By Becky Claypool
Nov 21, 2023
If you stop by the Kittanning Public Library, Jesica Montgomery of Worthington, has her collages on display.
Montgomery started making collages in 1999, not far from this library at her house on Maple Street.
She made many, many collages for her friends out of magazines.
A few years later, she began making lyric collages to songs that she liked.
Jesica actually quit collaging in 2011 after having her first child, Ava.
She got rid of years worth of magazines and clippings, as she felt she wouldn’t have time for it anymore.
Later that year, Jesica began photography.
She wanted to be able to document Ava’s life.
Jesica started her business Forever Whimsy Photography in 2015.
It wasn’t until after she had her second child, Allie, that she decided to pick up collaging again in 2017.
She tried a different way of making collages with squares punched out of different letters to spell things out.
In 2022, Jesica was accepted into Click Pro Elite-one of only 23 photographers in the state of Pennsylvania.
In 2023, Jesica really embraced collaging, having discovered a new way to collage with colorful backgrounds and inspirational messages.
Her work can be viewed online at:
{FWP} Forever Whimsy Photography on Facebook’
As for where Jesica finds her inspiration?
“I don’t really find inspiration, it finds me. I feel the more that I push myself to try to do something, the harder it is to do it. Basically, it just has to come to me as it’s ready to.”
When Jesica creates her collages, she likes to pick out a word that is interesting to where she can put a positive spin on it.
She will continue to search for other words that go along with it.
She may not specifically make up a quote.
Jesica may find words and put a quote together.
Sometimes, she has an idea and she’ll write it down, but changes the word multiple times.
She tries to find inspirational words, words that people need to hear because people don’t tell us these things a lot of the time.
Just this year, Jesica found a network of artists that support her.
“It’s very nice to have people that you can talk to, that understand the struggle of being an artist. It’s not an easy thing to be and they support me by helping me find opportunities.”
Jesica remembered when she first started collaging.
She didn’t even know what collaging was.
She didn’t have any idea of what she was doing.
She decided to cut stuff out and put it together.
She was overcoming creative blocks.
When asked what the best piece of advice was that she’s received as an artist?
“This sounds conceited, but it was my own advice. A couple of years ago, I decided I wanted to let go of my self-doubt and let go of what held me back as an artist, and truthfully, I can see a difference in my work from 2021 till now. I mean photography wise, but also collage wise,” Jesica said. “I was not making this many collages two years ago. I actually wasn’t even making this many collages earlier this year. This was only when I first started really focusing more on it.”
Jesica wants others to take her own advice to “just let go.”
She is more confident in her abilities.
“Others have to be willing to let go because it does reflect on your work,” she said.
As for one particular piece that she holds closer to her heart?
“Yes I do! I did lyric collages at the time. In 2010 when my significant other and I got back together, I did a collage of the whole song ‘Everlong’ by The Foo Fighters. It is up in our room. It took a really, really long time. That’s another reason why I kind of got away from lyric collages, because they were so specific. You had to have these specific words. Especially, if you’re doing full songs it could take me literally months to finish these because you just couldn’t make a word appear. You had to look for them. That is my favorite one!”
Jesica is excited to have her collages displayed at the Kittanning Library where you can find the prices also for her collages.
“They are for sale!!”
Furthermore, she is excited to have her Collage Workshops at the Worthington-West Franklin Public Library.
The next one is from 12:30-2 p.m. Dec. 4, and Dec. 18.
It is free, and attendees are encouraged to just bring a pair of scissors.
Jesica offers magazines, glue and paper.'
“Certainly, if you want to bring additional items you can, but not required,” she said.
Jesica is also looking into having workshops in downtown Kittanning at the beginning of 2024.
Those interested could also stop by Sassy Soul Boutique and MK Bridal & Special Occasions to see Jesica’s custom-made collages for the two businesses.
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