crafted intentions: still life collage
the story of how my collage kits came to be
Back in December, I planned a holiday market with two of my dearest friends, Melissa and Nina. Many holiday markets I have worked have felt a bit detached as people look around for various trinkets and gifts to check off their shopping list. Frustrated by this reality, the three of us were inspired to create an alternative type of market with an emphasis on making in community and collaborating with small artists to create heartfelt gifts, rather than simply buying them. With this intention, every artist at our market was tasked to create an interactive station to support folks through making something special.
I began by thinking about my creative practice; small-scale still life paintings with a playful take on color and proportion that bring joy to the everyday objects that surround me. I wanted to translate this practice into an accessible activity for anyone to enjoy, regardless of their level of painting experience. Thus, my concept for the collage a still life kits was born. I digitally illustrated many background options and objects, taking direct inspiration from the style and subjects of my still life paintings. After this, I sourced mats, packaging materials, and printed my prototypes for the market.
Seeing the collage kits brought to life at our holiday market was a magical experience. People from a diverse range of ages and levels of artistic experience sat with me and created unique, highly individual works of art. Some people were hesitant to try it, claiming they weren’t creative enough (which is inherently untrue). Once they got started, however, they didn’t need any help or guidance from me, and ended with a ready-to-frame piece of art. While they worked, I got to know them a bit; asking questions about their interests, sharing stories, and finding common ground. It was extremely heartwarming to feel each person’s excitement as I witnessed my art transform into their vision, highlighting the countless possibilities that can unfold with the same 40 images on the same 4 backgrounds. A beautiful collaboration with unlimited potential.
After the market, I was approached by the owner of Lucille’s, a non-alcoholic bottle shop based in St. Paul, Minnesota, who asked me if I would lead a paint and sip workshop, something that had been highly requested. Now, I haven’t had the pleasure of going to a paint and sip class before (I have a fairly unlimited access to painting and sipping if I so choose), but I am pretty sure what makes a traditional paint and sip class fun is laughing at yourself with your friends as you sloppily paint while being a bit tipsy. Considering that this would be a sober event (and that I am a sober person), I suggested we use my collage kits so that everyone could relax and have fun, knowing they would end up with something they genuinely like.
At the workshop, I shared a bit about the principles of design, with an invitation to use them as a jumping off point to create a certain feeling or visual effect. Again, the magic of the collage kits and creating in community was abundant. There was laughter, excitement, support between strangers, and a lot of paper scraps on the floor. At the end of the workshop, everyone went around to introduce their finished masterpiece in the sweetest show and tell. Alex, the owner of Lucille’s, summed the evening up perfectly in her newsletter:
“You know what really touched my heart this month? Watching everyone at our Crafted Intentions workshop with Leni. There was something beautiful about seeing each person take the same materials and create something completely unique- just like all of us in this community. It reminded me that we’re not meant to fit into boxes; we’re meant to shine in our own way.”
-Alex Zauner, owner of Lucille’s Bottleshop
After the Crafted Intentions workshop, I knew it was time to release these kits into the world. I found a local print shop, went through multiple rounds of testing for quality and paper choice, designed the packaging, and placed my first order. I am excited to announce they are out now and available on my website!
The intention of these collage kits is to encourage everyone to tap into the well of creativity that dwells within. To produce a playful, intuitive craft that instills joy and a state of creative flow. As wise artist Brit Chida says, “play is the opposite of survival mode”. These ready-to-make kits are perfect for a night with friends, a solo creative practice, date night, gift giving, and more. Anyone can practice the art of the still life through collage, encouraging play while producing something unique and worthwhile.
While these collage kits stemmed from my personal creative practice, once it is in your hands, the art you make is yours. I can’t wait to see what you create.
To your craft,
xx leni
praise for collage a still life kits
“As a collager, I love Leni’s collage kits because they’re a curated package that provides you with options for creative exploration. It’s fun to interact and manipulate her art to create a design of your own. No matter what direction you take with the kit, your end product will be lovely because of her amazing illustrations. Working with Leni in person during a collage workshop was so fun because I got to collaborate with her and ask her thoughts throughout the process. The mat takes the collage kit to the next level. Your final result is a stunning piece of art ready to be framed!
-Carlie
“I had so much fun piecing together my collage! Collaging can be overwhelming but using Leni’s beautiful art gave me a perfect jumping-off point to create my own.”
-Hannah
“obsessed is an understatement - this collage kit has everything you could dream of to make a unique + meaningful piece of art! can’t wait to make another.”
-Lainy
“I just absolutely adored this collage set! the colors! the carefully curated backgrounds! sooo many cute objects to choose from!! everything was intentionally thought out by leni, providing the perfect opportunity to inspire creativity. I was able to make 3 precious collages from the kit!! highly highly recommend for a sweet night of creating❣️”
-Ang
Thank you to all who have gotten a collage kit or support my creative practice in any way (including reading this article!). I see you, and I appreciate you. If you liked this post, please consider subscribing or buying me a decaf latte- it means a lot to receive your support <3
If you are curious about my other work, you can view my website here, and find me on IG here.
Read past substack articles, like “gifts of rituals”, “everything i made last year, ranked”, a letter about love and “venus wants you to make art (and so do i)”.