Layered Collage

I seem to have developed a technique I call layered collage,  I start with canvas, underpaint it, then alternate layers of tissue, collage paper, and watercolor.  The resulting surface is very thick and strong enough to support heavy applied elements, which opens a lot of possibilities for three dimensional work. 

The above pieces were made for last year's Maymont show at Crossroads and are based on photos I took in April 2010.  I've tried to show the process from beginning to end.  There are three pieces in progress here--because each step requires drying time it is possible to work on several at once.