And Suddenly I Became an Artist

Make stuff, love the process, see where it takes you, keep exploring, and stay curious

Talk about learning curves!

I’ve been writing a lot behind the scenes, including a dedicated 1,000 words or more daily in

David McIlroy

’s September challenge.

But long story short, I’ve spent the past couple of weeks on an even broader range of curious discovery than usual. Among other things, I’ve been doing a self-learning crash course on collage art.

Far from feeling a sense of imposter syndrome, as I discussed here in May, I’m happy to throw myself into unknown territory and give it a go.

The Joys of Curious Adventure, Discovery, and Timelessness

If anything, the process helps me to feel more a part of the places I wish to frequent. Following so many incredible artists and illustrators here and all over the place, I feel more usefully and practically connected. Regardless of whether anyone else appreciates what I put together, the collage art is meaningful and special to me. If that enjoyment spreads further afield, that’s a bonus.

A number of new opportunities have opened up through the fortnight I’ve spent exploring in different ways. The art aspect is the biggest thing, so I’d like to share with you three of the works.

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1. There Is No ‘I’

Starting with my latest piece, There Is No ‘I’ explores the way people are complex and multi-faceted, but can so often be seen (especially online) in two-dimensional ways.

So much happens beneath the surface that even the individual doesn’t fully know their own mind. For some, the self is as much a mystery as the external world.

This piece was also an opportunity to work with a couple of new tools that I’ve just got my hands on. Tools are great, so long as you don’t collect them in the hope more tools will equal more art. It doesn’t—more art equals more art!

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2. Escapes

This piece is what started it all off for me. Almost by accident, I placed a couple of pictures together and realised I could blend and layer them. After some proper thought and manipulation, I had a contrasting background scene with a blue door.

It made me think of the many frictions in the world right now, not to mention wider global issues like the climate crisis. I had an image of a bear from another project, so I made a cutout of the bear and gave them a bluer tone.

The placement of the bear not only seemed to shape the scene well, but also gave it a longing perspective toward the blue door. Similarity and contrast made this piece pop—I couldn’t look away, and I knew I’d stumbled upon something special.

The ideas from creating the piece, combined with the door, led me to call the piece Escapes. Escapes to what, I’m not sure, but that seemed to make the title even more apt.

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3. More Than a Daydream

Since I’ve showed you my first and my latest piece, More Than a Daydream represents the midway point in my initial burst of collage creativity.

A fantastical piece that’s familiar and other-worldly. Like the character to the right having a vision of sorts. It’s hard to say what is past, present, and future. It’s tough to tell what is hopeful and what is out of reach. It’s difficult to know if any of it represents a reality or a fantasy.

I like this piece just for the way it is. The story itself doesn’t seem like it’s mine to tell. I’m being allowed in on someone else’s ponderings, leaving me none the wiser, but filled with wonder and appreciation.

I wish the character well! It is but a snapshot, even if it is More Than a Daydream, as the title states. So I can only assume things have moved on, just as time does for us all.

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Over to you!

Do any of these artworks resonate with you? Would you like to see more while I continue to learn more about collage? Have you got anything specific you’d like to see in a future collage? And does hearing more about the process itself sound interesting to you?

I’d absolutely love to hear what you think, so please drop me a comment about any of this.