My collage process : Once I come up with an idea of what I wish to create, I draw thumbnail sketches to work out the composition and color palette. I do not have a finished image in mind, but leave myself open to changes and creative inspiration that happens when working.

The final composition is hand drawn on a gallery wrapped canvas and then the process of choosing a multitude of pattern papers begins!

Staring with the back ground and working forward, each hand torn or cut piece of paper is “glued” to the canvas using archival collage medium. Once the canvas is covered with the first layer of paper and no white is showing, then comes the fun part of making the image “pop” and look three dimensional.

Most times it can take many layers to get the right effect.

Creating patterned paper collages is a time consuming technique and my larger pieces can take months to complete.

To protect the final artwork from fading, dust and dirt, I apply four coats of a professional high gloss UV acrylic varnish.