Hello! I’m Wendy Solganik, aka @willa.wanders on Instagram. If this is your first time here on my blog, welcome! I’m pretty excited that you found me and my little corner of the art world.

I’ve done a bazillion kinds of art in my life, and the thing that intrigues me the most today is Mixed Media Collage Art.

I’m such a passionate student of this form of art and I’m obsessed with making and using collage fodder (what the heck is collage fodder?).

I really want to learn everything I can about it. I created an entire online art school called Fodder School where anyone with an interest in Mixed Media Art collage art, handmade books and journaling can come and learn this craft from a variety of incredible instructors, even if you have never made any mixed media art before! At this point, Fodder School is about to enter its fourth year with no intention of slowing down.

If you are looking for a great place to start your mixed media art journey from scratch, can I recommend this $19 course?

In this blog series, I’m going to be introducing you to the instructors that will be joining us in Fodder School as Fodder School 4 instructors. If you want to know all about what Fodder School is, go here.

Wendy Shragg is a contemporary mixed-media artist, designer, instructor, and the illustrator of a multi-award-winning family book, “Be Nice. The End. Simple Wisdom of the Playground Kids”. Her work blends painting, collage, photography, and digital art to create multi-layered compositions that explore the dynamic interplay of color, form, and texture.

Wendy discovered gel plate printing over seven years ago and quickly fell in love with the process. She frequently incorporates gel-printed papers into her work, embracing the unpredictability and depth they bring to her compositions. Inspiration comes from everyday life—capturing intriguing lines, shapes, and the negative spaces they create.

Experimentation and discovery fuel's Wendy's creative process, and she hopes her art invites viewers to pause and uncover delightful surprises within the layers. With a career shaped by diverse creative paths, Wendy sees each experience as a stepping stone in her artistic journey. At her core, she believes in the power of creativity to forge connections and build community.

For Wendy's Fodder Challenge 2025 project, we're trying something a little different with her lesson. Instead of a concrete, step-by-step project, Wendy is sharing her Top 10 Tips for Successful Gel Plate Printing. Gelli printing is always so fun, and something we frequently return to in Fodder School (multiple Fodder Challenge 2025 lessons involve gelli printing!). So whether you've never gelli printed before or you're a seasoned gelli plate artist, Wendy's tips are sure to get you set up for success!

Wendy enjoys sharing the creative process and is guided by a spirit of curiosity and delight. “I will never be too old to play, to learn, and to explore. I dream, I create, and I hope to inspire.” In Fodder School 5, we're breaking the mold yet again. Wendy's project will span over two months—believe me, you'll need the time! This project is all about taking a walk down memory lane to create something special and specific to YOU.

The first half of her lessons involves creating and curating fodder that is unique to you. Wendy centered her project around her childhood memories, but the possibilities are endless: you could make your project about your family, a special event, or you could curate a completely new theme that feels right to you! Later, Wendy will share her compositional prowess and show you many ways you can arrange and layer these disparate pieces to create a truly one-of-a-kind artwork.

If you think that you aren't capable of creating incredible mixed media art like what you see here, you haven't been to Fodder School yet! We make it accessible. We make it effortless. We make it incredibly FUN!

check out fodder school 5