
There are already 24 separate elements on this page. This equates to at least 24 decisions that have been made about this page, and it's still in the very early stages of composition.
In truth, the number of decisions is already into the hundreds. Perhaps even thousands.
Consider the sets of conversations like this: "Not this, not that, no, no, no, what about part of that?, no, no, no (X 100), maybe, no, not that one after all, OK this one, but only part of it, a little off the top, no leave the top, some from each side, clip the bottom here, no, leave a little more and clip it there...put it here, no over there, no back to where it was..." And all that just to decide one image.
Each element auditioned for its fitness to the whole, the role it might play, where, how often (will I repeat it?)... Each element reconsidered with each addition of another, and so on, and so on.
Does this take long? Sometimes. Sometimes not so long. But the process is the same.
Each element brings its own set of questions to the table and with each question, a problem, or at the very least, a puzzle to be solved.
Heavily compositional artwork like collage can be therapeutic for those who have trouble making decisions in other areas. Instead of continuing its habit of avoidance, the brain is retrained to make lots of decisions and to enjoy the process instead of fearing it. The brain doesn't weigh the value of each decision, it just records the number it makes and any accompanying emotions. As a result, each thoughtful decision made under pleasant or neutral, and/or rewarding circumstances facilitates future decision making.
I've always enjoyed the challenge of puzzles and conundrums. Perhaps that is why I am so naturally drawn to compositional collage, and drawing, and painting, and, and, and... But for those who find decision making a problem, collage can be therapeutic as well as fun.