Nancy Pelosi

Nancy Pelosi by collage artist Megan Coyle
“Nancy Pelosi” Collage on mat board. 7″x5″
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And here’s the finished piece – as you can see it’s much different than the first progress picture. When my client reviewed progress images of this one, she decided she wanted Nancy wearing a dark jacket instead of blue. She also made a few suggestions here and there. Her feedback was pretty helpful with shaping this into a Nancy portrait that looks more like Nancy.

I’m kind of excited about the idea of making a series of political leader collages, especially since I live in the DC area. We shall see how that goes when I get to it…

And now I’m off to work on my children’s book illustrations as well as another portrait for a client. It’s snowing like crazy outside – good weather for staying in and making artwork!

Nature’s Human Exhibition

Today the exhibition “Nature’s Human” opened at Eastern Kentucky University’s Giles Gallery. Two of my pieces are currently on display there – “Into the Woods” (pictured above) and “Riverside Loungers” (see below). Both pieces were initially created for one of my solo exhibitions last year – “Stories in Paper.” The artwork in this national juried exhibition comes from a variety of artists and was created from quite a range of materials. All the pieces focus on the theme of humans and nature.

A couple weeks ago I made the trek to Richmond, Kentucky to drop off my collages. I wanted to check out the gallery space and get a feel for the area. I’m glad I did, but I’m also glad I made arrangements to have the work shipped back to me after the show. It was a fairly long trip after all.

I was a little nervous about making the arrangements for shipping since I’m always concerned about the safety of my artwork. My “Nature’s Human” collages are the largest size I currently work in – both are 18″x24″ – and I have never shipped a piece that large before. However, after dropping by the UPS store, buying lots of bubble wrap, and getting a prepaid label that included insurance to cover the value of the collages, I felt a little more comfortable.

Nature’s Human

In the Woods by collage artist Megan Coyle
“In the Woods.” Collage on paper. 18″x24″
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January 24th – February 18th, 2011
Giles Gallery; Richmond, Kentucky
Map and Gallery Info

Opening Reception: January 27th, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

“Into the Woods” and “Riverside Loungers,” two of Megan’s figurative collages, were on display in the EKU Chautauqua National Exhibition “Nature’s Human” in Giles Gallery. Eastern Kentucky University’s Chautauqua Lecture Series and the Department of Art & Design jointly sponsored the juried art exhibition on the theme of humans and nature. Ann Tower, a professional artist in Lexington, was the juror of the exhibit.

The exhibit featured the work of artists around the country and their interpretations of the theme “Nature’s Human.” Megan’s “Into the Woods” and “Riverside Loungers” both feature figures in a natural environment. The fragments of paper used to construct each piece initially came from images of models and natural landscapes in magazines. By cutting up magazine pages, Megan has pulled the pieces of paper away from their original context while creating scenes where the human form and natural landscape are major components of the finished work.

So.Many.Ideas.!!!

Megan Coyle Collage Thoughts

So many ideas and so little time! I better hurry up so I can capture them all on paper! Or should I say “in” paper?

My desk is covered in slips of paper – all my “to do” lists. I’m anxious to start quite a few projects and finish them soon, but there’s only so many hours in the day. Thus I’m focusing on just a couple of things for now.

I’m continuing to work away on my book but I have a couple of other projects coming up that I haven’t mentioned before. A client of mine contacted me about donating my services for a silent auction for an organization called The Cure Starts Now. TCSN raises money for pediatric brain cancer research. I’ve lost a few family members to different types of cancer, and I couldn’t think of any other type of organization I’d want to donate my work to. So it looks like I’ll be donating a custom work of art for the first time in the next few months.

Anyway, I’m off to turn my collage thoughts into actual collages.

Bosty goes to Charlottesville

Bosty goes to Charlottesville by collage artist Megan Coyle

Bosty decided to go on a trip to enjoy the vineyards and landscape of Charlottesville, Virginia.

Bosty goes to Charlottesville by collage artist Megan Coyle

He stayed at the Clifton Inn

Bosty goes to Charlottesville by collage artist Megan Coyle

and enjoyed lounging around on his room’s deck.

Bosty goes to Charlottesville by collage artist Megan Coyle

He liked the rustic decor – although the room was also decorated with a few birdcages. They reminded him a little too much of a pet shop.

Bosty goes to Charlottesville by collage artist Megan Coyle

And after a lazy day, he ran outside to catch the sunset.

Bosty goes to Charlottesville by collage artist Megan Coyle


Later in the week, Bosty decided to take a look at UVA’s campus. He dressed up for the occasion in a colonial hat…

Bosty goes to Charlottesville by collage artist Megan Coyle

Bosty sure does love Jeffersonian architecture!

Bosty goes to Charlottesville by collage artist Megan Coyle

He ended his trip by strolling through some countryside pastures.

Pink Coffee Cup

Pink Coffee Cup by collage artist Megan Coyle

“Pink Coffee Cup”
Collage on mat board (coated paper)
7″x5″

Since I have focused a lot of time on my children’s book illustrations, I’ve decided to strive to complete a couple small collages every week. That way I can break up my illustration work a bit and continue to explore other subjects and compositions. The piece above is something I completed last night. Instead of working with magazine strips like I usually do, I used coated paper. The paper was pretty thick which forced me to work with fewer strips and it simplified the look of the finished piece. This exercise reminds me that I should start thinking about projects for the workshop I’m running in April. I know that April seems a ways away, although it will get here before I know it…

Shelby

Shelby by collage artist Megan Coyle
“Shelby” Collage on paper. 9″x12″
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Here’s the finished piece. My client gave this collage to his wife as a Christmas gift. I was happy to hear that it was well received. This dog sure looked pretty cute – in all the reference photos the client sent me, Shelby had her tongue hanging out.

Anyway, I’m off to enjoy the weekend. I’m going to work away on my children’s book illustrations – and I must say, it’s pretty difficult being secretive about my book since I’m so used to sharing my progress pictures, etc. The only image from the project I plan to post is the cover art once I’ve finished it. I’m half-way done with the book – can’t wait until it’s finished and ready for print. I’m excited to share it – even though it’s got a ways to go.