PHYSICALLY DISTANT SOCIALLY CLOSER
Collage Therapy: My Pandemic Hobby
Like most people, I needed a little creative escape during the pandemic. Between revamping the site and diving into inspiring interviews, I finally made time for a hobby I’ve always loved: collages.
Over the last couple of months, I created a small series—five pieces made with a mix of photography, old letters, newspapers, magazine cutouts, fashion catalogs, glue (lots of it), and even varnish. Some people relax with puzzles… I unwind by cutting, pasting, and layering.
I ran out of supplies after a month (apparently I tore through 200 recycled magazines!), and with art stores closed, I had to hit pause. But when they reopened—back to the scissors I went.
I posted a few on Instagram and was blown away by the response. These collages take hours to make, but they kept me grounded, focused, and sane during a time when everything felt so uncertain.
My inspiration? A mix of art history, photography, and fashion.
And ever since I was a kid, I’ve been obsessed with vinyl album covers—especially the intricate ones like Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band or any by the Rolling Stones. I love discovering the tiny details hidden in the artwork.
In the interviews I’ve been doing, I always ask creatives how they’re coping with this strange time. And honestly, most of them say the same thing: this reset was overdue. We've all been overstimulated for too long. Now, many of us are starting to reconnect—with ourselves, our creativity, and even the planet.
Personally, I’ve also reconnected with people. I’ve never been a fan of phone calls, but recently I rang up an old friend for his birthday and we ended up talking for an hour. It hit me—we might be physically distant, but we’re socially closer than ever.
And I kind of love that.
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