Inspired:

Abstract Collage with

Vintage Magazines

You've started making collages. You know how to work with material, build a page, and find something in the layers.

Now you want to go further.

Inspired is where that happens. Over six lessons, you'll study four abstract artists closely — not to copy them, but to understand how they made decisions. Then you'll make your own work, using what you observed.

By the end, you won't just have a collection of pages. You'll have a process.

Composition for Beginning and Emerging Collage Artists

Inspired.
$90.00
One time

What you’ll learn

A colorful abstract art book cover and a vintage LIFE magazine with a stamp collage on a table.

You'll look at the work of Rex Ray, Piet Mondrian, Sonia Delaunay, and Kurt Schwitters — artists who thought carefully about composition, color, and form. For each one, we'll study two works together, and you'll create two collages in response.

Art supplies on a table including a box of floater frames, mixed media papers, a cutting mat with scissors, a paintbrush in a jar, a roller, and a utility knife.

Tips for collage techniques, supplies, and materials for working on paper and wooden panels

Abstract collage with overlapping paper pieces in red, beige, black, and white, featuring text and graphic elements.

The final chapter is yours. You take everything you've learned and make work that belongs only to you.

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair and glasses smiling while leaning against a wooden post, wearing a black sweater.

About this class:

I'm Sarah Z. Short, an abstract collage artist and printmaker based in Rhode Island. I created Inspired as an entry point for artists who want to work with collage but aren't sure where to start — no art degree, no expensive supplies, no prior experience required. I've been teaching collage composition online and in person for years, and this class distills what I've found to be the most effective way to build confidence: close looking, repetition, and working with materials you can find anywhere.

$90.00
One time
✓ $90.00 USD
✓ Over 4 hours of video content
✓ Lifetime access (or until I have to take it down)
✓ Private Facebook community
✓ Prerecorded and ready to watch now
Stack of vintage magazines including "Collier's," "Radio News," and "Life," dated June 6, 1931.

Student Reviews

  • Abstract collage with cut-out paper shapes in red, beige, and black.

    “This course is amazing. There is content here that is nowhere else and presented so clearly--I actually get it and am finding that I do have a voice." EG

  • Abstract collage art with red, black, and beige geometric shapes and text fragments.

    "...it is unlike any course I have taken online or in person. It is obvious you were very thoughtful when you outlined what you were going to do. " S.

  • Art book open to pages featuring works by Piet Mondrian, showing geometric compositions with various blocks of color including yellow, blue, red, and gray. One page is layered over another displaying an abstract composition with orange and beige tones.

    “Love the lessons! I am having so much fun with the first, I am not ready to go to the second. I love the layout of your course!" KE

Abstract collage with layered paper, partial text, and geometric shapes in red, green, black, and beige.

Class Features

  • Use the most basic supplies: magazine (doesn't have to be vintage), gluestick, scissors, paper to collage on

  • Six prerecorded lessons and two bonus lessons. You'll take a close look at four abstract artists and create work inspired by what you observe.

    Next step lesson where you take your knowledge of composition and make pieces that are uniquely yours.

  • Handouts with links and titles for advanced study of each artist.

Abstract geometric art with colored shapes

Why learn from me?

Student Testimonials

  • Your workshop was excellent in every way. Your preparation and teaching style were very effective and I gained much useful information. The knowledge you have acquired in such a short time is impressive and scholarly, you are clearly an experienced teacher.

    E.M.

  • My experience with collage was limited, and I strongly believe I walked away with so many ideas that I could put to use immediately in my practice. Your knowledge, guidance, and artistic ability helped build a solid foundation for my future work with collage.

    S.S.

  • Sarah has a special eye for composition, really appreciated her bringing in art books from the masters, and teaching us how to make stronger work. My only complaint is she will definitely be the artist I’m now obsessed with for a while —- will be thinking about and working with her lessons from the class for a long time!

    S.N.

Course FAQ

  • The class has been prerecorded and is hosted on my website. Once you purchase the class, the content below will unlock. Use the “Login” option on the top of the page to access the class.

  • You have lifetime access (or until I have to take it down)

  • A gluestick, scissors, watercolor/bristol/mixed media paper (your choice), and a magazine (it doesn't have to be vintage and I'll have suggestions on which ones to use).

  • Each of the main lessons are about an hour in length.

  • There is a private Facebook class so we can build a community for feedback, questions, and support.

  • I want you to be happy, so if you don't love the class, let me know within the first two weeks after you sign-up and I'll refund the full purchase price.

  • I have a limited number of discounted memberships and full scholarships available. Please send me an email for the details.

Once you purchase the class, the content below will unlock.

Anytime you wish to watch a lesson, use the “login” option at the top of the page

Inspired

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