A retrospective reflection written in October 2026 · The unexpected joy of collage
There is a moment of hesitation before taking scissors to something you've painted. For a second, it feels as though you're doing something you shouldn't.
Then a fragment of color or texture finds a new home, and suddenly I can see the possibility.
Collage has helped me look at old work differently. A painting that isn't working as a whole might be full of interesting pieces. A bit of texture, a surprising color combination or one tiny area that I always liked can become part of something new.
I love that process of reimagining. It asks me to let go of the original plan and notice what's actually in front of me.
It's also a useful reminder that creative work doesn't always follow a neat line from beginning to end. Sometimes I have to take things apart before I can see what they might become.
When I started looking at older abstract art as material for collage, it felt a little rebellious. I was taking something that had once been a finished piece and treating it as the beginning of a new one.
I find inspiration everywhere, including flowers, patterned paper and scraps that might otherwise be thrown away. A tiny fragment from a painting can become part of a bookmark or another mixed-media work. My boyfriend and kids have been supportive of all this creative experimenting, even when it looks a bit chaotic in the middle.
I love showing friends the unexpected results of cutting up an old piece. Their reactions and encouragement remind me that giving something a second life can be exciting, not just a little scary.
— Jaime