Technically, David Schuster and his wife, Micki, were our students. That means Elena and me, but to call them our students feels a bit ridiculous. Watch this film, and you will know why, but TECHNICALLY it’s true, so we will take all credit for his incredible work. This film, created by David and me, started with a very innocent question while sitting in Shizuoka, Japan. We were midway through our 2026 workshop, and David asked, “Hey, do you mind if I show the class some of my collage work?” We said, “Go for it.” Within sixty seconds of the first image hitting the screen, I found myself looking at the other students, and they were looking back at me. Looks of astonishment. It was some of the best collage work any of us had seen.
Our students aren’t normal people.
One of the other students was a forty-year photobook publisher, and she looked at me and said, “This is a book.” Someone else said, “My gallery will love this.” And what David showing this work did was inspire the other students to share what else they were working on. We saw other artworks, books in the process of being published, and a documentary feature film about music in Cuba. It is impossible to be around people like this without being lit on fire. If you are curious, driven, and creative, being around these people is like a shot of adrenaline. This is why we teach.
After returning from Japan, I asked David if I could come and make a film. Thankfully, he said, “Let’s do it.” I’m selfish. Making the film would be fun, but it would also give me a chance to visit their studio, which I will secretly live in one day without them knowing. That’s the plan anyway, but don’t tell anyone. I’d visited the studio before, but once is not enough. It’s a beehive of pure artist expression. Glass, textiles, works on paper, print-on-demand books, handmade books- you name it, they do it.
As you will see. I made this film for Blurb. I have a Dan version somewhere, which uses different music and a different typeface, and mine is a bit longer, but when creating for a brand, there is always a healthy back and forth. Plus, Blurb’s video editor and designer, Dakota, is way better at this stuff, so his final product is superior to mine.
PS: See if you can find the collages created with Fujifilm Instax.
Comments 12
I like seeing these type of videos it refreshes my heart. Keep them coming
Author
Yes, real artists at work. Nothing better.
Beautiful work, love seeing the process. And I haven’t seen a tacking iron in decades! Interesting that it can be used in conjunction with acrylic gloss medium. All in all, a wonderfully inspiring video.
Author
When you come out, we are going over to see them!
Danielsan, What a fantastic creative mind…19-20 sec.?
Author
Agree! 19-20 sec? My attention span?
I watched this a few days ago and didn’t even realise he was there in Kyoto last spring. Things like this make you realise how one-dimensional photography can be sometimes.
Very inspirational.
Author
That’s so funny. One of the things that David said that I totally agree with, based on watching him in the field, is that once you turn 75, you become invisible.
I’ve watched it twice now. The joy of making, and not trying to control the outcome, but finding happy accidents along the way. He’s a great teacher, and it was nice of him to share his methods.
Author
He just sent me another sample, a different approache to collage, and they are equally impressive.
Finally got a glimpse of this workshop I’ve heard so much about. Fantastic artist.
Author
It was a good one. And a fun one, and the next one looks good too.