have been amazed and move to tears seeing how others have placed these familar images.

Sae (Friday, 15 July 2022 11:19)

I found legs I like
then a plant
and then a body with a face.
The posture was there.
added shapes to complete the figure.

I usually see things in small scale first.
like legs ... not entire forest.
Then things are grow from there. Small to big. "Add" is my default gesture and get rid of something is harder for me. So collage is difficult because I have to start from take things out. But maybe that's why I have to do it for balancing my life..!

Wendy Weaver (Thursday, 14 July 2022 09:30)

The three source paintings you sent seemed to flummox me. For a long time they just lay on my floor. They seemed similar in their bold colours and strokes.

Finally they awakened a feeling in me to be wild, bold, careless, unfocused and following no rules. Just plain messy. What the hell! (And I wasn’t going to tell you that.)



At that point I walked by a bulletin board with a photo of a painting by Jennifer Hornyak, in an exhibition of her work at the Galerie de Bellefeuille. Bold colours, a use of space that appealed to me just at that moment. Hurray!

Rita Rasmussen (Tuesday, 12 July 2022 20:57)

Comments on process for #15.
-Anticipation to receiving image material at my rural mail box.
Let them be for a couple of days. Phew, what to do with 3 source pieces. All by male artists hmm?
-Observe with fresh mind, eyes, in the mornings.
-First-cut up-too much, confused, rearrange pieces, palette. Should there be a background?
Experiment- shifting. The pieces/images want to rearrange themselves into something that has MOVEMENT and FORM.
-Then #1 comes together. I like it. Resonates with a message, building a narrative. #2 Simplify. Find a tiny word to use. #3 Ready to try some background. Overlay evolving random shapes from cut-outs and negative space. Feel the flow.
-I like them. I laugh. Put on some music and start gluing them down. Leave for a day, review.
-Then off to the library in town for scanning. Explain to helpful library staff the group process of the Arcturus collage workshop.
-I really enjoy seeing all the participant's interpretations using the material provided. Also viewing the groupings in the animation you put together online with the music.
So thank you Arcturus and everyone who participates.
Looking forward to the viewing online and the next mail delivery of source images...

Jason Ford (Tuesday, 12 July 2022 15:51)

I take the images and place them in my dwelling space where I will encounter them repeatedly throughout the day. I wait for a time when Im naturally drawn into cutting apart the images and seeing what falls out.

Sara (Tuesday, 12 July 2022 13:07)

Allow me to share the process/es that unfold every time a new series it's received:
1- excitement to receive the envelope ... and opening it!
2- bewilderment ; what to do - create - express - with these images? ( 2 to 4 days)
3- something starts to rise up in my imagination as possible combinations (2 to 4 days)
5- what the images/colors/shapes are telling me? what do I see?
6- overflow and (by trial and error) seeing one after the other creations appearing
7 - discarding and sorting and choosing from 5 to 8 images and taking pictures
8 - selecting again what will be the final group to send
9- wandering about ....

Victoria (Tuesday, 12 July 2022 12:33)

If I am slower to get to the collage I make a point of not looking at anyone else's completed work from the series until I am finished mine. I usually spend a bit of time just studying the work. Looking for colours, shapes, lines or faces that draw me in. I then cut out my top 1 or 2 favourite little pieces. I move them around the page and imagine the shapes I need to cut to add to the work. Once I know what shape I need I usually turn the page over so I can only see white. I cut out the shape I want somewhat at random (but having already studied the page I kind of know where I am roughly). I then assemble my "puzzle pieces" into the shape of what I planned. I always challenge myself to use a little of each artwork, even if it is a small section.

deborah harris (Friday, 08 July 2022 13:47)

Having invited you to share your process I think that I should begin by accepting my own challenge!!

Choosing the images is usually a big challenge. Sae and I look through dozens of books and many more images. This time was quicker. Sae had one book and I had another. She chose two images and I chose one and we didn't fret over them or attempt to find others. It was surprising that they shared the same
colour palette. After they were sent out and I actually sat with them to begin collaging they seemed impossible. I have noted before that I usually begin by finding a face, or hands and there was not any here, at least not obviously. Eventually, because I was not wearing my glasses I did find what I believed to be a face and then I engaged. Doing collage without glasses can be very helpful in seeing the images differently. to be continued...

deborah harris (Friday, 08 July 2022 13:42)

This online collage workshop has been more successful than I could have every imagined. So many of you have stayed with it and new members continue
to emerge and surprise. What has been less evolving is this comment page. I would like to make another attempt to activate this exchange by asking each of you participating if you could describe your working process. That would begin by your reaction to receiving the images. Perhaps you don't like them, or they seem unusually difficult. Do you jump in or wait, look at them for days or put them out of sight. There are many more possibilities than the ones I am suggesting. I love looking at the finished pieces but process is what really interests. Using the same materials makes it more possible to imagine something of the process, I recognize the fragments and am amazed by how differently each of us composes with them but I think that makes me even more curious about how they come together. Isn't that what the finished work is, a record of our creative process. In observing that process we come to know ourselves. I think articulating is a way of knowing it.

Perhaps we can try another way of using this experience.

Sae (Friday, 18 February 2022 12:15)

Hello! The works of #13 is now on the website. Also previous works are up as video in Screening Room. https://arcturus.ca/screeningroom/

I'm still struggling to make my Chagall but it is very inspiring to see everyone's work. Thank you :)

Jill (Sunday, 13 February 2022 10:08)

Hi everyone,
I did struggle a bit with keeping to the original concept. Thank you for your encouraging words deb. I do love the challenge and this one was a real riddle. xo Jill

deborah harris (Tuesday, 01 February 2022 10:46)

Hello to Everyone,
We have just sent out the image for #13. This time it is just one image that I am asking if you can be inspired to copy with magazine images that you have in your
collection. We did this same exercise with 'the Cellist' by Chagall in the 9th online.
I know that it was difficult at first to figure out but since we have done it once
maybe it will be easier this time. We have included in the envelope a page with a
photo copy of the original 'Cellist' and a few examples of participants responses.
This may give those of you who were not yet part of the online workshops an idea
of how to proceed with this #13. It seems a good time to change things up a bit.

Thank you to all for staying with us in this ongoing experiment. I think it just keeps getting better, having the continuity, recognizing people through their work and watching the evolution is very exciting.

Oh I would also like to add that if any of you have a favorite painting that you would like to share with us to add to our collection of collage possibilities please
send them to us.

d

Ed (Saturday, 29 January 2022 17:56)

Next set was posted Friday evening. Sightings appreciated.
~ed.

Carole Aida (Friday, 21 January 2022 19:32)

As always, such a pleasure to see what everyone has created with the latest set of prints (#12). Some are so unexpected and surprising- wonderfully creative!!

Thank you so much for continuing this online workshop. I'm looking forward to the challenges that Series #13 will bring.

Carole

Jill (Friday, 19 November 2021 15:09)

Oh me oh my....
I arrived back home from Nova Scotia today to find the latest collage exchange images. I can't wait to sit down with these lovelies in the coming days and see what may come from within. Thank you DearOnes!

Ed (Tuesday, 21 September 2021 12:35)

The most recent set was posted on Thursday night ... from the postal outlet at Yonge and Dundas.
In case you missed the notice via the blog: https://www.dailyartblog.ca/2021/09/16/sending-out-the-surprise-packets/

Keith (Tuesday, 14 September 2021 12:05)

I never realized that I actually have some sense of freedom when doing a collage until presented with this most recent challenge. Having said that, I wish to work beyond my habits, so I should endeavor the next time around to sit more with my feelings of resistance, and see what happens. Thanks again for the opportunity to work Deborah.

deborah harris (Thursday, 09 September 2021 14:53)

I just wanted to add, in part to respond to Keith but also in general with what we are
doing here. It is true that the suggestions for each series comes from me but that does not mean that I am less challenged by the request. I also had resistance to recreate the Chagall and seemed to have a limited collection of magazines and none seemingly related to the pallet or forms found in the painting.

What I have observed over the years is that resistance begins every creative and mundane action that I take and that against all odds something is still possible.

deborah harris (Wednesday, 08 September 2021 11:31)

Thank you Keith for your honest feedback. In this time of rules and expectations and no choices it is perhaps not strange that you would have resistance where it is possible.
A yoga teacher of mine said that it was important for teachers to be in the position of student in some capacity in order to have empathy and understanding for those they teach..

Keith Wdowczyk (Tuesday, 07 September 2021 12:27)

I immediately rejected recreating the Chagall painting in favour of my usual slice and dice method of placing the cut up shapes into position together first. In my first collage I glued the pieces together before waiting for the feeling of completion I usually wait for to appear. Consequently, I am left with a nagging desire to adjust one piece to where I feel it should be. I am left wondering what the nature of this feeling is. Am I not able to accept what is, or is there something wanting for the shapes to be in unison beyond this? As for the first part of the exercise, I was never able to complete it. My resistance seemed childish, since I didn't want to do something with any 'rules' despite my intention to do it. I was also left dealing with a host of feelings around not meeting the 'expectations'.

I enjoy very much viewing all the works after I have finished my own. The endless possibilities created with the same images leaves me with a feeling of amazement. Although I can recognize most of the original images in each piece, the combinations created by you still leaves me wondering how they could possibly come to be.

Paul Foster (Monday, 30 August 2021 11:56)

Series #9
Chagall homage series brought out my inner perfectionist. Finally viewing what others did I now think what was I doing! I was working when I could of been playing! Lost opportunity. I was trying to hard. But I was now realize it was paralleling something I was going through in my personal life. I try to hard sometimes. So thanks to all the collage artists whose work reminded me to play more work less. Life is not or should not be a math exam.

Reminds me of a quote: "Art is the cultivation of play." Not sure who the author is. Thanks Paul

Tonie Norman (Sunday, 29 August 2021 11:39)

Re-creating the image of the Cellist has been a delight. My seeing and emotions towards the image have been deeply changed.

I was surprized how the actual working/re-creating the image was so different from spending time looking at the painting and the posted submissions.

Thank you Deborah for giving this opportunity.

Tonie Norman (Thursday, 26 August 2021 16:01)

Thank you Deborah for your prompt response to my questions. I have spent time today re-reading your directions and taking in the posted recreations. I think I get it! It's been awesome spending time with these images.
I could feel the spirit/essence of Chagell in the painting recreations. the submissions were re-organized using "own found images" yet I felt a closeness, a knowing, a strong connection to the core Chagell painting. At times my emotions were intense.

deborah harris (Thursday, 26 August 2021 10:31)

Just to say to you Tonie that you can do the first part of the task now, recreating the
painting with the material you have. I look forward to seeing your work

d

deborah harris (Thursday, 26 August 2021 10:22)

Hi Tonie
This was the instruction sent out;-

"The mission, if you choose to accept it, is to recreate the Chagall painting using magazine images in your collection. This is something that we at the gallery have explored before but we have not done it in the workshop.
When you have finished referencing the image you can do a second or third collage disassembling the copy."

I would appreciate your feedback as to how to better explain the process since you are not the only one to misinterpret.

Thank you for asking and for sharing your works I enjoy them all.


d

Tonie Norman (Wednesday, 25 August 2021 18:58)

Asking to better understand the directive for Series #9. I thought that making a collage adding outside images to the painting was the first task. The second task was to make collage using only pieces from the chagell painting. I see now that perhaps we were to recreate keeping as close as possible to the original. Since all my submissions are shown under the second category I'm a bit confused and seek clarification. I know that really hearing what is being asked is a tricky thing. Thank you.

Victoria (Wednesday, 25 August 2021 15:36)

I received my package after I read the email with the challenge. I took longer than usual to open the package as I was afraid I wouldn't be ready to tackle it immediately. Today I looked at some of the finished pieces. There are really wonderful and it got me excited for this task. I am taking longer than usual and taking time to think of some interesting source material. I want to get it just right. I hope I am not over thinking it.

Sae (Wednesday, 25 August 2021 11:06)

I didn't recognize the cellist has such a complex expression until I tried recreate his face... and a lot of joy in the darkness in the sky. I could go one more layer deeper into the painting because I had the mission!

deborah harris (Friday, 20 August 2021 09:38)

I understand that this Series 9 has been a challenge for participants. If you haven't already you should go to the site and have a look at what has come in. Many different interpretations of what was suggested, every one something to be inspired by and to learn from. I think that there is often a resistance from creative people to accept a particular direction or structure assuming that it will somehow limit their individual freedom of expression. The results should prove otherwise. Personally I believe that limitation activates creativity, it forces us to look outside of our habitual ways of perception and use of certain materials.

Working with the Chagall painting he becomes our teacher. As Tonie
mentioned we are able to see how he created the effects that he did. The expression on the face is complex and not easily constructed or found in our modern magazine images. Each person has focused on different elements of the painting to try and
reproduce. I am truly surprised by all of the pieces. It affirms for me the desire to continue with this form of working together.

Today Eron and I completed the video of Series 8. It will be available for you to see
on Collage Exchange on Youtube and on the Gallery Arcturus 'Screening Room'
clickable in the menu.

Thanks to all of you for your enthusiasm and willingness to participate in the offerings here. Your contributions are a visual banquet for the viewer and visitor to the website.

Tonie Norman (Thursday, 12 August 2021 09:50)

I'm so enjoying working with Marc Chagall's beautiful Art. It's fun and an interesting process. The first suggestion to use the images by adding magazine images was a difficult hurdle. The Chagall pieces that came together rejected the 'other' and wanted to stand alone. Nothing I added seemed to belong. Interestingly the process allowed me to better see Marc Chagall's art. Little aspects immerged that had been hidden in plain sight but went unnoticed. It was exciting to catch them and good to have a copy of the original to refere back to.

Finally I had a breakthrough and I'm making new collages adding from outside sources. Iv'e made at least four new pictures and not ready to stop yet.

I love that you included, in this package, the previous images as a record. Thanks for that.

Carole Aida (Sunday, 27 June 2021 10:53)

Wow! I just saw the work submitted for Series 8 and there is such an amazing variety of responses! I struggled with this package. Somehow I couldn't see past the original images to create something new. My offering is quite predictable and not very imaginative. I'll see if I can come up with something else, otherwise I shall have to wait and see what I can do when Series 9 arrives. Thanks to everyone at Gallery Arcturus for continuing with this workshop!- Carole

Ed (Wednesday, 02 June 2021 13:52)

Getting more reports of mail successfully delivered, including one in the US of A. Good to hear.

Jill (Wednesday, 02 June 2021 06:17)

#8 arrived yesterday. Yay!
But these colours, though? How did they possibly get that pigment back then? Genius!
Thank you to the mail Gods, xo Jill

Carole Aida (Monday, 31 May 2021 20:07)

Hello! I received my envelope of Series #8 in today’s mail. I love the selection of paintings we received. Can’t wait to see what everyone creates!

Ed (Thursday, 27 May 2021 10:28)

The latest printed images for workshop #8 have been posted. Perhaps those living in areas with energetic postal workers will even see their envelope today.

I'll send out an email too.

Donna Little (Thursday, 13 May 2021 18:57)

Thank you for this shared venture . I found it fascinating to see the creative ways people chose to use the fragments and design ideas of the originals.

Tonie Norman (Thursday, 06 May 2021 11:14)

The new and interesting creations that have emerged in workshop #7 open new horizons. Each time I look at them I see something missed earlier. Thank you for this opportunity to connect with each other.

Deborah (Wednesday, 05 May 2021 10:01)

I absolutely second that emotion. Wow!!!

I feel so lucky and privileged to see the work as it comes in and to have the pleasure of putting it up on the site.

Jill Lawrence (Wednesday, 05 May 2021 06:40)

Oh my goodness, i am over-the-moon with these creations for workshop #7. Wow wow wow!
xo j

Paul Foster (Monday, 03 May 2021 21:22)

So many amazing collages. It's fun to see the pieces and how they create new works of art. They help me to see with new eyes.

Thanks also to Arcturus Gallery for providing the opportunity for us to create art in a safe and socially distanced manner.

Keith Wdowczyk (Sunday, 02 May 2021 11:31)

Upon viewing the images I felt limited by the lack of objects and shapes I normally identify with. In the moment where I decide to move past the resistance, the energy seemed to decide itself what would be created. When looking at the end result it seems I've worked into a new space. The buildings enabled me to work with space this time around as the focal point, which is unfamiliar to me. It seems the perception of being limited, once ignored, can move me into something new.

Shelly (Friday, 30 April 2021 14:48)

Hi All, well, I have lost all semblance of day/date since Spring arrived and seem to have also lost a reasonable sense of time passing. I have just opened the recent set today but I think the envelope arrived a few days ago. In general, I do work fairly slowly in the collage creation process.

I think the image combinations you select are tremendous and the colour combinations are wonderful. I so appreciate this creative forum. Thank you!!

Ed (Friday, 30 April 2021 13:15)

Carole's comment led me to go into the current set and look closely. I haven't worked with these images and yet I am enjoying the chance to enter into their detail and colour -- I think this experience is possible due to the repetition. Also, it seems participants focused on what was offered, bringing in less new material than for previous series.

Carole Aida (Friday, 30 April 2021 09:56)

The collages from this series are great! It seems that a few of us had similar ideas on how to use the materials but each work is unique and special. It’s such a treat to see how everyone responds to the selected images! Thank you to everyone at the Gallery. I’m already looking forward to series #8.

Maria (Saturday, 24 April 2021 22:04)

Hi Deborah,

Thanks for all the work you're doing on the Collage Exchange--it is much appreciated! I got the 7th mailing on Fri. & started to think about the collage & began cutting while watching a concert today.

I think that the least stressful way to do the mailings would be to do them on a regular published schedule--exactly every 6 weeks.

Note to everyone: don't buy Crayola glue sticks--they are not good--dry much too fast! I saw online that 3M 5 min. glue stiicks are good--they do not dry for 5 min., so pieces can be repositioned several times.

wendy weaver (Friday, 23 April 2021 14:38)

Thanks for #7, and for 1-6! It is such an interesting project each time, and considerable work for everyone back at Arcturus. In this strange period when future planning is next to impossible, deadlines can be helpful for motivation. However, please run this ongoing workshop so that it is manageable for the Arcturus team. Only then will it continue for some more months, and perhaps years. Thanks for asking.

deborah (Friday, 23 April 2021 10:05)

Thank you to all for your responses. It may seem that it was an unnecessary concern on our part but just as the host can fret about whether the meal was good for the guest
we do get somewhat stressed about the images we choose and the timing of when we send them (I say 'we' but it is more accurately 'me'). I am happy that you seem to be
still enjoying the exchange.

Sara (Friday, 23 April 2021 07:39)

How exciting!
Serie #7 arrived,
images in my desk,
images possibilities
floating in my imagination
what will it be?

Jill Lawrence (Thursday, 22 April 2021 16:59)

So happy to receive #7 in the mail today. Thank you again for staying with the online workshop format. It is deeply meaningful to remain connected to you all this way.
Inserting into the conversation; I like the idea and freedom of no specific timing or spacing of receiving the images. I love to linger in the anticipation of their arrival - the longer the better. The energy of the images dictates the speed at which I can complete them but always excited to send them back promptly when done. xoxo j

Time frame (response to #56) (Thursday, 22 April 2021)

Nope, not too soon for me at all! I look forward to receiving the packages, and even if sometimes it takes me longer to figure out what I want to do with them, I like having time to sit with them. Thank you!

Victoria (Thursday, 22 April 2021 14:53)

I got my # 7 today. I like the idea of every 4-6 weeks. I usually have mine done in a day or 2 after receiving them but think spacing them out makes them feel more special somehow.

Louie Vargas (Thursday, 22 April 2021 13:29)

4 to 5 weeks schedule works for me too. Thanks.

Paul Foster (Thursday, 22 April 2021 13:26)

I'm okay with a 4 to 5 week schedule. I'm one of the tardy ones. My process is to work hard at procrastination first. Than once I'm tired of the hard work of procrastination, I can start to think about starting. However, I do appreciate all the work that goes into the planning and mailing out of the Workshop Series.

Kathryn Cramer (Thursday, 22 April 2021 13:26)

I’m just coming back in after a long recovery from a broken elbow. I don’t have a specific opinion on the timing of mailings.

I will be in the US for a while starting in a week or so. So I will need to have images emailed since it would take a while to get them by international mail. I will email my new contact info.

Tonie Norman (Thursday, 22 April 2021 13:14)

A month to five weeks feels good for me. I like to spend time with the images but at the same time a deadline is good to work towards.

Tonie Norman (Thursday, 22 April 2021 13:05)

I received Series Seven yesterday. Thanks to everyone.

Susan Eckenwalder (Thursday, 22 April 2021 13:02)

I’m happy with a month too.
Helps to work toward a deadline.

deborah (Wednesday, 21 April 2021 13:31)

Just to add to the previous comment.
At the beginning we decided to send out the next set of images when it seemed that there was no more work coming in, based on what we had sent out. Recently, especially with this last set, the incoming have been slower and farther apart so it has been more difficult to determine if there will be more coming in.
This is the reason for my question to participants.

deborah (Wednesday, 21 April 2021 13:22)

Thanks Carole for your feedback and considered suggestions. I probably cannot stick to such a formal time frame, being someone who often does not know what day of the month it is, but a rough 4-5 week spacing could be achieved.

Would still like to hear from others is this is good for them as well.

d

Carole Aida (Wednesday, 21 April 2021 12:50)

Hi! I just received my envelope of Series #7 materials today (April 21).

Perhaps a 4/5 week schedule would work for most people. The packages could be sent a few days before the beginning of the month and people could plan to have collages done by or before the end of the month.

By keeping it to a rough "monthly" schedule participants could plan and have a sense of the timelines. Everyone will know that they can expect new material at the beginning of each month and that they should try to complete and upload before the end of the month. This may require more work/expense on the part of the Gallery but it's just a suggestion.

Thank you so much to everyone involved both at the Gallery and the other participants!

PS- For those eager to do more, there are so many other challenges and prompts on IG to keep you busy while waiting for the next package of material!

deborah harris (Tuesday, 20 April 2021 11:58)

We just sent out Series #7 images on Friday (the 16th) I just want to ask participants
to let me know if this seems too soon. We are receiving works over such an expanded time frame, some work comes in within a week of sending out and some are still being received three or four weeks later. Obviously, the first contributors are impatient to get the next installment while those whose process takes longer do not want to feel rushed. We are trying to accommodate everyone to the best of our abilities so feedback would make this easier.

Jay Hodgson (Monday, 19 April 2021 13:44)

Looking through series #6 and just wanted to say how much I'm enjoying this process — it's fascinating to see how everyone interprets the same work differently! Too bad we can't hang them all together in a space somewhere!

Paul Foster (Sunday, 18 April 2021 18:49)

Some very creative and beautiful collages. I love the images and they help me to see with new eyes. Thanks to everyone involved in planning and collaging.

Tonie Norman (Sunday, 11 April 2021 19:43)

In Colourblind I like the way the images, bookended between the windswept barren land, take on something otherworldly and new. The eerie music felt perfect.

Carole Aida (Wednesday, 07 April 2021 16:18)

I love the video. I felt I was on a magical journey experiencing the collages in B&W. I'm going to see how my "Windswept" air balloon collage converts to B&W. The original is so colourful that I'm not sure if it will be successful.....but I'm curious! ( I'm still trying to create something using the other images.)

Susan Eckenwalder (Wednesday, 07 April 2021 15:17)

Thought the collages very effective in black and white, my two favourite “colours”.

ed d. (Monday, 29 March 2021 18:10)

a brand new collection, collected together by eron and deborah:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9INmsczjnAA
-
music by Luke Gilliam, a long-time friend of the gallery and a collagist too
-
ed

Carole Aida (Thursday, 25 March 2021 15:29)

Hi! I just received my package today (Thursday March 25).

I was surprised to see they are B&W but am up for the challenge. I have noted deborah's message and will be adding my own elements to the mix!

C.

Rena Sava (Wednesday, 24 March 2021 16:25)

Mail arrived today, thanks, working on it.

Sara MacHin (Wednesday, 24 March 2021 11:15)

Serie #6
Arrived
Surprised by the
Black, Grey and White
What else can I
Discover ?
What else will be
Revealed?

Mary Lou Payzant (Tuesday, 23 March 2021 13:47)

March 23
My package just arrived, and quite a challenge it is! But I will follow Deborah's tip and look for colour pieces to incorporate. Can't wait to get started!

Mary Lou Payzant (Saturday, 20 March 2021 22:50)

Greetings from Halifax - I am so enjoying seeing all the great collages as they come in almost daily, it’s a lovely greeting to the day even though I rarely know what day it is in these curious times. So far I’ve only achieved one collage from the two envelopes I’ve received but I loved making it and look forward to doing more. Thank you so much!

Carol Roundtree (Saturday, 06 March 2021 22:56)

My recent piece using the Kandinsky image included ‘drawing to music’ ie the sketchy lines are actually my drawing to the music of jazz artist Oscar Peterson- a technique I learned from Kaz Ogino. I call it ‘Kandinsky plays Oscar’.

Tonie Norman (Thursday, 04 March 2021 08:55)

For this series #5 it was very interesting to read Vivian's breakthrough using the little scraps. I too had spent time working that way and did not see a path forward. Vivian's descriptions and observations of her process helped me to better understand some of the airy hard to grasp feelings I experienced when working with the scraps. And sparked excitement for my next efforts.

Paul Foster (Tuesday, 02 March 2021 21:08)

I enjoyed seeing all the different creative solutions to Series #5. Some really amazing pieces. I love the whimsy in some and the sheer "I would never of thought of that" response many evoke in me. I'm enjoying the collage exchange. Thanks to all the collagists who participated.

Vivian (Thursday, 25 February 2021 13:29)

In the final collage I did, I tried to use up as many as I could of the tiny leftover pieces. This collage took me the longest. The pieces were so small that it was difficult to create any specific design or image out of them, so I put them together in a totally random way. In the beginning, I kept asking myself what was the point because since there was nothing left of the image or the feeling of the 3 paintings in these little shards, I might as well have used any old scraps. But as I started working on them, separating them into a "blue" collage and a black and white one (with some reds and yellows), and especially during the really hard process of trying to glue them down, I realized that the somehow the imagery and the "feeling" of the original paintings were still there, especially Benton's. The paintings still lived in each little shard.


This piece is now my favourite.

Ed (Wednesday, 17 February 2021 17:04)

Fifth Workshop envelopes are starting to arrive - thank you, Canada Post. I have one report each for the east and west ends of the [old] City of Toronto...

Tonie (Sunday, 07 February 2021 09:34)

Incredible to see how the four given pictures have emerged into such variety. It felt energizing and connecting to recognize the very familiar in different shapes and structures.
Thank you for all the work you have done bringing us all together in the Collage Exchange Gallery.

Paul Foster (Friday, 05 February 2021 19:47)

Amazing work. Very creative solutions. I marvel at the different ways to solve the task at hand of how to use the different works of art in new way. Great work.

deborah harris (Thursday, 04 February 2021 10:27)

It is really overwhelming to see the extraordinary work that is coming in. We always fret so much choosing the images to send out so to receive such a creative outpouring
is more that just affirming that something good is happening here.
I want to let you know that the previous workshop images are still available to view in the SCREENING ROOM. Eron has put them up with music and transitions and in that way we can archive each workshop.

Ed (Thursday, 28 January 2021 16:49)

Okay -- that's two envelopes that have arrived in the "inner suburbs" of Toronto. Thanks.

Lori (Thursday, 28 January 2021 13:07)

I just received the new images yesterday in Agincourt North. I'm excited to start on the collage.

Ed D. (Saturday, 23 January 2021 10:17)

The envelopes are away ... or at least they're waiting to depart from the local post office. Please drop a quick note here when you receive yours, and perhaps include your city, town -- or neighbourhood if you live in the Toronto area.
Thanks, Ed

Sae (Saturday, 16 January 2021 17:03)

The transition from “ wanting something new and different” to
“ explore with what I have” was a big leap for me. I still go between these two places. But it is really exciting to know that There are unlimited possibilities in limited material. I can see that when I see everyone’s work!

deborah (Saturday, 16 January 2021 11:53)

In comment #21, I wrote about attempting to use the material given almost exclusively. While the challenge of limitation is a great stimulus and I would say necessity to creativity I believe we should make use of what we have at hand in our
own environment, each of us has ease with different materials. In the workshops at the gallery we did not bring in other medium. Collage has an immediacy,
something with depth and detail can emerge quicker and with much less mess and destruction, (paint can create chaos). But now we are all at home so whatever these images and shared engagement can inspire so much the better. We are all learning from seeing each others work, recognizing fragments that we have become familiar with reappearing in such unimaginable ways. Let's just see where it takes us.

Sallie Lyons (Tuesday, 12 January 2021 11:49)

just took a look at the latest collages. as usual they were amazing. such a good way to see into someone else's perspective and choices while having mine stimulated and surprised :)



have attached the 2nd one i did (more or less a 'chance' effort of the scraps that found their way onto the page w/o much intervention from me other than glueing then down.

sort of like the 70's modern dance movement where codified choreography was challenged with 'chance dance' - initiated my american Merce Cunningham. he would choreograph a series of complex dance phrases (he eschewed theme including emotional interpretation and music as a source) that the company would learn. then each performance the dancers would choose a set number of cards with the phrase noted and perform them simultaneously, in that order to the music of john cage (made independently from merce).

the serendipitous interaction of performers in time and space would become the 'collage'

Jay Hodgson (Monday, 11 January 2021 09:35)

I just finished my first collage and found it interesting how the Picasso dominated my mindset as I was working, even though Klee is by far the more "favoured" for me. There is something very domineering about the P man's work, I find -- for better or worse. But what a blast this was. I'll be posting shortly.

Carole Aida (Wednesday, 30 December 2020 08:03)

First of all a big thank you to everyone at Gallery Arcturus for hosting this project. It's exciting to receive the prints in the mail and discover what we have to work with. I'm happy to know that my work will be seen by those who first got me started on collage. I am now obsessed with making collages. It has been a source of great joy during this very challenging year.

Like Vivian, I was a bit stymied with the second group of prints but once I started really looking at the Picasso image I saw whimsical shapes and my "menagerie" came together very quickly. It took a bit longer to find inspiration for the second collage but I'm happy with how it turned out in the end.

It's great to see what others create with the same images. Sometimes we "see" the same thing and there are recurring themes, then others come up with something so unexpected! It's always a wonderful surprise. I'm looking forward to seeing the results of the last mailing and look forward to receiving the next!

Stay safe everyone. Best wishes for a very Happy New Year and may 2021 be brighter for us all!

Jay Hodgson (Wednesday, 23 December 2020 08:40)

I received my package just now. This will be fun!

Eron Boyd (Tuesday, 22 December 2020 10:59)

Vivian, I have yet to see the seven images that you found in session 3 images, but I also produced more images than I expected. When I looked at the images, I, in theory, did not see much territory I could cover, so I was both surprised and satisfied.

Vivian Felsen (Monday, 21 December 2020 13:56)

Here are some remarks.


This collage project is a lifeline for me. First of all, it is so great to know that you and Eron are going to see these, as well as the others who are part of this project. It makes collaging by myself seem purposeful and meaningful. Secondly, I can’t wait to see what other people have done with the same images. I have deliberately not checked the Arcturus website so that I can be surprised in the end.



The latest group of collages (I just sent back 7 this morning) was the least appealing to me of all the groups. Therefore I am even more curious to see what the others have done. Though I have found each group of paintings sent previously to have its own particular challenges and difficulties, this group was very different. I was not drawn to any of the paintings.
The shapes in the Picasso were made up of smaller flat shapes which were very fractured and repetitive. Its strong colours took over the colours of the other two paintings. The Renaissance piece had few distinct figures, none of which were ones I could relate to, the colours were so depressing, and it had few interesting architectural elements. The shapes in Klee also did not seem to provide any figures or environments I wanted to work with. Basically, there were few gestures, either in the subject matter or in the compositions, which inspired me.

However, these paintings were useful in that they made me realize how important figures are to me in collage, not necessarily obvious figures, but elements that are suggestive of the figure or a face, whether animal or human or make-believe. I could find nothing in this group out of which I could successfully create my own imaginary creatures, even though you’ll see that I tried to create 3 of them in one of the collages.

That being said, I was able to construct 7 collages! But I can’t say I “love” any of them. I think I ended up with so many because I just kept cutting up the prints in the hope of making some wonderful discovery.

On the other hand, I still thoroughly enjoyed the process of producing these collages. I was very tired Saturday evening when I began working on them . I could hardly stay awake. But once I got absorbed in the collages, I was suddenly wide awake and energized for a couple of hours. I found this amazing, and an important lesson.

Would enjoy a discussion with you about the importance of gesture.

zan (Friday, 18 December 2020 16:11)

Its such a pleasure to witness so many intruiging compelling and witty variations coming out of a small stamped envelope --I have missed the inspiration of working in a group. Thanks, Arcturus friends, for bringing us back together; a centre in the storm.
zan

Sara (Friday, 18 December 2020 15:25)

Much appreciated the opportunity of partaking in a "group" work. Always a challenge to look beyond the shape/form/image, in front and make it my own, I observed the images for few days and played with possible transformations; until one day after a meditation ... no thoughts, just do , took over.
And without filtering or judging, I accepted the results. Enjoy see others collages as a caleidoscope of human creativity.

Victoria (Friday, 18 December 2020 15:02)

I am really enjoying these collages. I have just completed my second. I love what Jill said above about using the postage stamp as it is part of the experience.

Making these collages has been such a pleasant process. I work quietly, and move the pieces around so many times before I commit to their location. Being alone while I work I have no one to ask which arrangement is the best. I just have to pick one. Thank you all for sharing your works.

Sae (Friday, 18 December 2020 10:55)

Hello!
It is not easy to write the process of making collages... it's even difficult to see it as I'm doing it. But it would be exciting to know peoples process.

d (Friday, 18 December 2020 10:40)

I want to acknowledge all of the different responses to the material. Some participants have added paint and other collage elements and the results are very inspired.
Collage as a medium is very diverse and expansive. In the exercise that we are doing with the three or four images of paintings it is much more limited but I would like participants to perhaps assume that everything they require to express themselves can be found in the images. It is sort of like 'fake it til you make it'. You may doubt that this is true but if you agree to it may become possible.

So the question is what can you do with the material provided? This is an experiment and the results can be observed by all of us on the collage workshop page and discussed in this forum. Whatever else you are inspired to do with your
piece after this is a further bonus.

d (Tuesday, 15 December 2020 10:51)

Also you could let us know here when you receive your next envelope. We just sent them out on Friday.

deborah (Tuesday, 15 December 2020 10:49)

I just want to say that I hope you continue to visit the workshop page as we are
adding to the images as they come in to us almost everyday a new arrival.

Sae (Wednesday, 09 December 2020 15:46)

Because the material itself is masterpieces, it doesn't matter how I cut, the pieces are rich and beautiful. It gives me wide opening.
Somehow I feel more freedom when there are more limits.

Vivian (Wednesday, 09 December 2020 10:32)

These are great!! I'm really impressed with ALL of them. What a wonderful response and what variety. Thanks so much!!!

Eron Boyd (Wednesday, 09 December 2020 10:32)

I feel blessed to be able to work with all in this venue. It was disheartening to not have collage
workshops at the gallery for such a long time. Now that we have this grand space to meet provides me both comfort and wonder.
Using the shared images seems to offer a quality of being in a shared physical space, even though we are not!
I am very grateful to work with all the collagists old and new. I am also grateful to view so many beautiful variations using the same theme.

Jill (Tuesday, 08 December 2020 21:11)

Well said Paul.

Paul Foster0 (Tuesday, 08 December 2020 20:01)

Amazed at all the various solutions and combinations. Such beautiful images to work with and such beautiful images resulting from the collision of images, our minds, thoughts and visual habits. I'm truly impressed by the different solutions that are so beautiful and haunting. thanks fellow collagists.

d (Tuesday, 08 December 2020 12:41)

Hello. I wanted to say that in order to have the comment boxes we had to sacrifice
the possibility of simply clicking on the images to makes them bigger. However,
if you hold down the Ctrl button on the lower left of your computer and click on
the plus key you can magnify the images to 300%.

all the better to see you with

Jill (Tuesday, 08 December 2020 03:42)

Hi all,
It is such a joy to receive your envelopes via physical mail. The anticipation, followed then by their arrival is so satisfying. The postage stamps and stickers are sneaking their way into the collages as they are as as much a part of the experience as the rich images enclosed within.
xo Jill

deborah (Sunday, 06 December 2020 10:50)

Happy Sunday. I wanted to say, probably unnecessarily, that after doing the first and
perhaps second collage using the copies, that there will be smaller and smaller fragments that are less recognizable as to what their origin is. It seems that these pieces allow for even more freedom and surprise. So I suggest that you keep and collect these
no matter how small and keep going til you run out.

Jill (Thursday, 03 December 2020 14:46)

Ah ha - yes, it is very facinating how some similar themes emerge eventhough we are all apart and producing a unique work with the pieces. We truly are all connected by the images. Love it!

deborah (Thursday, 03 December 2020 11:05)

Hi Jill. It's great to know that you are out there and in here.
I realize that the shared images pose another challenge but I think that they also bring
us together in a way that would be impossible if we were all just doing our own thing.
Of course there is no strict rule that you must only use these images but being able to
recognize those same elements in each others work is the connecting link. It is also
always so surprising to see the same image used in such different (and sometimes similar) ways.

Jill (Wednesday, 02 December 2020 17:49)

Hi d,
I have been surprised by how the Online Workshop is so different from being together in the physical space at the gallery. It is equally spiritual but I am enjoying a deeper connection to the images through this new program. I love being challenged in with this format as it disrupts my own rituals and processes. I am growing here. The posted collages are really wonderful. Looking forward to seeing and sending more. xo j

wendy weaver (Wednesday, 02 December 2020 14:18)

Just commenting on the pleasure of being united this way, sharing art, colours, ideas. Thanks

Kathryn Cramer (Wednesday, 02 December 2020 12:55)

How I did mine was that I took the most abstract, the Picasso, and used that as blocking for elements from the least abstract, the Van Veen, what I thought of as a disabstraction process, and I worked from there. (For what it's worth, I think that both the Picasso and the de Kooning are abstractions of houses.)

Kathryn Cramer (Wednesday, 02 December 2020 11:09)

I resent my submission to the correct email address just now.

Kathryn Cramer (Wednesday, 02 December 2020 11:04)

I thought about the difficulty of cutting up the paintings. So I took pictures with my phone before I started.

I emailed my collage from the most recent sending to Eron yesterday.

deborah (Tuesday, 01 December 2020 09:55)

When you finish writing your message first push the white box above the send icon and then push send.

deborah harris (Monday, 30 November 2020 19:19)

One of the participants mentioned to me how difficult it is to cut into such beautiful
images of paintings. I understand it can be intimidating so for myself I see it that the paintings are communicating with each other from distant times and places and they have a way of meeting though our intervention, we are able to witness the way that they literally touch each other. This is part of the process of choosing the images we are sending to you, a shared palette is the most easily recognizable. The content of the paintings can be very different but when the colours are the same it seems easier for them to talk.
A question you may ask yourself to begin the process,- what in one painting wants to enter into another. The best that can happen is that we intensify our seeing and
therefore appreciation of what the artist was able to accomplish while taking risks to express something uniquely our own.


Please do not hesitate to write whatever comes up for you. And thank you again for
your willingness to participate in this with us.


d

deborah harris (Wednesday, 25 November 2020 15:59)

Hello, welcome to the collage exchange. We set up this page for participants of the online collage workshop to have a place to ask questions, share insights, and comment on the experience of doing collage. In this format I can respond to you and also share
challenges and perceptions that I have. I am looking forward to meeting you here.