Fun Process of Collage Making

By Shannon McDonald of McDonald Mixed Media

First step: Find some fun material

Materials: Paint, paintbrush, wood, adhesive (I am a fan of Mod Podge) and last but not least paper materials. Magazines are a great source.

I ask friends to donate them to me instead of recycling them.

I am always on the look out for some interesting paper.  I saved some stamps from a package my office received from Iceland!

Prep your wood. I purchase MDF board from Home Depot. They will cut it down for  you too! However, I have used found wood such a old kitchen cabinets or wooden shelves. Most crafts stores also have an unfinished wood section. I then prep the board with paint or gesso.

Let the fun begin! I have been using lots of cut outs of silhouettes lately. That is my starting point for this collage. 

Adding color is a must! 

Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty!

I will play around with the design before I permanently glue it. Maybe too many flowers?

Almost there! Just need to fill in some holes and glue it down. Once you are ready glue everything down. Apply a generous amount of Mod Podge to the paper and wood. I use a hard plastic card (similar to as gift card) to get rid of any air bubbles. 

After it dries you can seal it to protect it from fading. I use a clear coat that can be found at Home Depot. Make sure that you apply this is a well ventilated area.