"Words to Live By", Anne B.'s Vision Board, Collage, 16 x 20 inches, January 2012. Anne's board is composed of 50 images; 48 of which are words or phrases!
My first few email discussions with Anne B. led to a flurry of misunderstandings on my part. When she described herself as a retired, single woman needing to build a positive outlook in her life, I envisioned a little old lady stuck at home alone (even though I should know by now that 60 is the new 40!). When I discovered she was still a spring chicken, and a former athlete at that, I was so embarrassed! Upon learning of her health-related afflictions, I didn’t know what to expect or if I should specially prepare my studio for her visit, but she assured me she’d be fine as she’d been living with these ailments for quite some time. Come workshop day, I was greeted by a vibrant, thoughtful personality, and although I noticed her hands were a bit shaky with a pair of scissors, I was impressed by her sense of ingenuity in making the process of collaging work for her… varying her cutting by ripping papers instead of only tearing them or using a paper cutter to make straight edges where needed. At home when she didn’t have a brayer handy, she used a rolling pin to flatten her images! Once complete, her board was a visual, technical feat of wonder as well as a great source of inspiration for her spirit! Here’s Anne with some further insights into her vision board journey…
1. Anne, will you tell me briefly about your background…
I am a 48 year old single woman. I am retired due to poor health (MS and Lupus). I am very oriented towards sports and medicine. I had recently tried some forms of art therapy. I found them very enjoyable and revealing, but unfortunately focused on drawing and painting; two artistic skills that I lack. Art was something I enjoyed and admired, but did not create.
2. What attracted you to the Vision Board Workshop?
I had seen a completed vision board and was fascinated by how clearly it revealed the artist’s ideas and feelings. I was encouraged to make my own board, but had no idea how or where to begin. The workshop seemed like the perfect way to learn the fundamentals, get a starting point and see if I enjoyed the medium.
3. Did you have a vision/dream in mind before you began the workshop? If yes, what was it?
At first I had three or four ideas. I was trying to figure out how they could all be well represented on the board. The pre-class homework helped me narrow down my ideas into one vision. One week before workshop, my vision changed. The more I had been thinking about it, the more the idea seemed to narrow down and appear more focused.
My vision/dream was to find words and/or pictures that were positive and motivating. They were to focus on a positive attitude and what I desired to accomplish with my self-healing work/journey.
4. How did you find the process of collaging your vision board? Was visually setting down your ideas helpful to you or revealing?
The process was fascinating. It quickly showed a pattern of what I wanted to express. Putting everything all together on the board made each individual piece become one very powerful piece. It was as if a magnifying glass had focused on who I wanted to be. It was clear and obvious to me. I saw many different techniques and patterns. The finished board was expressing what I had been feeling inside.
5. Where is your vision board now? Is it working for you?
It is in the living room, leaning on the wall behind my reading lamp. Having to focus on one clear idea and then have each picture or word validate that vision was, and continues to be a powerful experience. It reminds me not only of the message, but of the hard work that I did both mentally and physically to achieve the end result of a finished board. The final piece is a revealing and honest expression of my feelings and ideas and that is what makes it a piece of art to me.
Thanks for your reflections, Anne. I love the way you describe your vision board as being a kind of giant magnifying glass – what a perfect way to think of it! It certainly does bring things into focus like never before. I’m glad to hear you feel its power invoking that positive outlook you wish to have on your life. I feel a great positive energy flowing through the words and phrases you’ve chosen to place on it. I’m glad that you’ve found an art form you feel you can finally express yourself with. Collaging has always been such an easy medium for many to adapt to. Judging by your fine sense of colour and design, I see the skills you learned from painting and drawing shining through. I love too how you’ve seamlessly integrated a couple of key images into your texts. You’re a pro at collaging and I look forward to your future adventures with the medium… whatever you do, I know it will be amazing! Keep smiling!
Anne B. after finishing her vision board!
Vision Board Quick Tip:
Text gives you the opportunity to put all those advertising slogans used to seduce you into buying products, into creating your very own dream /vision. When using text as the driving force of your vision board, consider varying the font types you use so that each word/phrase stands out on its own. Using a variety of fonts in different colours, forms, sizes and cutting styles gives each thought a unique personality and voice. Anne’s board is a great example of how text size /colour can evoke a sense of volume (loudness / softness), power, humour or importance. As well, arrange your text so that it can be read in various directions: up, down, left, right, across or on an angle; this will make your board visually dynamic and enables you to appreciate it from various vantage points.
Stay tuned for a peek at another student spotlight from my winter collage journaling workshop coming soon!
Leave a Reply