I started making collages during my first year of teaching at Encina High School in Sacramento. I inherited a classroom that had been occupied by the same instructor for decaaaaadesss (it was a mess, ya’ll) and I was told that department budgets were dependent on extorting the funds from the students.
So while we waited for the students to pay their lab fee, it would be a while until we had money available for paint and charcoal and fancy paper. What was on hand was literally 500 tons of magazine debris, a gazillion partially used glue sticks, and scissors. Et viola! Papier collage.
I made the collage pictured here in 2004 and it was laminated in the school library, lol. The students and I had a good time with collage. And as it turns out, collage is a very useful (and inexpensive) starting point for teaching the elements of art and principles of design to beginning art students.
I am still fascinated by collage, and it has turned into my primary focus as of late.