A Collage Breakthrough
February 24, 2026
I’ve always been intimidated by collages. I just don’t know where to start with them. There are too many variables. What do you mean just leaf through a magazine or two, cut out a few things and create something out of them? Without a brief or at the very least a theme, my mind freezes. There are too many possibilities, how can I choose? If I can’t plan an artwork, I experience creative block.
Which is why I was surprised when I created the below in about 2 hours. Things were flowing, I didn’t panic, no tears were shed. I even enjoyed it.
Untitled Collage, 2025
But I shouldn’t have been surprised, I did have a brief. I’d set out to create an accompanying piece to a (much nicer) collage created by my friend Véronique Laliberté. I wanted some decoration above my bed, I loved my friend’s piece, and I thought it would be good to have another collage in the same vein next to it.
Do people iron their duvet cover? I can’t be bothered, please don’t tell my mum
The reason why my collage went so well was because I had an example to follow. A bit like doing a series, some questions were already answered beforehand: a famous person’s face, some organic shapes, using a pencil, the colour palette. I wasn’t creating from scratch: I was following some kind of recipe.
Sadly, I’m not the type of person who can just start creating something without knowing where it’s going. I wish! I’m working on letting go of control of the outcome, but progress is very slow on that front. Clearly, having a brief is the key to help me with collages and I’ll use this tactic in the future. I can always practise letting go of control with other mediums (like watercolour, which gives me no choice anyway).
Judith xx
Monthly inspiration
No, the monthly inspiration is not me, it’s the camera I’m holding
If you follow me on Instagram, you might have noticed that I’ve started using a 35mm film camera. I am obsessed with it. There’s just something about the grain and the colours that can’t be matched by digital images, even when faked. If it wasn’t so expensive I’d take as many photos with my analogue camera as I take on my phone!
Photos taken on the grounds of Osterley House
It’s probably good that I can’t though. It makes me think twice before taking a photo, on top of having to spend time adjusting the camera. Sometimes a film roll comes back and I like 95% of the photos. Sometimes I forget to change a crucial setting and 4 out of 36 photos are ‘okay.’ 🥲
Bad photos for various reasons: too dark and dull (didn't set the camera to the right ISO); weird framing and frankly just not an interesting shot; wonky AND my camera strap makes an appearance at the top!
To come back to what I was saying above, the film camera is a great exercise in letting go of the outcome. Lines aren’t always straight. I’m still learning how to use the flash well. There’s an unexpected “artistic” blur here and there. I’ve even done a double exposure by accident. And I love it all. Even though I think I still take “better” photos on my phone, I prefer the quality of the film ones.
On the train to Brighton and Brighton beach
I also believe this strong pull towards analogue is my brain tapping into the collective unconsciousness. With the rise of AI and an overload of online content, more people have started to seek imperfect and offline experiences.
Some Christmas shots
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