"Hands On" © 2004 Chris Dunmire
Collage of found papers and acrylic paint
on a 12" x 12" wood support.

Leaving a part of ourselves behind in our art.

By Chris Dunmire

This is one of the collages I've done in recent months for a tutorial series and instructive primer for those new to the world of collage and assemblage art (the series begins with magazine collage). "Hands On" is made up of torn and crumpled found papers (origami and newspaper) painted over with acrylic paint. As a final touch, I covered my hands in dark brown paint and made handprints in several places over the entire piece.

As I blotted my palms down, I couldn't help but to think about the art of famous masters no longer with us. Two years ago when I visited the Art Institute in Chicago, I remember the eerie but exciting feeling I felt admiring the original works of Monet, Da Vinci, Seurat, and other great masters. Standing within inches of Monet's signature gracing the bottom of one of his paintings made me feel connected to him in a strange way. How much more would I have been if he'd left his handprint on the painting! Wouldn't that be an awesome character preservation?

I really liked how the collage turned out and consider it one of my first successful efforts in this medium. After having the piece around long enough to get a snapshot of it, I gave it to my niece to hang in her college dorm. Who knows, maybe it'll inspire her to keep her studies up as she contemplates the success in my own 'collage try.'

Want more? Try these how-to collage resources offering free collage instruction, projects, and ideas. •

© 2004, 2008 Chris Dunmire. All rights reserved.