Before I retired to my current life of abundant free time and art lessons, I used to do collages whenever an artistic need struck me. I kept files of photos, illustrations and images cut out of magazines, books and other sources. My collages were done the old-fashioned way with scissors and glue. I could produce a collage in an hour or two every once in awhile.
My biggest collage project was this 2009 calendar made as a gift for those who attended the drumming circle which I facilitated at the time. Each month featured a collage illustrating one of our favourite songs/chants honouring the Divine Feminine. I did the 13 original collages (counting the front cover) over the course of the preceding year and then took them to my favourite copy shop to be printed in calendar form.
Here is a sample of three of the collages. Because it's hard to read the song/chant lyrics which the collages illustrate, I've typed them out for ease of reference following each photo.
We all come from the Goddess
And to Her we shall return,
Like a drop of rain,
Flowing to the ocean.
There is a secret one inside:
All the stars in all the galaxies
Run through Her hands like beads.
Goddess is alive --
Magic is afoot !!
Last year on a previous Thursday Art Date post, I featured another collage from this calendar honouring the goddess Yemaya -- click here to view that one if so desired.
Thank you, Rain Frances, for another wonderful prompt which gave me this chance to go down Memory Lane!
[Collage art © Debra She Who Seeks, 2009;
Photos of collage art © Debra She Who Seeks, 2023]
45 comments:
We had a friend who did 2by2 inch squares, I had one of his. Neat work.
Dear Debra,
wow, that is a beautiful calendar! You show very great women's power pages here and also in your earlier posting.
All the best from Austria
Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2023/01/costa-rica-3-kapitel-was-sollte-man.html
Those are all very cool. I remember when I was little I had a friend, and his mother would scour magazines and do collages like this also. Her subject matter? Cats and dogs. If I recall correctly she almost had an entire wall filled with dog and cat collage boards that she made.
These are just brilliant and I love the quotes. I also more than you know love the comment you placed on my blog today. The reflection of red on my warrior sword on my witch broom. Thank you so much. Have a Blessed day.
Such a great idea, Debra, and beautiful work! The pages on the calendar could be framed and enjoyed forever.
These are wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing. Handsome Son goes to a couple of drum circles, so I know the idea. Your art is a great partner with it.
Debra, I love these. What beautiful work!
Love,
Janie
Very nice!
I love collages. I know someone who makes them and they are A LOT of work!
When I was seventeen, my friend and I found a treasure trove of porn magazines and we cut all the the men out and made collages for our rooms. People who got very close to them got an eyeful. LOL
XOXO
These are great. Thanks for sharing.
Wonderful work with collages.
These are absolutely beautiful, Debra. I remember the Yemaya collage from last year. My daughter made many collages in middle and high school, and occasionally still. The dramatic and moody ones from the teen years are... quietly hilarious. For years I would save photo-rich magazines to take to the art teacher at her high school.
Every time I read 'Art Date with Rain' I think about gray skies outside and a cozy, bright studio inside. But, I'm from the PNW so it's often like that.
Thanks for sharing!
E
I used to enjoy doing colleges. Yours are beautiful. I remembered last years!
I never made one. Although they were all the rage for a while. Make a wish collage
And hang it where you can see it. So you can concentrate your intent.
Since at the time I had small children I just never got around to it
Quite a hard work to put them altogether
Nicely done, Debra. I like it. I haven't done a collage in ages but this makes me want to tap back into my artistic side. It has been dormant for too long. Take care.
Bravo. I like them all.
Who's the hot chick in the first picture?
Your collages are far more sophisticated than mine and so very professional looking. The only thing we have in common is they are all created using scissors and glue. Yours blew me away. I like your subject matter, too. You definitely honored women.
I love your collage, it's so beautiful. And I love those lyrics "We All Come From The Goddess" is one of my favorite chants/songs. :)I haven't heard of the others though.
-Quinley
@ Mike -- The woman in the "We All Come From the Goddess" collage is Canadian Inuit throat singer and recording artist Tanya Tagaq. Her website and some of her latest songs and videos are found here:
https://www.tanyatagaq.com/
@ Bleubeard and Elizabeth -- Thank you for your very kind words, but you are underestimating the power and beauty of your own beautiful collage work.
Always have enjoyed what you can blend all sorts of stuff, and make such a lovely collage.
Beautiful work, Debra. Collage is a hard art form to master, which you have.
Those are lovely collages, and I like the idea of a goddess drumming and chanting circle. And since I didn't see you blog last year, I liked going back and seeing what you did before. Have a great end of the week.
I like your work
I hear that we will be entering a Rabbit Year with this new moon. Like sometime on Sunday or Monday, with the New Moon. I am not prepared, this is an early one. After all these tigers and goats and pigs and roosters and oxen, it might be nice to have a Rabbit Year. I am not prepared. It seems kinda early, but i welcome it.
I come from Gethen, which is an imaginary place that Ursula K Le Guin conjured up from pure imagination. She wrote a whole book about it. I think it was called The Left Hand of Darkness or something like that. I am here to tell you that this book saved my life one time. I will not be discouraged. I am still the child of my ancestors.
Wow! Amazing collages. You have a wonderful talent and it is fun to see it shared here. I hope you have a most wonderful weekend- xo Diana
...after 50 years of working I finally retired and I love it.
Your collage art is awesome and your spirit divine ~ Xo
Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Great work, very creative. Nothing like doing things in the old fashioned way.
We have a drum circle here in Manitou Springs that gets together every Thurs. night in the summer. I expect you would be right at home.
I have a friend who plays in a drumming group and I have attended some of their concerts ... amazing, fascinating and beautiful. And your artwork seems to go hand in hand with the rhythm of the drums. The Calendar is surely a delight ...
Andrea @ From the Sol
Your drumming circle friends were fortunate to receive such a beautiful gift, Debra. I've done a number of collages over the years. I simple don't indulge in my artistic side enough. I have files of images and words. I can't resist collecting them. Have a great weekend!
These are some wonderful collages and go so well with the words. What a lovely idea to make an entire calendar of them.
In that vey last collage, is that Stevie Nicks in the upper-left-hand corner?
@ Kirk -- No, it's not. She was a tarot reader and crystal ball reader featured in a feminist publication a number of years ago. I can't remember what her name is, but it's not Stevie Nicks the singer.
What beautiful collages!
I like all sorts of art. collages are one of my fav art to do.
Coffee is on and stay safe
You are quite clever and artistic; it is a joy to behold.
interesting! I would like to own one of the drums :)
I love these so much......
You have gift of creativity my friend and I have seen how powerfully it shine through your paintings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !
I remember girls doing this kind of art in their note books but didn't know it is called collage.
Your is not just beautiful inspiring and reflects your strengths and beauty :)
I love collage art. One of the witchy ladies I follow on a few different platforms, Kelly Ann Maddox, shares some of her work from time to time, and lately it's had me curious about trying my hand at it.
You're welcome Sweetie! Your collages are beautiful, I love the tribute to the Goddess, very beautiful! ♥♥♥
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