14 Comments
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Elizabeth Grace Martinez's avatar

I think curiosity is my #1 trait I’m looking for in a friend

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Duane Toops's avatar

Absolutely! probably the #1 trait, full stop, no matter the category.

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Sonia Otero's avatar

Bravo! Curiosity is one of the qualities I most admire.

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Duane Toops's avatar

Same here! Thanks so much!

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James Hart's avatar

Really great work as always, Duane. If I may ask, do you have a vague idea of a project and then go looking for images that might fit that idea, or does it all start with scouring images, and ones that stick out start to take shape into a project?

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Duane Toops's avatar

Thanks so much! Great question! I think one of the reasons that collage works so well in giving me access to my creative voice is that I have an incredible lack of imagination. I almost never have any idea whatsoever for anything I make. And in many ways I appreciate that slight lack of agency. It becomes a kind of call and response, and most of my work is responding to what I find myself responding to.

The bulk of my creative process is finding, generating, and creating source material, but even then I don’t have a clue what I’m going to do with it or what I’ll use it for. I just try to find things and/or make things that I think will be interesting to use in assembling collages.

It’s only been recently, since I’ve started experimenting with printing out images I’ve generated with AI that I’ve had to think about ‘what I’m looking for’ or ‘what I want’ and that’s the part that’s been slightly difficult. I’m once again confronted with my immense lack of imaginative abilities. But, that’s also what’s made it an interesting process. Sorry for such a long answer. Hope that helps!

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James Hart's avatar

No, thanks so much for the description! For what it’s worth, I don’t think that’s in any way cheating. I think that’s how it works for everyone—some are probably just more explicit about their influences. Very cool you found a medium that fits your expression so well. I’d say it’s definitely working out!

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Duane Toops's avatar

Muh appreciated! Definitely grateful to have stumbled upon collage, but more importantly I'm so glad I let myself finally lean into it, that took awhile.

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Shital Morjaria (she/her)'s avatar

Lovely collages and words Duane

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Duane Toops's avatar

Thanks so much! I really appreciate it!

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Sue Clancy's avatar

Good work!!!! Keep going!!!!

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Duane Toops's avatar

Much appreciated!

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Ann Collins's avatar

💛Distinctly yours—nice work Duane!

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Duane Toops's avatar

much appreciated.

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