Ellen Lindner: Art & Creativity

Well, I did it.  I had those mountain images in my head so much that I just had to do a quick collage.  This time with magazine pages.

I wanted to depict the blue sky, snow-covered mountain tops, and bare Aspen trees.  I looked at several photos to get me going, but I relied primarily on the one below – mostly for composition and shadows.   I studied it before getting started, but only referenced it briefly afterward.

Click any image for a larger view

The blue sky was pretty straight forward.

The snow capped mountains were another story.  I studied the photo and realized I would need papers with blue or grey linear patterns.  I thought these might work.

I did a little tearing and loose placing to test my idea.  I could see that I’d need to orient the linear patterns in different directions to get the desired affect.  And I’d need to take it easy with the darkest blue/white pattern.

 
Yes!  That worked really well, and I was delighted with the effect!  (Click below.) 

Below, the remaining background hills have been added, along with the snow and snow shadows.  BTW, I tore these papers, rather than cutting them, for two reasons:  in order to work quickly and  to get a loose quality. 

Next, I added the  green trees on the left.

Finally, it was time to add one of my favorite elements:  the aspen trees.  This time I cut the paper.

 I’m really happy with this little piece.  (11 x 15.)  For me, it captures my memory of what Isaw, as well as my joy of being high in the mountains.

Ellen Lindner