Masterly collage

My friends know full well that I am an obsessive paper collector and hoarder. One of my favourite things are books of maps, old linen maps.... anything to do with maps. No surprise then that I should buy this fabulous book about the collage work of Peter Clark. If his work is new to you go and look at more here. You will be entranced and amazed at what he can do with the paper other people have discarded.

Peter combs flea markets and boot sales on a regular basis looking for anything he can use from maps to beermats, old sheet music, record sleeves, sales ledgers, sales invoices, old cigarette cards.... you name it and he'll find a use for it creating these wonderful images.

Dogs have become a speciality and he now does them to commission, recreating people's pets in paper ephemera. He doesn't stop there though. There are other animals and clothing too - lots of suits, shoes and dresses - all conjured out of maps and the like and layered in his signature style.

If you've got a hoard of paper like me take a look at more photos on his website. It looks very straightforward but it is anything but and whilst I would love to be able to produce something like this , the phrase 'in your dreams' is echoing around my head. Still, I would get huge pleasure from the initial searching and shopping experience to start me off. If I could add anything like these gorgeous things to my hoard I'd be very happy indeed.