Though collages have obsessed me for the past couple of years, my heart still wants to make big squares of colour space – just adding in textures of print, text, and overlaps. (ironically, while still keeping it all perfectly flat!)
Adapting my collages from tiny sketchbook pages to canvas is its own adventure.
Will the images translate larger? There’s an intimacy to the collages that keeps drawing me in – the details on maps, softness of torn edges, flowing Chinese ink washes.
Of course, I find these small moments in painting too – usually found in glimpses of bright underpainting colour peeking through hazy mists, or hints of drawing marks emerging from dark forms.
As well as losing the softness of a paper surface, there are technical issues working with collage on paper.
Magazines are shiny paper, a resist to my water-based acrylic washes in acrylic. Chinese paper and vintage book pages are delicate and could tear with the rougher use of large paintbrushes. Controlling movement of marks is easier in limited areas, keeping carbon pencil lines from smudging or ink splots from spreading. How to keep control at 50cm or larger?
Always up to the challenge, I’ve delved into some new materials to push my technique. Liquid acrylic inks for larger washes. Paper-specific Modge Podge to seal the paper to the surface and prevent damage. Transparent absorbant ground (gesso) to build a paintable surface on top of the different paper textures.
The journey has started with canvases as tiny as the original collages. From sets of 4 inch and 5 inch canvases, to a couple slightly larger 10 inch rectangles and 12 inch plywood bases. A couple of 20 inch square canvases are at the ready!
But will the whole thing have collage? Or have a glimpse revealed from a hidden area? Or maybe I’ll have simpler collage and draw out the linework to envelope more of the painting?
I can’t wait to share whatever happens.
If you like the new pieces so far, check out the One Painting page. Only one of these artwork is available each month as a special offer.
TINA MAMMOSER 