NARRATIVE COLLAGES: Artistically Telling Stories
In addition to Dee’s abstract art, she creates her specialized Narrative Collages. These works tell visual stories of individuals, businesses, organizations and communities. They are bold, personalized forms of visual communication, identity and storytelling. These works of art are layered with realistic and symbolic imagery that is deeply meaningful to – and representational of – Dee’s clients. Please see the Selected Narrative Collages page for more examples.
Collaborative Design Process
Narrative Collages are effective at storytelling because of client involvement in their development. Dee works with individuals and groups by means of a collaborative, linear design process in which clients offer their history, their perspective, an array of imagery, and their continuous feedback. For example, an important step that Dee and her clients take at the beginning of a Narrative Collage project is creating a ‘Descriptive Word List.’ These descriptors help define the focus and goal(s) of each project — and are continually referred to as a project develops. Dee considers each client a co-artist of her Narrative Collages because of her client’s essential and valued input. Please visit the Design Process page to learn more about a+a Studio’s collaborative services.
The Narrative Collage above celebrates a couple’s 20 years of marriage. Working closely with a+a Studio clients, Dee incorporated some of their personal and symbolic imagery to help tell their story from the time they met to when they settled down as a family of four.
Narrative Collage Applications
Narrative Collages are digitally created, giving artist, Dee Etzwiler, control over her artwork’s imagery, dimensions, and color palette. Working digitally also gives her much latitude with respect to the application and use of a completed work of art. Narrative Collages can be enjoyed as art installations or produced as limited edition prints. They can also be offered to clients in a digital format. Please visit the Formats & Applications page for more information.
This 5’ x 12’ Narrative Collage was designed for Ninkasi Brewing Company, one of the country’s largest craft breweries. By incorporating maps, photographs, hand drawings, text and more into this artwork, Dee created a Narrative Collage that visually expresses the craft of brewing beer. This piece was printed on canvas and is installed in Ninkasi’s Headquarters.