Mixed-Media Collage Artists Guild

Why trees? First of all, Andrea Lewicki, the founder and organizer of the Special Agent Collage Collective and Collage-O-Rama, and Sherri both loved the idea of a 3D collage project. Sherri suggested trees might be a shape people could make easily and would have a lot of “real estate” for collage elements. After several weeks of maquette making, the project plan came together!

But really, trees? Forests are dynamic communities of plants that are in a constant state of change. The forest ecosystem is improved when there is an abundance of different types of trees and shrubs to support the community as a whole. Vibrant forests enrich the lives of the people and animals that live in and near them, all while reducing carbon dioxide.

Like a forest with a rich diversity of different plants and trees, the collage community is filled with artists who create collage in different ways. While we have individual approaches in the ways we create our art, collage itself brings us all together as a whole community. Together we co-create a vibrant ecosystem of creativity and delight, a forest of art and artists!

Step One: Choose Your Own Adventure: 2 Ways to Make a Collaged Tree

1. Collage a sheet of paper, cut into triangles, and assemble.

2. Make a tree and collage onto it directly.

Supplies:

• Lightweight cardstock or mixed-media paper. You can use heavier paper or recycled cardboard, but it is harder to fold.
• Folding tool (recommended)
• Glue
• Ruler (recommended if you are not printing out the template)
• Scissors
• Papers for collage, tree colors recommended

Note: This is a donation based event and we appreciate your contributions very much. Suggested donation is $6.00. Donation link at IPRC coming soon.

The art of creating marbled paper began around the 12th century in Japan. Suminagashi, or "floating ink" was done by dropping sumi ink onto water and gently blowing the floating ink to create smoke like patterns. Paper is then floated on the top to pick up the ink, often two prints can be made from one application of ink.

Our other approach is one that has become a popular activity for kids; marbling paper with shaving foam. Ink is dropped onto a smooth layer of shaving foam and swirled with skewers or hands to make a fun marbled effect. Paper is set onto the shaving foam to pick up the ink. The foam is then scraped off the paper revealing the marbled results. This approach is quick and doesn't require as much time for the paper to dry. This approach also can use a greater variety of kinds of pigments.

Materials (both):

• Baking dish or tray to hold foam or water (butcher tray palettes also work)
• Paper cut to fit your tray (try different type of paper!)
• Bamboo skewers, popsicle sticks
• Paper towels or cloth towels to hold wet paper while drying, plus extra paper towels for clean up

Materials (suminagashi):

• Sumi ink* or India Ink
• 2 small cups to hold ink and dispersant (soap)
• 2 paint brushes with fine, flexible bristles that can hold a good amount of ink without dripping. There are traditional sumi brushes as well.

Materials (foam marbling):

• Shaving foam (must be foam, not gel)
• Food dye, ink (fountain pen, India, acrylic), liquid watercolor
• Pipettes or eyedroppers for ink
• Spatula
• Plastic ruler

*In addition to traditional sumi ink made from wood ash, you can get Aitoh Boku-Undo sumi inks that are available in bright colors from a variety of retailers.

Sensory Note:
For anyone experiencing audio or visual sensitivity, please note that the IPRC is situated under a skatepark, which creates occasional disruptive background noise, and the lighting in the studio and classroom space is primarily fluorescent. We do have ear plugs available for members.

Health Note:
We will continue to properly wear our masks, per IPRC policy, when gathering in person to support the health of our members and their families who live with chronic health conditions. Please keep up to date on your boosters!

We Keep US Safe!