Collages take the cake. It requires focusing like a child with a jeweler’s loupe, so one's vision begins to discover things otherwise missed. Weird perceptions may begin to peek through the surface of conventional order, the fractals of the nature echoing herself. Some things grab us, they find the person who keeps his/her eyes open. A “found object,” even a scrap of newspaper, can seize power and attention. When odds-and-ends come together just right, it can reveal a world's psyche.

Combining found objects and drawn colors in striking and meaningful compositions is a liberating creative process. I’ve always liked finding things. I found arrowheads as a child in Illinois, and found colorful scraps and labels in the streets of New York City and in India. I’ve found books and great souvenirs from the past in junk shops. I like to find striking images and still-useful ideas, and as a writer I prize colorful phrases found in everyday talk, always on the alert for a fresh find.

I would spend it on framing selected collages and preparing an exhibit of my art and a few found-objects sculptures. I would also purchase video-making equipment, to make a video about collages, putting a spotlight on the varied works of great collage-makers. I would also travel to see the art of found-objects art in various countries, including Africa and India. I would meet with collage artists and interview them about their process and experiences of sharing their creative works with others.