Inspirational Collages by Elyse Jokinen
My next interview is with collage artist Elyse Jokinen, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Elyse creates visually stunning collages inspired by her own experiences, memories, and travels. She channels feminine energy and the flora and fauna of the natural world to design a wide range of compositions, often paired with uplifting quotes and phrases, such as "You're Not Lost, You're Here." From delving into photography almost four years ago to creating powerful images from cut-outs, Elyse remains dedicated to exploring the world of collage and all that it has to offer.
Hi Elyse! Tell me about your background and where your creative journey began.
I come from a family of humble creatives and I've been multi-passionately artistic for as long as I can remember. I'm a documenter and collector by nature and I still remember the first collage I made on my black composition journal in grade school. My early days consisted of a lot of writing, collage, lettering and doodling. It wasn't until the past four years that I've really allowed myself to explore what it means to be an artist.
I grew up out in the country of northern Minnesota and was fortunate to travel a lot throughout my life. I feel like that creative spark began while on some of those early adventures.
How has your art practice shifted or evolved over the last few years?
The last few years have been pivotal in my art practice. Before then, I didn't have much direction and wasn't consistent -- we all know that's the key! My practice wasn't just in the backseat, it was in the trunk.
When I picked up a DSLR camera almost 4 years ago and began to study light, composition and story I could not have predicted the shift that would take place and lead me to this moment. Now, I create every single day and it's made all the difference.
Taking photographs opened the floodgate to the art world and it moved my art practice from the trunk to the driver's seat. I began reading poetry, writing, getting back into collage and taking all sorts of classes in the arts. The more I learn the more I realize how completely vast it is and I will never get tired of growing within the art space.
Your collages often include figurative elements with vibrant flowers and plants, along with motivational phrases. What impact do you hope to create with your work?
Yes, I love your recognition of that. Honestly, right now, it's all about being able to connect with others through my work. Connection -- it's why we're here, isn't it? When I create a collage, I lay out the weird and the wild from within my head, weaving in deeper meaning. Then I put it out into the world and someone sees it and they get it. Even better, they'll say, "Oh I feel that one". And just like that, in that moment, we're connected. We get each other. It's the craziest, coolest part of this all!
Also, I'm glad my work brings a positive message. Even when I'm not feeling particularly positive, I create looking up. It's so important for me to create that feeling, like attracts like. If you surround yourself in the good vibes, it's going to change how you feel.
Can you tell me about your process for creating a collage, and where you find inspiration?
Ah, yes! I mentioned earlier that I collect and document. I have a lot of notebooks (virgo problems!) and some ideas start there. For the most part though, I begin by sifting through envelopes of cut outs until something sparks. I'll spread it all out, turn on Bruce Springsteen and organize 7-12 collages at a time. Then they sit. Another night I glue, then I add paint, pencil or gold leaf. The next day I save maybe one or two and the rest get chopped up by my kiddos.
For digital it's just about the same. I have a large collection of images I sift through, something sparks and the story unfolds. I break up everything into different days. The finding of the image, the cutting of the image, the placing and arranging and then adding details. I'm always in the mood to do ONE of those things so it's nice to have options.
Inspiration is found in women, light, a life on the road, time, the beauty and fragility of each day, nature (mostly plants and flowers I mean, magic come on!) and always nostalgia. I've been drawing a lot of recent inspiration from vanitas still life paintings, too.
You create collages that are both digital as well as hand-cut. What are the strengths and challenges of both, and do you have a preference?
Hand cut collage is home. It's what I've been doing for almost two decades and there's nothing like turning on some good tunes and getting lost, literally for hours in a pile of books in my living room. The challenge of hand-cutting is the longer chunks of time needed to really get going as well as not always having the perfect image to fit my vision. Oh and there's no undo!
The awesome part is, the benefits of digital fill all the challenges of analog and vice versa.
Digital is amazing because I can work for 20 minutes here, 40 minutes there and really whatever your mind can think up you can find and create. I can cut really intricate pieces and use them over and over. The challenge for me would be that there's a lot of time spent in front of the screen which we all know we don't need more of.
With the advice from Austin Kleon I'm actually working on setting up another desk to mirror my current space for analog work specific. It's a great idea!
I honestly love being able to go between the two and a workspace to reflect that would be everything!
When did you join Instagram, and how has it impacted you as an artist?
I've been on IG since 2011 and I've always loved to share and collect my stories in one space. After having my two boys I made that account private to document everything about them. I launched my art account just last year and really dug in.
The impact has been huge. I feel inspired and challenged constantly. IG is filled to the brim with opportunities and I'm doing my best to take every single one I can get. I've sold work through IG and it's helped me grow my newsletter. The best part is meeting people, people like you Vi!
What are you working on at the moment?
Right now I'm in the beginning stages of a digital collection, WEBS, that will be inspired by Vanitas paintings. Stay tuned! I'm also always developing an ongoing body of analog work that incorporates found images, paint, pencils and gold leaf. I can't forget to mention that I'm in my third year of shooting a 365 photography project and it's an amazing practice! It helps me to look for beauty through light, composition, texture and story daily. Lastly, being connected to the art community has been essential and I'm committed to touching base with them weekly through a Creative Container newsletter I send out each Monday morning. In other words, all the things! Ha!
Where do you hope to see your work in 5 years?
In Create magazine! No but seriously, over the next 5 years, I will consistently develop my style creating a strong body of analog work. I want to go much deeper into the subjects I'm exploring, never being afraid to experiment.
My goals are always to continue to learn, give back when I can and connect and inspire others along the way. Collage is an art that is truly accessible to everyone and a great launching off point into the world of creativity, especially for people who might not think they're creative. It's my passion and I want to continue to shout it from the rooftops and share as much as I can with others. Thank you for allowing me the chance to do so!