Recipe for Fresh Collage Salad

By Molly J. Anderson-Childers

(continued from page 1)

Ingredients:

• A Fine Eye for Detail
• 2 Heaping Tbsp. of Ability to Think Around Corners and Solve Problems
• 1 C. Enjoyment of Puzzles
• Play clothes — this gets quite messy!

Method:

Assemble ingredients and cover work area with newspaper or an old sheet. Change into play clothes. Chop pictures and words into small pieces.

Brush outer surface of journal cover with Mod-Podge and stick on images, words, glitter, or anything else that catches your eye. Choose ingredients which represent yourself, or your creative goals, for this collage. Wait a few moments, until the Mod-Podge is slightly tacky, then brush a second layer of Mod-Podge over the top. Allow to dry, then add another coat if desired. Use sparingly — thin layers will dry clear, but thick layers will not. Serve chilled.

Yield: Many wonderful, creative collages!

A Note from the Chef: A collage can be a wonderful tool for self-discovery. Collage a self-portrait, or the portrait of a loved one. Make a collage of your creative blocks and fears; burn it and release them to the air. Make a collage to represent your creative dreams and goals for the future. Write a poem and cut it into pieces to use in your next collage. Make a collage from old letters and birthday cards. Make a collage to celebrate your Muses. Make a collage while watching a favorite movie or listening to music.

Marvelously Mixed-Up Drawing and Painting Sorbets

Ingredients for a Fabulous Fresh Sorbet of Drawing:

• 2 Comfortable shoes
• 2 Wide-open eyes
• 1 Willing hand
• 1 Open Heart

Method:

• Take a walk in the sunshine… visit a new neighborhood, cruise the mall, or hike your favorite trail. As soon as you spy something interesting, find a place to sit down. Examine it closely, then try to draw it without allowing your pencil to leave the page, in one long continuous line. Pick a new subject, or draw the first one in a few different ways:
• Draw your subject as a caricature or comic book character.
• Draw with your non-dominant hand.
• Sketch it quickly — five minutes or less — without erasing anything.
• Draw it slowly; try to reproduce every detail your eye sees.
• Draw the subject without looking at the drawing itself. This will look very weird and surreal, and usually does not resemble the subject in any way.
• Draw the negative space around your subject. If your subject is a tree, don’t draw the tree itself… draw everything around it, leaving a blank space where the leaves, branches and trunk are. Then, write a poem to fill the blank space.

Yield: The number of subjects for drawings is unlimited. Work until your hand gets tired!

Ingredients for a Pineapple Painting Sorbet:

• 1 Large Love of Startling Colors and Shapes
• Bright sunlight or moonlight, to taste
• 1 Gallon imagination

Method:

Close your eyes. Visualize a beautiful mountain with a castle high upon the North side. Try to imagine every tiny detail. Mix well, stirring vigorously. Open your eyes and make a rough sketch of the basic shapes of the mountain and castle with paint. Build on it slowly, trying to capture the scene within your imagination. For best results, use a fairly dry brush, with a fine point. This prevents fine detail work from being spoiled by excessive water. Freeze overnight and serve chilled.

Yield: Many wonderful paintings can be created with this recipe; let your imagination soar!

Variations:

• Paint a self-portrait or family portrait
• Paint your Muses
• Paint an imaginary landscape from another planet
• Paint a picture of the way you are feeling right now
• Paint yourself as an animal
• Paint yourself as a tree
• Paint yourself at seven years old
• Paint a picture of your creative dreams and goals
• Paint your favorite fictional character •

© 2005 Molly J. Anderson-Childers. All rights reserved.

About the Author | More by Molly Anderson-Childers
Molly Anderson-Childers is a writer, artist, and creativity consultant living in Durango, Colorado. She's published work locally, nationally, and online and welcomes inquiries about freelance writing assignments. Learn more about Molly at her blogs: stealingplums.blogspot.com and addictivefiction.blogspot.com.

Please respect the creator's copyright by not duplicating this article on your Web site, blog, electronic or print publication.

5/2/05