38 Comments
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Dr. Jane R. Shore's avatar

These are so strong and storied… I feel like there is a deeper message about capitalism and reuse here in the layers. LOVE. So inspired.

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Jenna Park's avatar

Thank you Jane! And yes, there is a message here about capitalism and reuse. That was the premise of my friend's collage work.

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Tanya Quick's avatar

I love that you’ve added in-person making back to your life! Once again, you’re inspiring me to rethink what’s possible…

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Jenna Park's avatar

Tanya, as we discussed just a few days earlier, things are easier when you have a studio...

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dayside's avatar

So many takeaways from this thoughtful piece! Thank you

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Jenna Park's avatar

☺️ thank you.

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Jonathan Kissam's avatar

That sounds like a fantastic practice, especially to do with a friend! I love the process of letting the shortcomings of the material shape the outcome.

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Jenna Park's avatar

Accountability helps, and it's mutual. Otherwise it's easy to let life get in the way.

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Jaime Derringer's avatar

Obvs you already know that I love the junk stuff so much!

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Jenna Park's avatar

I do!

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Claire's avatar

This is so relatable. Also struggling with my "collections" of various mediums that are one cleaning frenzy away from the trash can. Thank you for sharing this piece.

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Jenna Park's avatar

Thank you, Claire!

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Evelina's avatar

Beautiful writing.

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Jenna Park's avatar

Thank you 🙏

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Jill Harrison's avatar

I love everything about this! Coming to grips with my own (renewed) need for structure and discipline as a frame, post-corporate life. Inspired, as always, by your practice!

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Jenna Park's avatar

Hi Jil!! 👋 First, thank you SO MUCH for the paid subscription 🥹. Second, it's so nice to hear from you. I would love to hear about your post-corporate plans :)

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Kris Jackson's avatar

Leaving perfectionism behind is SUCH a process. Why can’t I just be automatically good at something???

I went to a cyanotype workshop two weekends ago and it was so cool to work with other people and see their creative process. And I did make some things I want to frame!

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Jenna Park's avatar

ooh, I was looking at a cyanotype class, but it was fully booked. I only have limited experience, but would love to do some more.

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Kris Jackson's avatar

It’s so easy! Check out my post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DLLjc5gxjPN/?igsh=MThsM2JtZDBkNGZxYw==

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Kris Jackson's avatar

Stevie also has a link for supplies on her website - iamstevieoliver.com

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Jenna Park's avatar

Thank you!

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Yen Ha's avatar

Jenna you so perfectly captured all our thoughts and meanders around this collage project! Looking forward to more accountability and letting go of perfection, and ugly collage days. :)

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Jenna Park's avatar

🙌❤️

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Bree Stilwell's avatar

I’ve been thinking a lot about scaffolding lately, about what structure can offer when thoughtfully built… too much and the thrill is gone, the muse is shut out… but just enough, thru that reasonable repetition and loving accountability, makes for a safer freedom. Even free divers use a rope, right? I love this, Jenna!!

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Jenna Park's avatar

You're right, it's a balance. Not too stifling, but with just enough framework to not get too lost in the abyss!

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JOHN ONEIL's avatar

I really like this, it’s inspiring and beautiful. And ugly too, just like you said. Applying yourself to something you are not entirely comfortable with is a real pathway to growth.

This work reminds me of my friend Mustard, maybe I will get together with him and do this.

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Jenna Park's avatar

I love that you have a friend named Mustard?? And yes, discomfort is where we grow.

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Yuezhong's avatar

I love the idea of a regular collage-friendship-date. It's so analog and so anti-digital. I want to replicate it somehow with a friend or a group of friends!

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Jenna Park's avatar

You should! Apparently, according to my feeds, collaging is very popular right now.

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Rachel Ooi's avatar

I love the idea of meeting a friend week after week for the sole purpose of creating a certain art. You have articulated the many layers of that process here. Now, I am inspired to sit down and make collages with my children finally—they make it so easy because it is always just about having fun for them.

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Jenna Park's avatar

That sounds nice to collage with your kids. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could regain some of that fearlessness and sense of play again?

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Rachel Ooi's avatar

Yes, we can learn a lot from the children.

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CJ Infantino's avatar

I’m so glad you embraced the medium! Even in my perfectionist tendencies, I found myself finally free in collages. I was able to do whatever things came onto the page and let my intuition run the whole show.

Now, the glue is another story. I feel you on that. I would get frustrated that it didn’t go together the way I planned it.

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Jenna Park's avatar

wow, a reply more than a week later. Sorry to miss this comment. I've been taking photos of the paper arrangements so that I can reference it while gluing and 8 out of 10 times, I like it soooo much better before I glued everything down. But as I've mentioned, it's a definitely a lesson in letting go of the frustration when it doesn't go as planned, which for someone like me, is truly a win when I can just say.. oh well, whatever! I'm learning, I tell ya. I'm really learning!

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CJ Infantino's avatar

Yeah, I do the same. A photograph and then glue it down and get annoyed it isn't the same. 🤦🏼 The learning never stops.

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B.A. Lampman's avatar

I love this so much! I've been making collages for years, and recently started giving monthly collage workshops. It's been super fascinating to see the various ways people approach it, and how meditative it is for pretty much everyone.

Have you tried Yasutomo Nori paste or Yamato Nori rice sticking paste? These two glues are both good for thin or delicate papers and won't cause them to wrinkle, plus they give a little wiggle room with regards to placement. I apply it with a brush. I also keep a damp, wrung-out cloth nearby to keep my hands clean and to wipe excess glue off the artwork. This was taught to me years ago, and I mention it because so many people get into a big mess with the glue.

Thanks for a great piece ❤️‍🔥

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Jenna Park's avatar

Hi! My friend and I were curious as to how others approach collage. We’ve tried two different glues but I did buy a small sample jar of Nori paste (mostly because it’s the name of my cat lol) and I might use it for other collage work I have in mind on my own. Years ago I used to use Yes glue which I thought was discontinued but I saw it in the store. It’s pricey though!

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B.A. Lampman's avatar

Yes Paste is the gold standard! Permanent, doesn't yellow, won't wrinkle the paper, and washes up with water. I used Yes Paste for many years but it has doubled in price, and it wasn't cheap to begin with. I made a "collage class" download back in 2021 that I sell off my website--in it I use Yes Paste, but I've since added a disclaimer to the description suggesting Nori Paste instead because the cost of Yes Paste is so prohibitive.

I definitely developed certain habits over the years when it comes to how I make a collage, so witnessing the various ways people approach it in the workshops I've been giving is eye-opening. Not only in what they produce--thought that's what's been a revelation for me--but also what they feel about it going in, and how they feel about what they've produced. I wouldn't have predicted it, but most people seem pretty happy with what they make!

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