DIY Decor: Getting personal with dry paper collage

• By Betsy DiJulio

Betsy DiJulio Cute can become sophisticated in dry paper collage project.

Influences converged this week to inspire this month’s DIY Decor project. First, I saw on social media where an artist-friend, formerly based in Hampton Roads, had taught a dry paper collage workshop for teens in Suffolk. Then, when my October issue of a favorite home design magazine arrived, one of the illustrations appeared to be a reproduction of a paper collage. So, I went to my studio, opened my drawer of papers, and this is what quickly emerged.
I’m not a big fan of “cute” in my own home. So, to be honest, this framed collage, with its greeting card vibe, will be gifted to someone for a baby’s room or the like. But, with different objects from the house and plants, and with papers sporting different patterns and colors, cute could become symbolic and sophisticated.


Surprising combinations of papers are part of what make these collages appealing. Even lined notebook paper, newspaper, maps – does anyone still use those? – shopping bags, wrapping paper and the like will work nicely.
In fact, those kinds of materials, as opposed to commercial scrapbook papers like I used, can lend a more authentic, less prefab, look. However, if the papers contain lignin and acids, they won’t last forever. Try colors and patterns together that you think would never complement each other. A little opposition is good, but there does need to be some unifying component, usually a repeated color.
As for symbols, think personal identity. I actually do use house forms in my serious artwork; plants, too, for that matter, though they look quite different from these.
For your own version, think about what represents you, your family or the recipient of your collage: figures, animals, professions, foods, furniture, clothing, pastimes (sailboats, musical instruments, etc.), favorite places, world travel, everyday objects, and so forth.


If drawing is not your strong suit, print out pictures or clip art of the objects, cut them out, lay them on top of your patterned papers, trace around them, cut them out, and then glue-stick into place. Create a scene or simply over- and underlap them in a pleasing arrangement. Vary sizes to create interest. Add accents with black Sharpies (my favorite art medium) or gel pens. Or not.

Be sure to work in a size that will fit in a standard frame unless you are prepared to pay quite a few bucks for a custom job. In fact, it is probably wise to purchase the frame first. A frame with a mat lends a more polished look. Be sure your artwork is about a half-inch larger than the mat or frame opening for a ¼-inch overlap on all sides.
Make one, or make one for every member of your household.