Finding joy in gathering… the little things.

If you are anything like me, always on the hunt for unique materials to use in mixed media collages, you will love this blog post!

If you aren’t doing this already, I invite you to:

• start going though those magazines you have instead of letting them pile up on your coffee table.

• And start collecting scraps and momentos that you come across during your day.

• Start cutting and tearing pieces of paper that appeal to you.

Just glue something to another piece of paper and see what you can create, and become aware of how your mood changes.

Here is a list of ideas to get you started:

Every year, Libraries sell (and give away) old books and magazines. These are great for cutting and tearing up. 

Thrift Shops have old nature books, magazines and picture books that are perfect for collages. 

Buy Magazines, enjoy them and then cut them up. My absolute favourite is Daphne’s Diary!

Check Online Marketplaces for people giving away old magazines and books. You can also often find some great materials like embroidery napkins and lace for free.

Online Stores like Etsy and eBay carry origami paper, handmade papers and interesting textiles that you can often by sample bundles of that add a special touch to collages.

Online Imagery - I like to search for specific images on Unsplash, Pinterest, and Google search. Print them out for custom collage elements.

Interior Design and Paint Stores - Ask for old wallpaper and upholstery sample books. Paint chips also add vibrant colours to your artwork.

Look for unique Found Items like old peeled paint, maps, broken jewelry, buttons, ribbons, and produce netting. These can add interesting textures and elements to your collages.

Online Image Resources

Internet Archive Book Images on Flickr is a searchable database of 12 million historic, copyright-free images

The The New York Public Library's digit collections is a living database with new materials added every day, featuring prints, photographs, maps, manuscripts, and more.

Would you like even more ideas?

I have created, The Ultimate List:  100 Mixed Media Materials.

Yes, this is Every Obscure and Eclectic Mixed Media Materials I’ve Uncovered!

You can access this downloadable list here.

I believe that the beauty of mixed media art lies in its diversity, so use these ideas as a launchpad to be free and experiment.  I encourage you to combine materials in unique and imaginative ways!

I created this painting while on a wellness retreat with just a few art supplies. I used things that I received at the retreat as my inspiration. A piece of string dipped in paint to make her hair. A gift bag and a colouring page for her shirt and hands. A printed poem across her face…

Remember it is all in the layers. Experiment with different papers, fabrics, and textures. Create visual stories by stacking and combining elements.  Let your viewer discover new details with each glance!

I hope this list sparks some new ideas for your next collage project.

*A note about copyrights:  If you're using these materials for personal projects, you don't need to worry about image copyright. But if you plan to sell your collages, make sure to check the copyrights of the images you use.

P. S: If for any reason your PDF download of The Ultimate List does not work, try this one: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sT0I3rCCVB7kA2UjuNHmssfl8QVTLzYs/view?usp=sharing