Fish Collages: Art, Island Life, and the Joy of Creating

On our Island, fish are both mystery and memory—elusive creatures that ripple through our history and imagination. Inspired by old family photos and the enduring culture of fishing, I began a collage series that brings together scraps of paper and pieces of the past.

One of the online classes I enjoyed most was The Joy of Collage, which encouraged students to create images using paper scraps and old photographs. While browsing through my family's photo albums, I noticed some of the happiest expressions came from people proudly holding up their freshly caught fish.

My dad (left), My grandparents, Ted and Sigrid Gudmundsen with the trout caught lake trolling (center), My mom (right)

Growing up on the Island, several families around us were commercial fishermen. My own family, though, fished for the fun of it. These memories—and the photos that captured them—inspired a small series I call my Fish Collages.

Tales from the Water

Fishing has long been part of the Island’s lore, and early accounts captured both the triumphs and the hardships. Jessie Miner recorded stories passed down through generations.

“In the winter of 1868 and ’69, Godfrey Nelson caught 100 trout on Monday and 120 on Tuesday. He made $150 in three weeks but had to salt them—and cleared barely two cents a pound.”

“In the fall of 1870, King and Larson overloaded their boat. A sudden squall struck, and they had to throw overboard their nets and fish. Larson said, ‘Hera Gud, there goes my brand-new nets, fish and all. Too bad!’”

“In April 1849, H.D. Miner and two hired men caught a boatload of trout in three hours—too late in the day to return for more. They left hungry trout waiting to bite. Was that not hard luck?”

These kinds of stories, full of resilience and local color, helped shape the inspiration behind my artwork.

Collage as Process and Play

Collage is a simple yet expressive art form. The word comes from the French coller, meaning “to glue” or “to stick together.” For me, collage offers a playful way to explore design, stretch the imagination, and tell stories with texture and shape. Even the simplest forms can take on new meaning when rearranged.

Learning and Inspiration

A wonderful resource for me has been the online classes offered by Carla and Steve Sonheim. The Joy of Collage by Lynn Whipple was one of my favorites. Carla’s classes, in particular, are full of playfulness and whimsy—reminding me that creativity can be lighthearted, humorous, and deeply fulfilling. I still consider myself a student of creativity, and these courses continue to spark new ideas.

Healing Through Art

What I love most about collage is that it's accessible. Unlike more intimidating forms of art, collage invites you in. In art therapy sessions, for example, stacks of magazines are provided so people can select images, colors, and symbols to express their feelings—no experience needed.

This process became deeply personal for me while recovering from a leg injury. During that time, I was mostly immobile, but collage offered a creative outlet that was both gentle and meaningful. Using the cut-and-paste technique, I created images inspired by the Parables—finding quiet comfort and purpose in each composition.