I’ve been having a great time making postcards for iHanna’s Spring Postcard Swap. (The last day to sign up is May 10th.) I decided to use a technique of mixed media collage, using acrylic markers, magazine clippings, photos from Unsplash.com, and bits of ephemera.
One of the things I love about collage art is the unpredictability of it. When I draw, I have something particular in mind. But with collage art, it’s so random. I’m always surprised by what shows up when I assemble various clippings and paint markings.
Another thing I love about mixed media collage is the freedom of imperfection. The wonky shapes, the mismatched sizes and perspectives, the different textures, and the surreal mix of photos and paint are delightful to me.
Sometimes the background pattern is the star of the show, while other times it’s just a small part of the action.
I love using words in my collages, and I’m always pleased to find something whimsical and random that makes me smile.
Sometimes it’s fun to write out the words myself, but mostly I love to find words “in the wild.”
I’ve made 16 postcards so far. Do you have a favorite?
Thanks for reading!
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So fun, I love them all & agree about how fun it is to be surprised by the serendipity of a collage comes together. It’s always a joy to me!
Happy May!
Thank you so much, iHanna! I love the word you used – Serendipity! It’s just perfect for the feeling of collage!
These are awesome! If you’re going to force me to pick a favorite, then it’s the fierce butterfly!
Thank you so much, Birchie! I can’t remember where I found those words, “Start something fierce.” I wonder what the original context was!
These are wonderful! So is each postcard thick with all the pieces or do you scan them and print on card stock? I’m leaning toward the sunflower and green parrot as my favorite, although the Make a Wish calls to me because it is blue. Wait—Hope is wonderful, the way the flowers appear to lift off the blue background.
Thank you so much, Jana! The postcards are all thick and lumpy originals, sealed with matte Mod Podge. I hope they survive being mailed!
Well of course I love them all BUT I think I might like “Make a Wish” the best. Well, that and the fierce butterfly. Or Hope. Or a World Full of Colour. DON’T MAKE ME CHOOSE MICHELLE!!! Lol! I just love your creativity!
Thank you so much, Nicole! I like the make a wish one too – I think I like the simplicity of it.
These are SO fun! I love the unexpected combinations of colors and shapes. The Make a Wish one is my favorite, followed closely by the procrastination one! But they are all SO cool. I love seeing your creativity in action, Michelle.
Thank you, Suzanne! That’s so sweet of you. The make a wish one seems to be the top voted one – and it’s actually my favorite one too.
These are all so beautiful and whimsical! The make a wish one is my favorite. We are still very much in the stage of life where the kids love blowing the seeds off dandelions!
Thank you, Lisa! What a lovely stage of life to be in, enjoying the magic of dandelion seeds!
I love mixed media!! I think I’m drawn to the procrastination one the most—it really matches where I’ve been lately. But they’re all so amazing! 💜
Thank you, Kari! I love that one too, because it makes procrastination sound like something to strive for! And sometimes, it is!
These are so very cute and creative. I’ve never dabbled in collage like this, and I love it. When I made my photo album from the year I studied abroad- I cut out all kinds of magazine headlines and clippings and arranged them on the page with the photos. I recently went back to look thru that album and laughed at how many headlines were so appropriate for the picture.
I think my favs are a toss up between keep smiling and the mess one. Both relatable. Thanks for sharing. I feel like a project like this would be a good idea for Kay and I over the summer.
Thank you, Ernie! Collage would be a really fun project for you and Kay – I hope you give it a try!
Hi Michelle! I love every one of these postcards but the parrot and sunflowers “yes to the mess” is my favorite I think. The parrot saying hello to the hummingbird made me smile too.
Thank you, Dulcie! I appreciate your kind words!
Hi Michelle! I love your postcards! There is nothing better to me than free creating and your collage is full of that and so joyful! Seeing them all together is a treat for the eyes. I can’t stop smiling, indeed! Even if I can’t spare the time to further a minis project, as long as I can be creative in some way every day, I am at peace. I can see you are kindred in that!
Thank you so much, Jodi! I appreciate your kind, encouraging words!
Ohhh so I could still sign up. Not sure if I have the time. But I will read the conditions again. Maybe this time around it works out.
Of course all your cards are amazing. But I am drawn to the blue one. Can’t help it.
Finding fun little quotes and sayings is such a fund treasure hunt.
You are so talented, Michelle! These are all so beautiful! I think my favorites are the “world full of colour” on the second row and the first one on the third row. That bird looks like the one I had as a child!