Collaborators
Briana Cotten (Massachusetts)
Tan-ja Graf (Switzerland)
Liz Weber (Kentucky)
Elaine Gehrmann (California)
Michelle Favreault (California)
Delivery Sequence
Briana sends to Tan-ja
Tan-ja sends to Liz
Liz sends to Elaine
Elaine sends to Michelle
Michelle sends to Briana
LETTERS AND FLATS ONLY
PROGRESS GALLERY
April 13, 2026—Michelle Favreault’s completed collage has arrived at headquarters.
Michelle Favreault, April 10, 2026
Thanks so much y’all – I had so much fun finalizing this piece though my photo doesn’t quite capture the full whimsy of cats in bikinis I appreciate all the layers and surprises along the way!
Project Coordinator, April 6, 2026—Briana Cotten’s completed collage has arrived at headquarters.
March 16, 2026—Liz Weber’s completed collage has arrived at headquarters.
March 13, 2026—Tan-ja Graf’s completed collage has arrived at headquarters.
Tan-ja Graf, March 6, 2026
Dear Group 31, Liz, Elaine, Michelle, Briana
When I got my collage back, completed and edited by all of you, I was very happy about it. I really liked it, even if it is logically very different from what I would have imagined and ever done. It’s an enrichment when others add something in their own way.
However, I was a little worried about the two images of two other people’s artworks in my collage.
Because it is important to me to protect the property rights of all artists. So I did some research to find the two artists and prayed for their permission to use their work in my collage.
Both artists gave their kind permission to use their images in my collage. They are two artists from Carmel California.
Susan Reith, Girl in a Red Kimono
Wilda Northrop, Koi #2
Wilda Northrop even said:
I love the idea of one of my koi taking a trip around the world.
Thank you, Wilda
I finished my collage and sent it to Berkeley yesterday. Now I’m a little sad because this is the end of a unique experience. But I hope to be back next summer.
I found it extremely exciting to “get to know” complete strangers through creativity alone, rather than through work or mutual acquaintances, for example. What was missing in these other, normal settings was something that is immediately added quite unconsciously, appearance, looks, age and other factors that generate sympathy or antipathy. We then immediately have an opinion and a feeling about a person and don’t even realize that these are primarily prejudices.
All of this was left unnoticed in our group in this project. That was very interesting. I thank you and of course Marty and his team very much for this valuable experience.
With my best wishes for you and your creativity
Tan-ja
February 23, 2026—Elaine Gehrmann’s completed collage has arrived at headquarters.
Elaine Gehrmann, February 19, 2026
I am very happy with my final collage– I started with the theme of time, and a lot of movement, direction and adventure was added– I appreciate everyone’s additions, and also had fun finishing it off with my own final embellishments– thanks all!!
Liz Weber, February 10, 2026
I got to complete my starter collage! I love how everything worked to evolve it. I decided it goes portrait direction after all, not landscape. I had a ton of fun adding lots of little bits to the negative spaces until it felt full. I had saved the same black and white strips for this stage, which I was glad about. (They’re from a zebra pic!) I also enjoyed adding to the themes of pinks and dashes. And I even found a few more spirals to add. The piece still feels calm to me, but also energetic.
Tan-ja Graf, January 21, 2026
This collage by Liz really captivated me. I paid particular attention to the colors, shapes, and composition and became completely immersed in it.
I noticed the cross composition, which I retained but toned down a little and added other elements with crosses. Then I wanted to give the initial spiral some “weight,” so I filled it with the blue tones in the image and then gave it a blue shell. Now this corner has gained visual “weight,” but the spiral has lost some of its momentum. It has retreated into a snail shell.
I think I just have to stop now, it’s not my collage. It belongs to Liz and I’m very curious to see how you react to it. What still needs to be added, changed or left as it is to make it your collage.
2 Pictures: one for and one after I‘m working on it.
Liz Collage geht Morgen zur post und danach werde ich das couvert mit meiner eigenen Startercollage das ich von Briana erhalten habe, öffnen.
Ich bin sehr erfreut und gespannt wie sie jetzt aussieht.
Danke schon im Voraus für all eure persönlichen Beiträge.
Dieses Projekt war für mich sehr lehrreich und spannend, ich habe es sehr genossen in dieser Gruppe an so vielen unterschiedlichen Collagen zu arbeiten zu dürfen. Es hat mir auf ganz neue und spannende Art gezeigt wie ich reagiere, und was mir wichtig ist. Es ist ein tolles Projekt und ich freue mich schon auf ein nächstes Mal.
Und falls eine von euch weiter mit mir in kreativer Verbindung bleiben möchte, melde dich einfach. Ich werde mich freuen.
Liz Weber, January 16, 2026
Before and after pics of Elaine’s starter collage. I added the map background towards the bottom and the compass up top. It was fun and challenging to trace and cut the map to shape!
Elaine Gehrmann, January 12, 2026
I loved adding to Michelle’s collage– I hope she still can make it even more her own, but I was very happy with adding the fish, the colorful swirl and the leaping cat with flower, in keeping with the “let’s go!” theme! It’s now sent off, back to Michelle for her completion!
Liz Weber, December 24, 2025
Adding to Michelle’s collage. I love the color scheme. I added several strips of striated colors. They’re from a photo of a rock showing eons of time.
Tan-ja Graf, December 23, 2025
Liz’s starter collage is already with me. I’ll take some time with it now. She wouldn’t have to be here until January.
I wish you all happy holidays and a good start into the new year.
Tan-ja Graf, December 22, 2025
Elaine’s starter collage, edited by Michelle, Briana, and me.
After thinking about this collage for a few days, I really enjoyed reflecting on what makes life worth living for me.
Then I edited the collage with that feeling in mind.
Elaine Gehrmann, December 17, 2025
I received Briana’s collage from Liz, and added a portal! Sending it off to Michelle!
Liz Weber, November 23, 2025
I received Briana’s starter collage from Tan-Ja and had a room of fun adding to it. It already had the small animals on the bottom as well as the bottom and left background colors. I added the right side background. I think it’s rock layers. I also added the bear on the left, the big cat kitten, and the butterfly.
Tan-ja Graf, November 17, 2025
I continued with Michelle’s collage. I picked up the strip structure and at the same time tried to soften it a bit.
Have to be careful not to do too much because I get into the flow. Do you feel the same way?
The collage is a bit difficult because of the brown cardboard. In part, the collage papers loosen a bit.
I will send the collage to Liz tomorrow.
Elaine Gehrmann, November 12, 2025
Tan-ja’s starter collage is on its way to Michelle. I really enjoyed adding to this– continuing some of the color themes and shapes.
Tan-ja Graf, November 12, 2025
Mail is here. Briana sent me 2 collages each of Elaine and Michelle. I will now first edit and forward Michelle’s…
Tan-ja, October 17, 2025
Briana’s Starter collage is on its way to Liz.
I have only inserted a large piece of collage paper. The many floating dots pour over the bright area with the many animals. And continue the round shapes of the flowers and balloons and the spots on the turtles skin. The dark background gives some depth.
I had a lot of fun with it. And I being excited what’s coming next.
Creative greetings
Tan-ja
Tan-ja, October 12, 2025
This is the starter collage I received from Briana. Briana writes about it:
For my collage I wanted to represent some of my friends, and I had a lot of fun putting this together.
I can’t wait to see the end result!
Liz Weber, October 7, 2025
I’ve added blues and greens to the piece Tan-Ja sent. I’ll get it in the mail later this week.
Elaine Gehrmann, October 6, 2025
I was excited to get Liz’s collage on September 29, and got going on it right away– her inviting black and white spiral to me called out for some bright colors emanating from it– and I was thrilled to find a living striped spiral to complement hers, in the opposite corner– and I have already sent it off to Michelle for the next stage!
Liz Weber, September 27, 2025
Here is my starter and a pic of what I started and what I received from Tan-Ja with our notes.
Tan-ja Graf, September 27, 2025
The Collage from Briana arrived.
But I don’t saw it, because I am on my way.
Michelle Favreault, September 24, 2025
Right after I worked up my background…in torn bits, I was adding curated images to the rich themes Elaine sent my way from the same bin of “recycle for collage” bin…. can’t wait to see what’s next.
Elaine Gehrmann, September 23, 2025
I began my collage on September 1, and the first several images that spoke to me involved the passage of time, which became my guiding theme. I was uncertain as to how complete or incomplete the first collage should be, and so after adding my first images I waited. I finally became convinced that what I had already done was the right amount and enough, and so I mailed it off to Michelle. I am excited to receive Liz’s collage, and look forward to seeing what we will all collaborate on together!
Tan-ja Graf, September 12, 2025
I began my starter collage with the deep red of the “Rivella” advertisement on a cutlery bag from a mountain restaurant. I like the deep red with the golden orange of the pet bottle. For me, the fact that Rivella is a typical Swiss drink fits in with this international project. Although I’m deliberately leaving out the logo.
For me, it’s about the interaction of colors in the pictorial space and about repetition.
I add old book pages and make sure that there is no particular reading direction and that there is enough space for my employees. It’s not that easy because I get into a flow. I work with overlaps and don’t glue down all the edges, so others can slide their pieces underneath if they want.
So, now I’ll stop and send my starter collage to Liz in Kentucky.
I’m excited to see how it will turn out and can’t wait to see what I get from Briana first.
Creative greetings and see you soon
Tan-ja