Creative block can be really disheartening so how do you get out of it? A question I asked in a recent Instagram post sparked an idea for this blog post. The technique that has helped me shake that creative block over the years is collage.

In my studio plan chest I have a drawer dedicated to collage materials, my collection includes:

• Old artwork donated by workshop participants and fellow artists
• Magazines from membership subscriptions
• Old packaging that has a great pattern or texture
• Postcards from exhibtions
• Old photographs from vintage albums and donated by photographers I know

You can use the imagery, texture and patterns from the materials as a starting point or a particular theme for a project. I used this technique when I started my Fancy Goods collection of work.

Working with interior design magazine, I cut out images that I thought could create fun abstract sculptures. These collages helped me work through ideas and eventually became pieces or work which I printed and stitched into for my exhibition in 2025.

Last week, I started to create collage inspired by photographs of a rusty boat that I found in my research images folder. The texture of the rust and peeling paint lends itself to collage and building layers.

I used old papers from fabric dyeing, eco printing samples and pieces of embroidery donated by my friend and fellow textile artist Maria Walker. I’m working in an old scruffy A3 sketchbook and trying not to waste anything, even the trimmings from pieces of found paper. I also dug out some art materials, adding little details with a fineliner and oil pastels to add more colour and pattern to the layers of collage. I’d forgotten how much fun it was to just play with materials and I filled 3 pages in quick succession.

Why not try this technique when you’re feeling a bit stuck and uninspired, you don’t need loads of materials and equipment to get started:

• Plain paper or a sketchbook
• Scissors or a craft knife
• Glue or double sided tape
• Different papers
• Drawing materials

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