Rearranging Flowers

1. 1.  First lets take a look at the cardboard packaging in the recycling bin. Open the boxes carefully along their glued seam to reveal each distinctive shape. Working with an unusual shape like this can really stretch our imagination. You’ll also notice that there’s a wide range of colours, off white, cream, warm brown, cool grey. Envelopes also have an interesting shape when opened out and often have patterned insides.
   2. Choose the box shape that most appeals to you, and decide which way up you’ll use it. This is an Oxo cube box, I’ve chosen this way up so I can spread the stems of the flowers across that wide section in the centre.
   3. Next take a look through the magazines for images, colours and patterns to work with. I tend to start with one image, for example, a vase that I might put the flowers in. Rip out pages you might like to use and lay them on the table together to take a look. You’ll probably be able to see if the colours work well together or whether you need a bit more contrast or brightness. I’m thinking of a colour palette of cool blue/greens and red for my collage.
   4. Its time to start cutting. For my collage I cut out the jug as a whole object but sometimes I cut a shape from a pattern I want to use, like the flower I’m cutting out here. You can also tear shapes out, a contrast between torn and cut edges looks good. The flower shapes could be invented or inspired by flowers you know. I think these are loosely based on a fritillary flower.
   5. Assemble your pieces together and take a look. Make any changes before you start glueing down. Think about how far up the box the tabletop will extend. Will the leaves and flowers go beyond the box edges? Do you like everything to be straight or do you like it to look a bit wonky and quirky?
   6. Cover your work surface for glueing. Glue the reverse side of your cut shapes rather than the box and make sure you glue right to the edges if you’re looking for a flat finish. Think about how the shapes layer, I often have to go back and carefully lift a glued shape to place something below it.
   7. When everything is glued down step back and take a look at your art to see if it needs any finishing touches, I think the vase in my collage needs a shadow under it.

These collages look stunning framed and equally gorgeous hanging as a line of bunting. Why not set yourself a challenge to make one a week and watch your bunting line grow.

You could also try a different creative prompt. How about birds; garden growth; friends & family; view from the window; a collection or a shelf of favourite ornaments.

Happy sticking, did you know the word collage comes from the French verb ‘coller’ meaning ‘to stick together’.

‘This activity has been created with funding from the Suffolk Carers Fund through Suffolk Community Foundation’