I wanted to display some photos I took as I was making this collage to document the process I go through in order to create one of these. 
As you can see, the last photo demonstrates how I really moved images around to end up with a completely different design than I started out with. Over the years, as I honed my craft, I started to make certain rules for myself. I never use newspaper clippings -- the paper quality is too flimsy. I never really have a theme in mind, but now I'm trying to use a color scheme so I can help myself narrow down the final selections. I'm very particular about how pictures and words overlap. I don't like "edges" and still struggle with utilizing every inch of space on the posterboard. But I feel like I'm getting there.
With each new collage I make, I get inspired to be "fresh" and innovative. Ultimately I want it to "say" something about me or perhaps even for me, that I may have trouble verbalizing, but I also like the idea that each person who views one of my collages, has his or her own interpretation of what it means, symbolizes or states to them. I'd love to hear what people feel when they first read, look at and absorb my latest masterpiece.
I enjoy expressing myself in this medium. It gives me a sense of control, making those choices for which words, phrases, pictures, etc make the final cut, but also gives me the chance to speak to the world through those clippings that catch my eye. It's cool to use so many different images -- whether of a model, a celebrity, a cartoon, a flower or one of my own photos -- and the various quotes, sayings, ad lines from magazines or brochures, postcards, etc that capture my attention and meld them all together in a way that actually says something when I'm done, is an amazing experience for me.
Now that this one is finished, I can't wait to start on my next one! Anyone else have a passion or hobby they want to share?
