Creating Collage Using Daily Life Ephemera:

Untitled, Collage Journal Page, February 11, 2011

Yesterday, I gave a visual journaling workshop at my friend/artist Wendy Southin’s studio: Dragonfly Dreams. Here’s a fun exercise we tried using recycled bits of material from our daily lives to create journal pages. This method was derived from the work of twentieth century German Dada* […]

Student Spotlight: Andrea Harrison’s Taste of Ancient Wrath

Ancient Wrath, Collage, October 2010, 9×12 inches, by Andrea Harrison

Andrea Harrison and I go way back to high school. Every now and again over the years we’d bump into one other and update each other on the paths our lives were taking. I soon discovered that Andrea, a Project Manager who works […]

Vision Board Workshop at the CCCC

Today thought I’d share some reflections and photos with you from last week’s Vision Board workshop held at the Crichton Cultural Community Centre (CCCC).

It was an absolutely freezing cold winter day (-32 degrees Celsius! brrrrrr) when five brave students made it out early Sunday morning to take my half-day workshop. I was glad […]

Collage Workshops & Courses at the CCCC

Crichton Cultural Community Centre, 200 Crichton Street

One of the Centre's spacious classrooms

Another view of the classrooms with my hubby Kevin

The CCCC provides a great atmosphere for creating art!

Me waiting for you at the […]

Vision Board Workshop at Dragonfly Dreams: Living the Dream

Maggie Jordan, Vision Board (detail), Collage, November 2010

Sheila Cain-Sample, Vision Board (detail), Collage, November 2010

Olive Jones, Vision Board (detail), Collage, November 2010

Wendy Southin, Vision Board (detail), Collage, November 2010

Ruth Watt, Vision Board (detail), Collage, November 2010

Part Two:

Vision Board day […]

Vision Board Workshop at Dragonfly Dreams: Living the Dream

Michelle Casey, Vision Board (detail), Collage, May 2010

Part One:

Part of the vision board dream I created for myself a couple of years ago was a desire to be a great art teacher. Each time I hold a class, I feel myself slowly […]

Student Spotlight: Jacinta Barroso’s Romantic Collage Journey

Romance in Europe, Collage/Mixed Media, October 2010, 9×6 inches, by Jacinta Barroso

It’s time for another student spotlight… this time from my Basic Collage workshop held in October. As a new instructor, it’s hard to know what to expect from students who are first time collagers (hey, I […]

Susan Ashbrook’s Dream Studio Vision Board

Susan Ashbrook with her Vision Board Summer 2010

A Closer Look At Susan Ashbrook's Vision Board Summer 2010

Susan Ashbrook's Vision Board with Cat, Plans & Texts Summer 2010

Susan Ashbrook's Vision Board with Butterfly & Stars Summer 2010

There’s nothing that makes me prouder than sharing […]

How Mixed Media Collage Journaling Books & Classes Freed My Creative Spirit

"Pieces of Me II", Ottawa Public Library Postcard August 2010

As I prepare for my second show of journal pages next month, I’m anxious to share my discovery of journaling with you. In 2003, when I found myself depressed with life and art, I turned to Julia Cameron’s book: The Artist’s […]

Collaging Your Dreams: Vision Board Workshop & Student Spotlight

Kevin (and his vision board) & Michelle along the Ottawa River, August 2010

After months of advertising my collage workshops I was on cloud nine when finally gave my first Vision Board Workshop in late June. Inspired by the creation of my own visual business plan, it seemed fitting that the […]