This collage, inspired by the “cut-out” work of Henri Matisse, is easy to do but can look remarkable by following my simple steps.  There is some cutting prep work and I have given you two free printable templates to make it easier (FOR TEMPLATES, SEE BELOW: “STEP 1”).  Of course, it is wonderful if the person doing it can cut out their own original shapes but I have found, with most of my Alzheimer’s Artists, that it is one too many steps and… many can not use scissors without being frustrated or creating a safety issue. They really enjoy choosing their colorful shapes and moving them around on the page.

You will need the following supplies: 
watercolor paper (11x17″)
various colors of cardstock(8 1/2 x 11″
tissue paper (optional)
glue (Elmer’s type, water based)
scissors
sponge brush
(NOTE: Free Templates for Shapes/ Click Below/ See “Step 1”)

……This is another very inexpensive project!  Here are a few samples of what people in various later stages of Alzheimer’s did. (Some needed assistance with applying the glue…Supervise closely when using glue to ensure safety.)

Matisse Sample 1     Matisse Sample 2     Matisse Sample 3

 

STEP BY STEP DIRECTIONS:

(Easy "Matisse Cutouts Collage"...Fun activity to do with someone who has Alzheimer's!)

Easy Matisse Collage…Fun activity to do with someone who has Alzheimer’s!)

1. Prep work:  Cut out shapes from templates, and various sizes of rectangles out of card stock. (Some of my rectangles were tissue paper but I found that it was difficult for many people to glue them on even though it adds another dimensional layer.)

Here are the links to click on for the templates needed for this project: Template 1, Template 2.
Use Templates and Xerox collage shapes onto various colors of cardstock.

2.  Pick out about 8 rectangles of different colors and glue onto watercolor paper overlapping them and leaving a white border around the page. (NOTE: Do not bring out the shapes yet so that the rectangles go down to create a background FIRST.) Turn over  paper and smooth.

3.  NOW, choose  shapes and arrange on the paper over the rectangles which were already applied.  Once you are pleased with the layout, glue them down.  Turn over  paper and smooth.

4.  Finally, sign your name!  (This is important for every artist, especially those with Alzheimer’s or other cognitive decline.  If the artist can no longer sign his name, sign it for him….Many can read their name without being able to write it, and it’s rewarding to be able to see artwork on the wall and recognize…sometimes over and over again…that they have created something beautiful.))