Three years ago I had the privilege of sharing a home with one of the most talented artists I’ve known, Dayna Anderson. We created a magical studio space that helped to open up both of our creative selves , especially mine.

To watch Dayna work was so inspiring, she creates with such grace..but I had a lot of shame and resistance in creating my own art. One of the best things Dayna gave me was the safety and encouragement to create art, just for arts sake. I didn’t have to make anything for other eyes to see, except myself.. and that was liberating. I didn’t know what medium I wanted to work with, but I knew I loved photographs, and I had a desire to tell deeper stories with them..but how? Fascinated with collage, I bought an exacto knife and got my hands on old books and magazines.

I’m such a perfectionist, and that limits me from trying new artistic endeavors. Dayna encouraged me to keep going, to keep doing what made me happy.. and so I did! I found my happiness, and bit more of my creative voice, through collage. It didn’t have to be perfect, and I didn’t need the affirmation I usually seek to keep going .

Little did I know, the exacto knife would become a pain relieving tool for me. It allows me to focus deeply on the small cuts that are in front of me, that it would override some of the intense pain I had started to experience. Collaging became a lifeline for me, helping my heart heal and helping me manage my pain.

Like most creative output, it’s taken me years to hone skills and take pride in my finished product. I haven’t thought about sharing the process with others until recently. I love it so much, that I want to share it with you!! I desire to continue this passion of truthful storytelling by telling your story through collage. I need a reason to keep creating, and bringing other stories into this process is the missing piece.

As Christmas approaches, it could be so fun to create art with you for your loved ones (or yourself!). So, what do you say?

Check my stories that share insight into what this could look like for you! Kindred Collages. This post shares photos from the beginning of this passion.