Another day, another collage. Decided to crank out another abstract landscape piece before I dive back into my children’s book illustrations. I had to put the book project on hold for a while as I worked on the new education section of my website. So now I’m back at it – I have about four more to do, but then of course comes the editing and revisions I’ll need to do to the previous pieces. I’m getting pretty excited about it and hope to have everything completed within the next couple of months.
“Painting with Paper” Collages from NYC
A couple months ago I received an email from Eric, an artist and art educator in NYC. He had a few questions about my collage technique and told me that he was doing a collage unit around my work and the idea of “painting with paper.”
Yesterday he sent me the activity guide he used as well as several pictures of student collages. It made my day seeing some “painting with paper” work that was done in the classroom. Take a look at some of the student work, it’s very impressive:
The students used Chuck Close’s technique of using a grid to make large drawings. Then they collaged on top of their drawings.
New Education Section of Website
I’ve added a new tab to my website “Learn” – an education section. Over the past couple of years I’ve heard from various teachers who have used my artwork in their classrooms. These messages inspired me to put together an entirely new section devoted to students and teachers. At the moment it includes lesson plans and activities for kids such as worksheets for connect the dots, puzzles, matching games, and more.
In the future I hope to add a video section that includes “how to” videos for collaging and showing my process.
Beyond Form: Expressing Art Exhibition
Yesterday I did some gallery sitting at the Del Ray Artisans’ “Beyond Form: Expressing Art” group exhibition. Two of my latest abstract collages were in it – a non-objective piece and an abstract landscape one.
The exhibit showcases a variety of abstract artwork done in all different mediums by local artists. The show opened on March 4th and will run until the 27th.
Above is an image of a section of the gallery space. Yesterday was such a beautiful day – the lighting from outside was shining in through the windows, making the place look all the more beautiful.
And now I’m off to finish up some work for a new section of my website. I’ll add a blog post when everything is up and running.
Golden Plains
I decided to put together another abstract landscape collage today. It’s really nice to change up my technique to make these – they’re pretty fun to do. Usually I focus a lot of time on little details, and it’s nice to cut loose and just focus on color and texture while tearing paper instead of cutting it.
I’m still working away as usual. March has been a quiet month for my blog – I hope to post more next month. I’m striving to finish a couple large projects relatively soon, so once they’re completed that should free up my schedule a bit. Anyway, I’m off to work on some more illustrations.
Guitar
This is a simple collage that I put together for an upcoming group exhibition. I’ve been missing in action a little bit these days when it comes to blogging – been a little tied up with a couple of large projects that I’m anxious about completing.
And next month will be another busy month – I’m making a trek to Jasper, Indiana at the end of April for my solo show and day-long workshop. So far it looks like about forty of my pieces will be on display for the exhibit. Yep, I’ve got quite a bit of planning ahead of me but I’m pretty excited about getting everything ready.
Beyond Form: Expressing Art
March 4th – 27th, 2011
Nicholas Colasanto Center; Alexandria, Virginia
Map and Gallery Info
Opening Reception: Friday, March 4th from 7:00 – 10:00p.m.
Two of Megan’s latest abstract collages, “Abstract Landscape” and “Experiment 1,” were on display in the Del Ray Artisans’ “Beyond Form: Expressing Art” abstract art exhibition. The show was held at the Nicholas Colasanto Center.
The exhibit showcased the abstract artwork of local artists in Alexandria, Virginia. There was a great range of mediums featured in the show, including painting, photography, drawing, and mixed media collage. The work focused on the use of color and form. If you enjoy the expressive qualities of bright and colorful nonobjective artwork, then you would have enjoyed swinging by the Nicholas Colasanto Center to catch the “Beyond Form” exhibition.
Bosty on my Mind
Perhaps Bosty and I should go on a trip sometime soon? We shall see!
I’m still having a bit of fun with Photoshop and putting together a few images for the education section of my site. I still have a ways to go!
Things on my to do list:
- Finish my first children’s book – I’m on illustration number 20 now, about 10 left to go!
- Finish the online lesson plans so I can launch the education section of my website.
- Start doing some video work. I’m going to write a few scripts and then hopefully my brother and I can make a collaborative video project where we’ll use video and animation.
- Make a collage animation.
- Video record one of my collages from start to finish. I got myself a camcorder already, so I suppose you could say that’s one step in the right direction as far as tackling these video projects goes.
I’m so anxious to get things done since I’m pretty excited about the projects currently on my plate. Life is pretty busy, but I couldn’t be happier.