Categories
Collage Workshops General

“Art for Everyone” Collage Workshop for International Students

Categories
Artwork Collage Workshops General

New Year’s Vision Board and Valentine for the Self

Many Ways to Be, Catherine Raine 2021 (This piece emerged from a Journey Dance of Manifestation and Vision Board event that I co-facilitated with Sheilagh McGlynn in January).
Detail from Many Ways to Be, Catherine Raine 2021
Detail from Many Ways to Be, Catherine Raine 2021
Detail from Many Ways to Be, Catherine Raine 2021
May Love Be Yours, Catherine Raine 2021 (I made this giant Valentine as a sample for Valentine’s Day collage workshop for international students).
Detail from May Love Be Yours, Catherine Raine 2021
Detail from May Love Be Yours, Catherine Raine 2021
Categories
Collage Workshops General

“Less Lecturing, More Collaging” Session at Teaching and Learning Symposium, Centennial College (February 25, 2020)

Facilitating this art session on the theme of “What is Education?” was a pleasure and a privilege. I loved seeing the resulting collages and hearing the participants’ insightful and inspiring comments about their work.

Categories
Collage Workshops General

Stories and Collages by Jessie’s Level Two ELL Class

I enjoyed providing collage facilitation and supplies to support Jessie’s lesson on storytelling a couple of weeks ago, and I hope viewers enjoy the illustrated narratives that emerged.

Happy Fruit Store
(Please download the video below for a fold-out illustration of the story).

Crazy DimSum House
Once upon a time, Steven and Johnson were hungry. They went to Crazy DimSum House. By the way, they didn’t take a lot of money. Their money was just enough to buy 3 pieces of DimSum, so they bought 2 pieces. Then, one person had one piece. Johnson said it was not enough, so they got one more piece of DimSum. Then, they fought for one piece of DimSum.
Crazy DimSum House
After that, Jessie saw them fighting when she came in. Jessie said, “Don’t fight! I will take you to eat more DimSum. You can bring your classmates together.” In the end, level 2-1 class friends enjoyed DimSum.
Johnson in the Future 
Once upon a time, Johnson was at work. He was very sad because he lost his job.
Johnson in the Future 
First, he was in Japan looking for a new job and he saw an amazing bicycle in the store. Second, he bought a bicycle and a cat. He bring the cat to go to the park. In the park, he saw the sky and thought he would like go to the future and started his travel to the future.
Johnson in the Future 
Next, he arrived to the future and suddenly, he saw a lot of money and thought the future was incredible. After that, he went to look for a new job with his cat and bought food for him. He enjoyed life in Japan. Finally, he had a new job and was happy.
The Neighbour and The Bear
Once upon a time, there was man name is Tom. He lived in a small house. He had a pet, but his pet was different from other people. His pet was a bear!!
The Neighbour and The Bear
First, the neighbour felt the bear was dangerous, so the neighbour called police, “My neighbour has a bear!! Please come fast here!!!” Next, the police came to Tom’s house to tell him, “You can’t have this pet!” Tom was so sad. But one day, the bear helped Tom’s neighbour catch a thief. Finally, Tom’s neighbour knew the bear was friendly, and so cute. He was sorry to Tom.
Categories
Collage Workshops General

Inspiring College Students Describe Their Collages

Near the end of this fall semester, international and domestic students in two sections of a communications course made personal collages and wrote about them. It feels important to document the multifaceted creativity expressed in the students’ work, and I hope viewers find the following images and words as inspiring, charming, and uplifting as I have.

Tri’s Collage
Detail from Tri’s Collage
Chaehee’s Collage

Going to college is very special and a miracle that happened to me because it was a challenge that seemed impossible . . . . I didn’t have the financial condition to go to college, but I came to Canada and saved my money by a working holiday. Finally, I managed to raise the tuition by myself. So, the fact that I am going to college on my own makes me proud.
Devin’s Collage

I’ve liked to take pictures since I was in middle school. I was hated by my parents because I wasn’t good at study . . . and eventually I ran away from home often. And I used to go to rooftops to see the night views alone because it was the only activity that made my mind feel comfortable . . . I took pictures of the scenes with my phone camera and kept them for viewing whenever I remembered them . . . . At the end of high school, I decided to enter the photography program at college, and now I’ve reached my dream. Therefore, my collage is a landscape that gave me dreams and hope.
Weijia’s Collage

The collage represents that the person has multiple eyes on her. This means I am from a different culture and country, and now I try to adjust myself to many different aspects to adopt the different environment. Also, it means that I am gaining multiple abilities for different situations.
Detail from Weijia’s Collage

The two mouths show that I need to learn a second language to help me be able to live in the different country with better life. At the same time, I go to school to study fine art.
Hong Sheng’s Collage

In my collage, there are three aspects: fried chicken nuggets (loving food), Elsa (loving animation), and a painting (loving drawing). Firstly, I like any delicious food, whether it is fast food or Western food. I don’t think food has ranking; only they are delicious or not.
Detail from Hong Sheng’s Collage

. . . . In conclusion, my collage is showing that it is time to jump out of the sofa to pursue my dreams — food, animation, and drawing skills — and look to my sky future.
Yubing’s Collage: Entertaining Myself

Games assist me to keep connection with my friends. . . . I can’t always share all my life with my hometown’s friends when I came to Canada, but . . . I believe that our friendship still exists. Finally, music can be my best friend during my daily life, especially violin songs, since my mother always played it in my childhood. For example, I prefer to have some music when I am working on my artwork because it will help me to make sure how much time I spend instead of checking the clock all the time.
Isaiah’s Collage

So today in English I did a collage . . . Firstly, I put Shadow Clone Jutsu on . . because I’m currently watching a TV show called Naruto and that’s one of his superpowers. I chose everything that is blue on my collage because it represents my favourite colour. The three stars at the top represent the stars in my heart that I will let out one day.
Natalie’s Collage (1)

The birds in the background are supposed to represent thoughts coming and going . . . (and) the black and white scenery represents you ignoring/blocking out things around you.
Natalie’s Collage (2)
Mariana’s Collage: Art Is Health Care

My collage reveals that I am a very artistic person. If you were to ever meet my family, you would realize where I got that from. In my family we are visual artists, fashionistas, musicians, music lovers, dancers and singers . . . . I think I am the only one who does act ha-ha. In this collage you will see a ballerina, paint, eye makeup look, and a dress, but you will also see that it says fitness. As a dancer of any kind, your body is your line of work, your gift, your reason for creating, you instrument, so it is important to keep it well-nourished . . . and train it for any circumstance. . . . I actually enjoy working out, I feel empowered, strong and seeing the results I want . . . helps with my confidence and how I now view myself.
Detail from Mariana’s Collage: Art Is Health Care

Now, the collage also says music. I was in a music conservatory for 8 years for piano. I did competitions and recitals. I have been singing since I was very little, started dance when I was 7, quit, continued at home, then started hip-hop dance when I was 15 . . . Any who, this is my artistic collage showing my artistic self.

Sasha’s Collage

Collage is an art. And as an art it reveals our inner self. My collage started to be just a drawing but turned out to be my self-portrait. . . . First, I love bright colours and my favourite piece of jewelry is my mom’s pearl earrings. Second of all, I put some quotes from an astrophysics book with colours from paint samples. For me it is a philosophy: the universe is full of math but it is an art. I wanted to do physics before art, but decided to go to cinema college instead . . . . and depict the beauty of the universe.
Detail from Sasha’s Collage

Last but not least, I put a red ribbon on the corner. Red is my favourite colour, and also this colour has a lot of different meanings: love, blood, purity, and revolution. All these are connected to me, and I think the quote “Fear Nothing” is my go-to quote these days.
Mint’s Collage

I made the collage that shows the aspects of my life and my way to the country that I always dreamed about, Canada. First, I used an elephant to represent my country, Thailand, because elephants are our important animal, and the Thai and elephants have had a deep relationship for a long time. Moreover, once an elephant used to be on our flag.
Detail from Mint’s Collage

Second, I flew to Canada as a bird. I flew over the sea to the country that has a beautiful red leaf symbol. Canada is a super cold country, so the bird has a hat and scarf to help it (me) stay warm. Actually, I wanted to make it wear boots and a jacket too, but it was hard to find the material.
Detail from Mint’s Collage

Finally, I put the bird holding a maple leaf. I hope that I can succeed in my career in Canada even though there will be obstacles like wind and snow, and the fish is my cheerleader (ha ha). In the nutshell, this collage presents my aspects of my country, Canada, and my desire.
Categories
Collage Workshops General

ESL Students’ Collages to Supplement a Textbook Chapter on Art for All!

Categories
Collage Workshops General

Collages by International Students in a Leadership Course

Complete gallery
An engineering student envisions her future and encourages a visit to the universe.
Celebrating Canada’s multiculturalism — “Be Yourself”
“La Vie Est Belle” —
Vision of owning a flower shop in the future
“I want to have a house in the quiet countryside.”
For Freedom
“This collage shows my interest in art.”
“The collage is about my visit to Canada.”
“The penguin wishes he could fly like other birds.”
Be Happy!
“Botany is one of my interests.”
Detail from “To Infinity and Beyond”
“Where Are You Going? To Infinity and Beyond!”
Categories
Collage Workshops General

Collage Workshops Spark Language Expression

When I came to Canada, I had to start again at the bottom. I struggled and had a lot of stress. The stairs show my difficult climb back up to success.(Geraldine, workshop participant, 2015)

     Since 2013, I have led more than thirty collage sessions, and each one has testified to the power of art to nudge emotions, memories, and personal wisdom to the surface. Bridging visual and linguistic boundaries, collage creates a world of meaning in which a yoga pose, a set of stairs, and a gold coin symbolize an immigrant’s struggle to regain lost ground. As an artist and ESL educator, I appreciate collage’s unique ability to sound the depths and reveal insights that elude verbal access, thus providing a perceptive gift that builds second-language fluency and morale. Having witnessed the alchemic energy that transforms ordinary paper and glue into artistic creations, I would like to share my collage-teaching experience with a wider audience. To showcase the learning potential of this versatile modality, I will focus on the process of workshop preparation, execution, and closing harvest.

Whether conducting a session with my own students or visiting the ESL classes of colleagues, I am delighted to promote collage as an educational tool. To harmonize proposed collage lessons with the curriculum, they are usually given a theme connected to relevant textbook chapters, and some typical ones have included Relaxation, Health, Nature Conservation, Families, and Personality Traits. The artwork that results from these themed sessions provides meaningful material for discussion and written reflection, which instructors often incorporate into assigned presentations or paragraphs.

With a theme and a firm date established, workshop preparations start with a dive into several thick folders from my picture collection (an entity that has taken on voluminous dimensions of its own). As I search for images that can be tailored to the theme, I celebrate the latent promise of diverse colors, textures, shapes, and lines found in magazines, leaflets, wrapping paper, hand-made paper, tissue paper, fancy bags, and commercial packaging. While sorting through the folders, I often contemplate the artistic destiny of items such as a page from a Rumi calendar or a stamp from an old postcard. After the image folders have been customized for a particular class, I gather the requisite backings, scissors, glue, and embellishments, sometimes making flying visits to the dollar store if necessary. 

When the day of the session arrives, I shoulder two large bags full of materials and make it my mission to fire up enthusiasm for art, an attitude that lays the foundation for a lively and productive session. Upon arrival at the designated classroom, I ask for a show of hands to gauge how many participants have tried collage before. If the term is unfamiliar, I show them a sample collage and call attention to the French origins of the word (coller, to glue) while flourishing a glue stick in the air. Then I explain that collage is a process in which different pieces of paper are arranged and glued to a backing to create a new piece of art.

Before the actual collage-making begins, I assure the class that drawing skills are not a prerequisite. Hoping to alleviate possible anxiety over creative deficiencies, I strive to foster a non-judgmental learning environment, for I want participants to feel free to take a playful approach to the activity, setting aside worries about making mistakes. Thankful for the respite from critical evaluation, many students find that cutting, tearing, and pasting can relieve the stress of testing, grades, and error-correction, all of which permeate second-language study in college. Moreover, a relaxed approach gives participants the chance to defy negative beliefs such as “I am not creative” and let their imagination surprise them.

To avoid slowing the session’s momentum with overly-detailed instructions about technique, I prefer to pass around several examples of previous students’ artwork and let these exemplars provide inspiration. After the samples have made their rounds, I ask each person what colour of backing they would like and supply the tables with scissors and glue. Then it is time to release multitudes of papers from their orderly folders into gloriously messy piles. As colourful items spill out with abandon, eager hands pounce on individual images that clamour to be chosen. When I see how swiftly the learners become engrossed in gathering their images and committing to a mental picture of what they want to create, it makes me happy.

Collage workshop in progress, 2015

     Once the session is in full flow and the students completely immersed, it is fun to intensify the joyfully-strewn chaos of materials by adding alphabet stickers, stencils, markers, fake jewels, ribbons, and tissue paper to the mix. With student-selected music playing in the background, the room hums with kinetic engagement, which is in dramatic contrast to the traditional pedagogical tableau of quiet students in rows of desks, immobilized by lectures. Instead, workshop participants are free to stand up and browse materials on other tables or study the composition of classmates’ collages. As the dynamic work continues apace, someone might call out a request for a fish, a field of snow, or a feather, and these calls activate a general scramble to oblige the seeker. Invariably, cries for vowels become increasingly urgent as the sheets of alphabet stickers become more and more depleted. When requested letters or visual items are unearthed, it is rewarding for the helpers because they have provided exactly what fellow artists need to realize their visions.

Detail from student collage on the theme of Endangered Animals, 2018

Near the end of the workshop, busy heads bend low over the tables in a final burst of concentration, determined to add finishing details like a border of faux pearls or a tissue-paper flower with a questing bee. One by one, collages are declared finished, admired by onlookers, and then placed in a spontaneous classroom gallery that is curated with the aid of masking tape or magnets. To gaze at the rapidly-expanding galleries that emerge is to be awed by the creativity, energy, and humour on display, which is visible in spirited details such as a giraffe with a bedazzled purple bow-tie or two loops of string affixed by blue gems that seal the eyelids of an anguished god.

Detail from student collage, 2017
Student collage, 2017

As soon as the galleries are complete, cellphone cameras click like mad, capturing each learner’s individual work and that of their classmates. Sometimes students will make videos of the displays, walking slowly to savour each artistic offering. Whether they record the collective works or simply examine them, it is heartwarming to see groups of rapt students standing in front of the exhibits and exclaiming over art that had not existed two hours previously. Gazing at evidence of simple materials magicked into art by virtue of imaginative effort rarely fails to impact viewers; collage reminds us that creativity is our human birthright.

Thanks to the pop-up exhibits, fresh artwork now brightens classroom walls and serves as a rich resource for written and verbal responses. For example, the following transcription of a collage presentation in a beginner’s ESL class contains visionary wisdom: “Sometimes we hear a noise and we think . . . it is something dangerous . . . but usually it’s something like this cute dog who want to play . . . Fear pulls you back. If we release our fear, we can reach to the stars” (Sergi, 2013). Sergi’s classmates and I were inspired by the comforting message of his piece, which stays with me to this day.

(Sergi’s speaking presentation, 2013)

I am very grateful for the courageous willingness of over 350 students like Sergi to try an unconventional classroom activity that encourages camaraderie, poetic thinking, and artistic confidence. Until the next collage workshop, may your garden be protected by an Ewok and your baby panda lulled to sleep by a lute.

Detail from student collage on the theme of Social Media, 2017
Detail from student collage on the topic of Healthy Lifestyles, 2017

Note: A version of this essay was first published in the Marshall Alumni Newsletter, Fall 2018

Categories
Collage Workshops General

Students in a College Communication Course Describe Their Collages

Danesh’s Collage

In the bottom left corner you can see a butterfly. This butterfly is flying peacefully by the lake, enjoying the beautiful atmosphere and warm weather. The butterfly has very bright colours that can be seen from a distance. The butterfly represents beauty and peace. In the centre of the collage stands a very scary owl that is flying towards the innocent butterfly. The owl seems very hungry and vicious, and it’s trying to catch the butterfly and have it as its prey. On the top right corner of the collage, there stands a bear that is bathing in the lake and also looking at the owl as it tries to harm the beautiful butterfly. The bear represents sorrow and loneliness because it is witnessing the tragic act. Also, it feels sorry for the poor butterfly.

Ilhan’s Collage

This collage is meaningful to me because the collage I did was about peace. The main part of it is about how calm it is and how sweet also. The way it all falls together is so beautiful, yet they’re all different pictures that still fit all together. Nature is where I want to be because it is without phones, wifi, or the city. It’s just a place where you can truly be yourself and enjoy the outdoors. Why this is important to me is because I’ve always loved the outdoors and found happiness from it. The curiosity of the animal is so pure and about being around sweet things. Being outside to see all of the world has to offer is so beautiful in itself. From camping to seeing animals in their home and being in or around water is the most relaxing thing ever. Just being able to connect to something other than the world of communication is truly my image of living.

Lincoln’s Collage

I am trying to show that we need each other for survival. For example, bees need the flowers so they can make honey. They spray a liquid on the flower or on the plant so that it is good for human consumption. The flower and plants contribute to our breathing. They create carbon dioxide that helps us stay alive. Meanwhile, the owl in the picture will make a meal of the bee and the banana. The message that I am trying to convey is that we are interconnected, and we need each other.

Efaz’s Collage

There are several ways that my collage describes me. The Canadian flag describes my personality because I am too polite. The club party shows that I enjoy going to clubs as I find them vibrant and I like interacting with the people I meet. The swan describes my personality as I am amazing and easy to describe. The polar bear describes my personality as I am described as soft, cute, and short. The picture of the protest describes my concerns as I can’t tolerate racism.

Fara’s Collage

My collage allows viewers to learn many things about me. On the top left corner, I put Dior blush because it represents one of my favourite colours, pink, and it shows that I am very girly. The background of the makeup is purple hearts. I chose this because I’m a very caring, loving person, and purple is also one of my favourite colours.

Detail from Fara’s Collage

On the top right, I put flowers on the background of blue to symbolize good positive vibes, joyfulness, and beauty. As for the pictures, I put a girl dancing because I like to dance.

Detail from Fara’s Collage

When I went to South Africa, I petted a cute baby lion. It was so fluffy and soft. Although it is a picture of a tiger, I chose this image to show that I love animals. For my bottom left picture, it is in Japan and it’s cherry blossom season. I love travelling and a country that I would love to go to is Japan (and I also love music). Lastly, the picture at the bottom right represents that I like art. As for the gold, I have an expensive taste when it comes to fashion and sometimes makeup

Aaliyah’s Collage

First, my collage is meaningful because I’m artistic, and I love creating an image that fits my personality. It fits my daily moods all into one. I like to be basic and inspirational at the same time. I wanted to draw viewers in and show them what best personality fits me the most. Second, I would describe my collage as colourful, inspirational, different, and abstract. The meaning is I like everything to be colourful, have a background to it, and have a defined meaning or reason behind your design.

Detail from Aaliyah’s Collage

Coming up with different pieces of art that can be created in a way you see it, and others can’t. Third, take the time to really think about why you chose these images and plastered them onto your canvas. A person can tell you a lot by just looking at the image that you created on your own. It shows what your likes and dislikes are when you see it in person. Maybe your viewers have the same personality and thoughts as you because they see your point of view.

Omar’s Collage

We Are Not Perfect, But That’s Okay

Many of us have several ways to flip our lives back around, going through stressful situations emotionally and physically. “Getting back to our roots” is a way to explain how tough it’ll be through life. Showing the girl falling demonstrates how her emotions were completely falling and just giving up. The flip around arrow explains how the drop suddenly comes to show a slightly better outcome.

Detail from Omar’s Collage

The pattern blocks show the building up the courage to over conquer whatever it will be. Slightly upway through the building blocks, they suddenly seem about to collapse even though they are still standing. The shield with the multiple arrows shows how many thoughts are going through. The negative and positive are fighting the battle, being protective and trying to collaborate together.

Detail from Omar’s Collage

The rose with the heart shows how the negative and positive collate together to bring something beautiful. The arrow and the hexagon shape flare slowly, making its way through developing and throwing the anger and stress away. In the ending the flare will explode. The feathers or leaves expose the final outcome of someone. Even thought it’s not as bright, but we try.

Detail from Omar’s Collage
Donte’s Collage (text forthcoming)
Categories
Collage Workshops General

Spring Equinox Collages!

Detail from “What Is Your Next Stop?”
Detail from “Enjoy Every Moment”
Detail from previous collage
Categories
Collage Workshops General

Examples of Students’ Responses to Their Collages in ESL and Communication Classes

Sergi’s Collage, 2013

In the right corner, you can see a shark. He seems to represent fear. In the top left corner, this is a cute dog. It’s something kind, something good, something positive. You can also see the butterfly. And there’s a man who try to reach the stars.

This collage is about my thoughts about my life. Sometimes we hear a noise and we think that it is something dangerous. We try to turn back and looking what it is, but usually it’s something cute like this cute dog who want to play and make a noise. Fear pulls you back. If we release our fear, we can reach to the stars.

Joshua’s Collage, 2013

When you have some trouble, you must be like this woman and go ahead and keep going. Don’t stop. Sometimes when you get in trouble, your emotions is very dead. But sometimes in your life you can find little beautiful things that will encourage you, like a flower or a cup of cappuccino. They will let you have power so you can just keep going to face the trouble.

Geraldine’s Collage, 2015

When I came to Canada, I had to start again at the bottom. I struggled and had a lot of stress. The stairs show my difficult climb back up to success.

Omar’s Collage: We Are Not Perfect, But That’s Okay

Many of us have several ways to flip our lives back around, going through stressful situations emotionally and physically. Showing the girl falling demonstrates how her emotions were completely falling and just giving up. The flip around arrow explains how the drop suddenly comes to show a slightly better outcome.

Detail from Omar’s Collage

The pattern blocks show the building up the courage to over conquer whatever it will be. Slightly upway through the building blocks, they suddenly seem about to collapse even though they are still standing. The shield with the multiple arrows shows how many thoughts are going through. The negative and positive are fighting the battle, being protective and trying to collaborate together.

Detail from Omar’s Collage

The rose with the heart shows how the negative and positive collate together to bring something beautiful. The arrow and the hexagon shape flare slowly, making its way through developing and throwing the anger and stress away. In the ending the flare will explode. The feathers or leaves expose the final outcome.

Detail from Omar’s Collage

Post navigation

Previous post:
Spring Equinox Collages!
Next post:
Elora Cataract Trail after th

Categories
Collage Workshops

Collages on the Theme of Resilience

The artwork pictured here represents a sample taken from roughly ninety collages that students in three sections of a class called A Wellness Approach to Stress Management produced on the theme of resilience. Many thanks to Donata Ling for inviting me and my giant suitcase of materials to her classes for several lively and rewarding sessions!

Categories
Collage Workshops General

Overcoming Barriers with Collaborative Collage-Making (Session for Centennial College’s Teaching and Learning Symposium)

It was a pleasure to share a paper-strewn table with seven participants who made collages on the theme of Equity and Inclusion. As we gathered, talked, cut, and glued, the discussion centered on how to apply collage-making to a variety of learning tasks, such as presentations, vision boards, and reflective practice.

In a post-workshop conversation, one participant kindly offered to share some thoughts about her collage:

Donata Ling’s Collage

It’s your differences that make you you.
For each day that I walk into the classroom, it’s important for me that each student experiences a sense of wonder like the expression of ‘Wow’ in the picture. Each student is on that journey to find wonder and curiosity, which is made possible by asking questions and opening oneself to others and the world. This is what I have done through my own experiences of ‘wandering off the beaten path’ and seeing the world in its splendor and beauty. After cutting out the landscape image, I discovered a shape – the human face. It’s there that you can discover the difference in each student – in their expressions and more importantly their story (Donata Ling).

Many thanks to all who attended the session! Your insights, engagement, and creativity enriched my day!

Categories
Collage Workshops

Student Collages on the Theme of Jobs

Categories
Collage Workshops General

Student Collages on the Theme of Personality Traits

The artist’s words about her collage: “It is about the difference between public mask and private reality. After the performance is over and the make-up is removed, what do you see in the mirror?  Who are you after the glory? Maybe you are lonely.”

Collaborative collage, Catherine Raine and a student who left a partially-finished piece behind.

Detail from “Be Open and Not Withdrawn”

Categories
Collage Workshops General

Expressive Collages on the Theme of Childhood and Adulthood by English Language Learners

On the back of the collage about school, the student created a pocket to hold money.

Categories
Collage Workshops General

Student Collages on the Theme of Endangered Animals

Categories
Collage Workshops

Peace Flow and Peace Divine Booty: Two Collaborative Collages

Peace Flow, by Sheilah McGlynn, Cate Laurier, and Catherine Raine 2016
Peace Flow, by Sheilagh McGlynn, Cate Laurier, and Catherine Raine 2016

Peace Flow emerged in August of 2016 as part of a Journey Dance dedicated to peace led by Shielagh McGlynn.

img_5129
Peace Flow, by Sheilagh McGlynn, Cate Laurier, and Catherine Raine 2016

Sheilagh, Cate Laurier, and I started the piece at The Inner Arts Collective, and then I took it home to fill in some spaces and add finishing touches.

img_5130
Peace Flow, by Sheilah McGlynn, Cate Laurier, and Catherine Raine 2016

img_5135
Peace Flow, by Sheilagh McGlynn, Cate Laurier, and Catherine Raine 2016

img_5138
Peace Flow, by Sheilagh McGlynn, Cate Laurier, and Catherine Raine 2016

img_5148
Peace Flow, by Sheilagh McGlynn, Cate Laurier, and Catherine Raine 2016

A year after Peace Flow was completed, Sheilagh felt called to offer another Journey Dance for Peace, and I joined her at Pegasus Studio for a reprise of the beautiful music.

Peace Divine Booty, Sheilagh McGlynn and Catherine Raine, 2017

A collage session followed the dance, which gave us a chance to catch up as we tore and cut selected images. We had an especially good laugh over using alphabet stickers to spell “Booty” in honour of what Macy Gray had encouraged us to shake in her song “Beauty in the World.” (The vowels e, a, u in the alphabet pack had been used at my last collage workshop, so two o’s were pressed into service to spell booty/beauty).

Peace Divine Booty, Sheilagh McGlynn and Catherine Raine, 2017

As time was limited at the studio, the piece went home with me for some additional work. In the process, a peace bird, a river, a dream fish, and a feathered dancing figure appeared on the circle of green paper.

Peace Divine Booty, Sheilagh McGlynn and Catherine Raine 2017

Peace Divine Booty, Sheilagh McGylnn and Catherine Raine 2017

Peace Divine Booty, Sheilagh McGylnn and Catherine Raine 2017

Peace Divine Booty, Sheilagh McGylnn and Catherine Raine 2017

Peace. Divine. Booty. All one for a harmonious planet!

Categories
Collage Workshops General

English Language Learners’ Collages for Canada’s 150th Anniversary

Categories
Collage Workshops General

Collages on the Theme of Nature Conservation