Art Therapy: Transformation Collage
These collages are my attempt to communicate with my readers from the inside of the chrysalis I am in. You can make a collage to represent who you are and where you are at. And I have been dealing with a personal situation that is blocking me from blogging. Though I have not been publishing I am using collage in art therapy to explore concepts, emotions, and possibilities for changes in direction.
Because of its dual origins in art and psychotherapy, art therapy definitions vary. They commonly either lean more toward the art-making process as therapeutic in and of itself, “art as therapy,” or focus on the psychotherapeutic transference process between the therapist and the client who makes art. The therapist interprets the client’s symbolic self-expression, as communicated in the art, and elicits interpretations from the client. — Art Therapy
What is Collage?
Collage is a technique of creating a work of art by superimposing numerous overlapping images not usually associated with each other. Collage is different from other art forms because it does not dictate a particular style. A collage contains images of things of interest to you. What do you like? How are you feeling? What are you thinking about? You can make a collage to represent who you are and where you are at. That’s what I have done with mine.
The history of collage is facinating and if you have the time to research it you will not be disappointed. There are many sites in the interent you can explore.
The Chinese invention of paper in 200 BC is a starting point. The earliest examples of paper collage are the work of twelfth-century Japanese calligraphers, who used fabric and paper to create a background for brushstrokes they used to record their poems.
The term collage from the French “colle” meaning “glue” was coined by both Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso in the beginning of the 20th century when collage became a distinctive part of modern art. Both Picasso and Braque were influenced by the writings, theories, and paintings of Paul Cezanne. Along with another group, they began to paint in an abstract geometric style later referred to as analytic cubism.
Photomontage and Collage Online
Collage made from photographs, or parts of photographs, is called photomontage. Digital collage is the technique of using computer tools to create photomontage. Collage Machine and Collage Machine II are fun for children of all ages. Why don’t you try them?
Discussion
I have found that I enjoy both making paper and mixed media collages off-line and also making photomontage collages online as well. Have you ever made a collage that’s focused on answering the questions below and depicting who you are and where you are at?
- What are you thinking?
- What are you feeling?
- Which colors come to mind?
- Which images come to mind?
Related posts found in this blog:
Making Mandalas: A Magical Process
Art Therapy: Abstract Painting
Art Therapy Abstracts: The Depths
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I hope you are well and make sure you take all the time you need for yourself. I am feeling blessed, despite a few uphill battles…. I am happy.
When I see colors, I tend to see Sunshine Yellow! When I think of an image, I think of my puppy playing in the grass.
Hello Ann,
Yellow is a such a cheerful color and puppies are a joy to behold. I appreciate your well wishes. I’m so glad you are feeling happy. Don’t forget to share your smiles with everyone you meet. :)
Lovely thought-provoking post. My blog started with the “collage” concept (on the about page) so this was very interesting to me. I have not done a collage on paper but am inspired to do so. Color I see is sky blue. Imagine clouds. Must have something “spacey” going on in my mind.
Hi Bella,
I’ve been foggy headed lately and that’s for sure. I just visited your About page again and I’m surprised I was in such a fog that I didn’t twig to what I read there the first time I visited it. Your blog is in essence sprung from the collage concept. That’s cool.
In my mind I have always a patch blue sky and spaciousness I can enter. It’s rather like a homecoming light in the window, if you know what I mean. Thanks so much for visiting, viewing,and commenting too. And have a great long weekend. :)
timethief ~ I don’t know if it’s appropriate to say these are “beautiful” and “captivating” since that is not necessarily the purpose, yet they are. I appreciate all your articles on art therapy because art is not an easy medium for me. Thus, it’s probably a perfect one for me to explore! I did a bit with pastels a few months back at the encouragement of a friend who has been an art therapist, starting with the theme of “what am I feeling.” Then various themes would emerge in my journal and I would try to capture them with the pastels. I always get a bit stuck because I’m not a very good artist!
As more time and space emerges this summer, maybe I will have more time to play within the creative dimension. So I appreciate the resources you share here.
It seems like feeling or being blocked from blogging is giving you some time for your creative explorations, which seems to be very meaningful for you. I too support you in taking whatever time you need for yourself. I plan to play more this summer myself! Be well.
Hi Sandra,
We deal with the same kinds of issues in Art Therapy as we would deal with in conventional talk therapies, but by creating as well as talking with the therapist I find the therapeutic/healing effect is increased. This is important and revealing creative work. In fact, I’m convinced it’s critical to my health and well being. I have located the events that trigger me and know why they do. With insightful guidance and support I am freeing myself of the emotional pain. I have coping skills now and I’m not as inclined to be triggered as I was in the past. Thanks so much for your well wishes. They mean a lot to me.
Peace be iwth you,
TiTi
These are wonderful, TT, and I feel really represent your personal interests and pleasures-nature, music, etc. Personally, I have never tried my hand at any kind of visual art, because frankly I have no talent or inclination in that direction.
Thanks so much for coming and viewing my collages and for commenting on them. There are layers of my personal interests that overlap and interwine.
I think they’re lovely, TimeThief. I hope that this helps you through whatever troubles you are having.
I’m glad you like my collages. Thanks for your well wishes. I appreciate them. :)
Very neat, TT. I can’t say I’ve done much with this, but my neice absolutely loves doing it. There’s a website called Polyvore that allows users to make online collages. It su.pposed to be for fashion, but she does them with all sorts of themes. If I were to indulge I’d probably make a few based on my moods: a bright floral one with yellows, oranges and greens, then maybe a soft one with earth tones, then….gosh! The possibilities are endless!
Hi Janene,
I’ll have to check out the site you mention. I’ve never heard of it. Try your hand at it and I’m sure you will be glad you did.
These are really cool TT.
–I hadnt given it much thought before, I’ll have to look more into the history of collages.
=]
Its’s a rich history and I realized once I started reading it how much I had forgotten since college. It all came alive again for me.
Really interesting stuff, I was going over it fairly quickly, and the last one caught my eye with the eyes, the building and the toy duck, I then went back and looked at the others and they are all great. Keep it up, you may have inspired me to try something like this myself.
Try it. I haven’t met anyone yet who did and who didn’t gain some personal insight from the creative process.
I love these, TT! Collage is one of my absolute favorite kinds of art. Creating collages is incredibly relaxing, and I love viewing them as well.
It’s cool that collage is a favorite art form for you. Previously my favorite was paining. The last few months I have been creating mandalas and collages focused on depicting my life and gaining so much from doing them.
I’ve never thought about collages as therapy, pretty cool. I have made a few of them, usually as going-away presents for friends moving out of town but never to answer a particular question.
I’d love to receive a collage as a gift. Maybe you should try creating one as a gift to yourself. ;)
Great collages TT, and a great, fun way to approach art therapy. Art can be very thereputic and calming for the soul. Keep well:)
Art is a healing tool just as music is. When one looks for skillful means they find them.
Loved it, TT!…The first one spoke to me as serene natural collage, the second one spoke out for its whimsy expressions. In my case, I have found writing to be my best creative therapy.
Hi sprigblossoms,
The first one is me in a pensive and contemplative mood. The second one is layered with meanings and memories. The third one was created when I was depressed. Wrtiting is yet another means for self expression and healing.
Hi TiTi
Your collages are beautiful and I imagine they reflect your inner aspirations. I hope they help you to spread your wings and move you in the right direction.
I love to paint and be creative, so the collage really appeals to me, as did your blog about the mandalas. Thank you for the creative ideas and the resources you’ve provided.
Take your time in the art therapy and I hope all goes well for whatever is in your orbit at this moment.
Healing vibes your way.
Crystal
Dear Crystal,
I t’s so good to know that both mandalas and collage appeal to you. I have a thick pad full of mandalas. Now I’m filling a studio full of collages. Who knows what the next creation will reavel? As I am doing this things are being sorted internally and I so feel a shift coming on, though I’m still withdrawn and inside my chrysalis.
Love and peace,
TiTi
They are quite stunning tt.
Thank you Cooper. I have many others and I may post them from time to time.
Lovely collages, TiTi.
Me, I’ve gone through collage and come out the other side. When I was younger I decorated (if that’s the right word) the whole of my room from picture rail to skirting board, with collage, taken mostly from a mix of pop magazines… but in those days I felt a strange sense of guilt that I ‘shouldn’t’ only have nice things, to I ‘balanced’ up the nice imagery with the horrible photos from the Vietnam war. Eventually I had to get myself a coloured light (amber) so that in the evenings I could only see some of the detail, and then eventually I couldn’t bear it anymore and tore it all off the walls. I did a few smaller collages after that but my heart was never really in it.
Hi Val,
What a fascinating glimpse into your past. In college I was into landscapes. I dismissed collage and photomontage as being “childish”. Now I never intend to grow up. ;)
Love you,
TiTi
You really are very artistic. I hope your time out has been a time of rejuvenation for you.
Hi Robyn,
Thanks. I don’t get into this much but my hsuband and I have made a living from our art for over 30 years now. :) These digital collages are not the kind of works I do for that purpose. The mediums I’m using in art therapy are very different. As for the situation well, it still exists and I’m coping as best as I can. I’ve had some relaxaing down-time with friends and that’s been a blessing.
Thanks for commenting and caring too.
Glad you found great pleasure in collage making,timethief! What some people don’t realize is that some of the mixed media art work requires some skill to blend together into a new image as 1 whole.
I haven’t gotten around to showing much nor writing about any of the artwork that I’ve done simply because it’s been a long time (several years since I’ve done it). It feels very false for me to even talk about or show much of my stuff when I haven’t “practiced” any true art for a long time.
http://cyclewriteblog.wordpress.com/2011/05/07/cycling-a-piece-of-maidie%e2%80%99s-global-relay-journey-calgary-alberta/
Behind this doll, is actually 2 artworks that I did awhile ago. On left, is an oil painting of waterfall in NZ. On right, is a collage made of water ink block prints on various types of papers. It is also waterfall and eddies but an abstract,
When I moved, I brought along just 4 collage mixed media paintings that I did. It’s a great feeling to have art pieces that move with you in life no matter where you go.
Now if I find some room to put some unused art supplies, new blank stretched canvasses and a pile of block prints waiting to be used.
Needless to say, it requires a frame of mind and proper set-up to do all this. Right now blogging is competing heavily over my personal time after work.
I’m so impressed Jean. I had no idea that they were your work. I’m not great with oils at all. I’m far better with inks and have always admired those who were good at oil painting. The abstract is very mystical looking. Your creations absolutely wonderful. The more I learn about you the more common ground I discover we have. Art therapy isn’t all pleasure but making these collages did provide me with some deep insight. I confess I had no interest in mixed media at all in past years. At that time I thought mandalas were neat but didn’t make any. Now I’m finding so much benefit from depicting myself and my life and interests and fears and feelings in both mandalas and collage.
With much love,
TiTi
I’ll get around to featuring some of my amateur work on a blog –some time. I haven’t worked in oils for a long time because of the headaches I get from using turpentine and other solvents…despite cross-ventilation of air at home.
How do you take photos of your artwork so it looks “professional” photographed. I find it a challenge.
Art is the best therapy there is. Collages are wonderful because anyone can use ready images and create something personal with them. Your collages are beautiful and very meaningful.
Hello Marie-Louise,
I agree with you. Thank you for seeing the meaning in them. I’m enjoying your art blog very much.
P.S. I’m sorry it took me so long to reply. There’s a great deal going on in my personal life and I’m also entertaining company until the 10th.
These are stunningly beautiful, TT. So glad you can express that way. I also appreciated your information on the therapeutic benefits. Think of you often…sending you big hugs!
It’s so great to see this comment from you. Sending you a HUG in return.
With love,
TiTi
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