Inspiration can strike in the most unexpected places, and for me, it came through a friend's and fellow therapists creativity. Seeing Jackie's (Morrow Endeavour) stunning collage featuring her and her daughter, both as children, sparked an idea. The way they shared this fantastical world, existing as equals, felt super interesting for me.
It made me wonder what it would be like to create a similar haven for myself, my daughters, and even my mum. So, I began digging out photos of all of us at the magical age of seven. There's a reason I chose this specific time: it's a period of boundless curiosity, joy, and a creative spirit that embraces the world with open arms. At seven, new friends and adventures are around every corner. You still believe in magic fairies and the Easter Bunny and you just know that "Good" always wins against "Evil".
My own daughters, currently eight and eleven, are navigating the complexities of siblinghood, and sometimes, the younger one feels a little left out. Inspired by Jackie's work and fuelled by a desire to bridge the gap, I started on this project that turned out to be much more than just a collage.
I made sure I matched the size of the images to create the impression that we are pretty much all the same height and cut out the body shapes. I crafted a fantastical forest bursting with vibrant flowers and a touch of whimsy. In this imaginary world, we're all seven years old again. There are no parents, no rules – just four free spirits ready for anything! Here, we're a super cool girl gang, creating a story that belongs only to us.
Looking at the collage evokes a sense of peace I wasn't expecting. In this magical space, there's no hierarchy, no pressure to be the "mum." or the "daughter". Instead, it's a chance to connect, be silly, and experience pure fun and imagination equally and together.
It's a beautiful reminder that even as adults, we can tap back into that playful, imaginative part of ourselves.
If you enjoyed this story and the artwork you might want to try it out yourself. I have created a free guide for you to try and create your own collage. This guide contains step-by-step instructions on how to create a collage like this one. If you feel inclined to share, I would love to see your work. You can connect with me on Instagram (@walk.with.lisa).
And of course you are invited to come along to The Circle for Mums if you are local and journal with other mums and myself.
Warmly,
Lisa
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