The times they are a-Changin'. Back in 2006 when a rag-tag group of friends and acquaintances began our New Year's Eve Cobourg Collage Collective, we actually stayed up to mid-night - and beyond. Some even slept overnight. It's 7:33 on NYE. Our collaging event for NYE 2023 is long finished. Today, after a 4 year hiatus, we re-convened between 1 and 5. Shorter time - same fun.
Hmmmm.... what shall I choose?
Tables were set up in Green Wood Coalition's Port Hope art hive. Everyone brought their own supplies and more to share. Some dove into their projects immediately, some just chatted to their neighbours and one even read us a story. I felt like I was in a Little House on the Prairie book.
And, when you find that perfect patterned paper and it is too thick for your project, you split tiny pieces so they will do what you want them to do.
Food? Oh my!
I love this type of sketchbook. Random pages of whatever: envelopes, cards, specialty papers - all bound together in a book.
I also like when people match their art.
Back in 2006, it took a bit of convincing to get Ted to attend. After the first event, he was smitten. His best night of the year ever since. Ted has built a 3D collage most years and this year was no different. There's one side....
.... and the other. Three things I love about this side:
the wolf's paws hanging over the edge
"Ted"'s ears. (no wonder he had good hearing.)
The look on Laura's face.
Remember the "what shall I use?" picture at the beginning of this post? Well, this is what she chose. One picture that she sliced into strips. You'll see the finished project soon.
I like the title of this one: pigeon holes.
Our newest collage artist is a medical specialist. Is it any wonder she chose to collage a stomach? A stomach filled with words and thoughts that interest her. I could see this one framed and hung on a wall somewhere.
Every year, we are blessed with young folks joining us. This year, our youngest yet. I am guessing she is 9. Nothing like starting them young.
I am sorry that I didn't get a better picture of Jill's final image. It was so well done.
And, here is that "what shall I use?" picture finished. Talk about imagination.
As often has been the case, we had a "show and tell" circle at the end. Our artists talked about their inspiration, their techniques, and even what they hoped to do with the final product.
A postcard. Maybe it will be sent to some lucky recipient. Maybe it will join other postcards in this artist's postcard collection.
I forgot to take a picture of my project. Here they are, at home. 4 bags for 4 grandkids. Copies of unfinished portraits of themselves paired with Far Side cartoons describing their characters. i.e. this grandson lived in Australia for a while and has broken his arm twice. Hence the kangaroo with an arm in a sling. Thank you, Gary Larson.
We'll let our youngest artist close out this post. She has the proper words, especially the last two.
Only 365 days until we can do this all again.
“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.
Because if you are making mistakes,
then you are making new things,
trying new things, learning,
living,
pushing yourself,
changing yourself,
changing your world.
You're doing things you've never done before,
and more importantly, you're Doing Something.
So that's my wish for you,
and all of us,
and my wish for myself.
Make New Mistakes.
Make glorious, amazing mistakes.
Make mistakes nobody's ever made before.
Don't freeze,
don't stop,
don't worry that it isn't good enough,
or it isn't perfect,
whatever it is:
art,
or love,
or work
or family
or life.
Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it.
Make your mistakes, next year and forever.”
Neil Gaiman
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