Blog | Megan Coyle: Artist & Illustrator

April 17, 2012June 16, 2024

Tranquil Plains

To change things up a bit – since I’ve been working on so many animal collages – I decided to put together a landscape piece. In the next couple of weeks I should probably get started on a new series of landscape pieces. I have a solo show next year where I’d like to exhibit landscape and cityscape collages of various sights around the DC area. And since landscape isn’t an easy subject for me to tackle, because I’m more interested in figures and animals, it will be quite a challenge. Thus I figure it’s better to get started early on that project so I can ensure that all the artwork is a consistent quality for the show.

April 13, 2012June 15, 2024

Subject to Interpretation

Flamingo Dancers by collage artist Megan Coyle — “Flamingo Dancers.” Collage on paper. 12″x16″
Order a Print

April 13th – July 8th, 2012
Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art; Salisbury, Maryland
Map and Gallery Info

Coyle’s “Flamingo Dancers” and “Mallard Duck” collages were recently accepted into the Ward Museum‘s permanent collection. “Subject to Interpretation” was the first group exhibit that the collages were in since they were acquired by the Museum.

The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art is located on the Eastern Shore in Maryland. It promotes wildfowl art and celebrates the Eastern Shore decoy carvers, Lemuel and Stephen Ward – the artists that the Museum is named after.

The exhibit, “Subject to Interpretation,” showcased a wide variety of bird species depicted by different artists. The work explored the movement and form of birds.

April 12, 2012June 16, 2024

Barn Owl

Above is the finished “Barn Owl” collage. The client gave this piece to her sister (who is expecting) to go in the baby’s room. The color scheme I worked with matches the colors used to decorate the room.

April 6, 2012March 21, 2018

Childhood Memories

April 6th – 29th, 2012
Nicholas Colasanto Center; Alexandria, Virginia
Map and Gallery Info

Opening Reception: Friday, April 6th
from 7:00 – 10:00p.m.

This group exhibit focused on the artists’ childhood. This included artwork inspired by childhood memories like trips, gatherings, experiences, animals, places, or people. The exhibit showcased a variety of artwork by local artists created in all different kinds of materials.

Coyle’s “Girl with Glasses” collage was featured in the exhibit. “Girl with Glasses” was previously exhibited at the Smithsonian Ripley Center as well as the Caton Merchant Family Gallery.

April 5, 2012June 6, 2024

The Curious Penguin

It’s been a while since the last time I made a penguin collage. This guy was inspired by the Natural History Museum in D.C. I wasn’t able to find inspiration from the National Zoo (like I usually do) since we don’t have any penguins there. The Natural History Museum has quite a selection of rocks and minerals and of course, taxidermy. And their animal collection has definitely helped me out with quite a few collages. I usually need some sort of point of reference in order to make a work of art. When it comes to exotic animals or even just ordinary animals, their collection helps me out a lot.

April 2, 2012June 16, 2024

My Artwork is Now in a Museum’s Permanent Collection

Mallard Duck by collage artist Megan Coyle — Order a print

I’m pleased to announce that two of my collages, “Mallard Duck” and “Flamingo Dancers,” have been accepted into the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art‘s collection. This is the first time my work has become part of a museum’s permanent collection.

The Ward Museum is located on the Eastern Shore in Maryland. It promotes wildfowl art and celebrates the Eastern Shore decoy carvers, Lemuel and Stephen Ward – the artists that the Museum is named after.

So what does a permanent collection mean?
This means that the museum owns the accepted collages. A permanent collection doesn’t mean the work will be on display at all times – it means the artwork is part of the collection curators pull from when designing future exhibits. All museums have changing exhibits where they have a chance to rotate and share the artwork they own.

The two collages will also be in an upcoming exhibit at the Ward Museum called “Subject to Interpretation,” which runs from April 13th to July 8th, 2012. And Duck & Fish will be available for sale in their gift shop.

March 29, 2012June 16, 2024

Karma Chameleon

Here’s my first attempt at collaging a chameleon. Next time round I’d like to play even more with the texture of the lizard, and perhaps have some fun with focusing on what chameleons are known for – changing colors. There are all kinds of possibilities…just think of how many unique backgrounds or settings could be used for the chameleon as it tries to blend in.

In other news, last week my solo show in Manassas ended. It was wonderful getting the opportunity to share my work at the Candy Factory, it’s just a shame that the time flew by so quickly. I was pleased to see that several collages now have new homes. As great as it is to sell your artwork, sometimes I find myself thinking “Oh no – I hope I can make something just as good to replace the sold work.” There’s always the worry of having enough consistent and cohesive work to exhibit in upcoming solo shows.

I’m going to be pretty busy working away on artwork for future exhibits this year and next year. After that, I think I’ll take a break from exhibiting my work so often so I can focus more time and energy on other projects like short animations or another children’s book.

March 18, 2012March 21, 2018

Celebrating Twenty Years in Del Ray

Gorilla by collage artist Megan Coyle

Yesterday I gallery sat for the Del Ray Artisans. Their current exhibition “XX – Celebrating Twenty Years in Del Ray!” includes a variety of artwork depicting all kinds of subject matter. My “Gorilla” collage is in the exhibit and the picture above shows it hanging in this group show.

And now I’m off to gather inspiration for more animal collages as well as a few landscape/cityscape pieces. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

March 14, 2012June 5, 2024

The Otter Sisters

I have to admit that one of my favorite things about collage is how it’s always a surprise how a collage will turn out. Sometimes you can find some pretty interesting textures and patterns in magazines, and when they are cut a certain way – voilà, it all comes together. Other times you can end up with some pretty unsatisfactory results, but all in all, it’s an exciting process. I was pleasantly surprised with “The Otter Sisters” – at first I wasn’t too sure what to think of it. But after setting it aside for a while, then returning to work on it briefly, I was happy with the mix of texture on the otters and in the background.

March 9, 2012June 16, 2024

Hippo’s Day Out

This piece was inspired by Happy the Hippo who used to live at the National Zoo. Aside from the meerkats, Happy was one of my favorite animals to visit there. Unfortunately they moved him to Milwaukee Zoo in 2009, although he must be happier there since he’s around other hippos. Anyway, the above collage is inspired by the many times I stopped by the zoo and Happy was outside in his pool. He’d hold his breath underwater for several minutes, as impatient tourists would stand by with cameras ready when he’d resurface. Whenever he did resurface, it was only for a few seconds before plunging back down into the water.

I’m currently working away on several new animal collages. And I’ve also started thinking about taking a break from exhibiting my work in galleries. I’d kinda like to focus on other projects instead of taking on the workload of promoting exhibits…we shall see what I end up doing…