Drawing Inspiration from the Figure

Man at the Market by collage artist Megan Coyle
“Man at the Market.” Collage on mat board. 16″x20″
Order a print

June 3rd – 26th, 2011
Nicholas Colasanto Center; Alexandria, Virginia
Map and Gallery Info

Opening Reception: Friday, June 3rd
from 7:00 – 10:00p.m.

Megan Coyle’s “Man at the Market” collage was on display at the Del Ray Artisans’ “Drawing Inspiration from the Figure” group exhibition. The collage was made around the same time that Coyle worked on a series of portraits for her Art League solo exhibition.

For years artists have used models to understand proportion, structure, movement and expression of the human figure. These studies have paved the way for intricate and detailed works of art. For the Del Ray Artisans’ June exhibit, artists created works of art that reflected this inspiration that has been drawn from the human form. “Drawing Inspiration from the Figure” featured the work of local artists. It included figure drawings as well as completed works of art in a variety of mediums.

First-Ever Collage Workshop

Megan Coyle Collage Workshop

A week ago from today I ran my first-ever collage workshop in Jasper, IN. Above is an image of some of the attendees working away on collages. I like how the tables got covered in bits and pieces of paper.

Megan Coyle Collage Workshop

An action shot of me presenting. I began the workshop with a brief overview of a history of collage, sharing the work of well-known collage artists, and then we worked on three collage projects. I planned out several projects for the class, but we only had time to create the first three.

Megan Coyle Collage Workshop

Really getting into my talk. It’s amazing that a couple years ago I was terrified of public speaking. Then after several artist talks and a couple of lectures, I find myself really enjoying it. With the workshop I was only a little nervous about whether or not the attendees would have a good time and learn something. I was very pleased to see that they were enjoying themselves.

Megan Coyle Collage Workshop

Some of the supplies alongside my postcard for the Krempp Gallery show.

Megan Coyle Collage Workshop

I did a lot of pacing around the room, taking a look at what the attendees were working on and offering them a bit of help here and there if they needed it.

Megan Coyle Collage Workshop

A couple collages made during the workshop.

Megan Coyle Collage Workshop

Passing out materials while presenting the next project.

Megan Coyle Collage Workshop

Some of the marketing materials I brought with me to give to the gallery.

Megan Coyle Collage Workshop

Here we were working on a simplified version of my “painting with paper” collage technique. The attendees received reference photos of public domain images. First they made a quick sketch based on the photos, and then they started cutting and pasting magazine strips on top of the drawing. Here I am providing a bit of help during the drawing stage of the project.

Megan Coyle Collage Workshop
Megan Coyle Collage Workshop

A collage in progress along with the photo it was based on.

Megan Coyle Collage Workshop

This attendee made a collage of a crane.

Megan Coyle Collage Workshop

And here’s another crane that was being pieced together.

Megan Coyle Collage Workshop

Towards the end, the tables were just about completely covered in paper.

Megan Coyle Collage Workshop

Here I am with a couple of the ladies who work for the Jasper Arts Center.

The workshop lasted several hours, although it went by very quickly. It was a lot of fun and I was incredibly happy about the response I received from the attendees by the end of it. I was so glad that everyone had a good time. I know that I wouldn’t mind running another workshop sometime in the future.

Paper Collage

Leisure Day by collage artist Megan Coyle
“Leisure Day.” Collage on paper. 18″x24″
Order a print

May 4th – 27th, 2011
Krempp Gallery, Jasper Arts Center
Jasper, Indiana
Map and Gallery Info

Artist Workshop: April 30th, 2011
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
More Info

“Paper Collage” was Megan Coyle’s first solo exhibition in the Midwest. The exhibit showcased a variety of Coyle’s collages – including portraits, animal portraits, and landscapes. From scenes depicting everyday life to portraits of animals that were inspired by Coyle’s visits to the National Zoo in DC, the exhibit was a great opportunity to see a wide range of her work in person.

The show shared Coyle’s unique technique of “painting with paper.” It included works that were completed over the past couple of years.

Before the opening of the exhibit, Megan ran her very first “Painting with Paper” Collage Workshop on April 30th, 2011.

“Painting with Paper” Collage Workshop with Megan Coyle

Pelicans by collage artist Megan Coyle
“Pelicans.” Collage on paper. 12″x16″
Order a print

Saturday, April 30th, 2011
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Jasper Arts Center; Jasper, Indiana
Workshop is for Teens and Adults

Join collage artist Megan Coyle as she discusses different collage techniques. Coyle has worked with paper collage for over eight years. During that time, she has honed a technique that she calls “painting with paper” – where she manipulates magazine strips to create collages that look and feel like paintings.

Megan’s workshop will review several different paper collage techniques, including her “painting with paper” technique. Attendees will also create several small collages. The workshop is a great introduction to collage and will give more experienced collage artists a few tips and ideas.

This event is open to the public and costs $25 per person. You can register by contacting the Jasper Arts Center.

It’s Only Rock n’ Roll, But I Like It!

Guitar by collage artist Megan Coyle
“Guitar.”
Collage on mat board. 7″x5″
Order a print

April 1st – May 1st, 2011
Nicholas Colasanto Center; Alexandria, Virginia
Map and Gallery Info

Opening Reception: Friday, April 1st from 7:00 – 10:00p.m.

Megan’s still life collage, “Guitar” was on display in the Del Ray Artisans’ “It’s Only Rock n’ Roll, But I Like It!” group exhibition. The show was held at the Nicholas Colasanto Center, and featured the work of local artists.

The exhibit focused on the theme of “Rock n’ Roll,” with artwork that depicted bands, musicians, instruments, songs, and other music related imagery. The exhibit was inspired by and paid homage to all things rock n’ roll. Those who had a chance to stop by the exhibit saw numerous works of art, each crafted in a different style with a different interpretation of the topic of rock n’ roll.

Beyond Form: Expressing Art

Landscape by collage artist Megan Coyle
“Experiment 2: Landscape.”
Collage on paper. 7″x5″
Order a print

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.

Nature’s Human

In the Woods by collage artist Megan Coyle
“In the Woods.” Collage on paper. 18″x24″
Order a print

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.

Blue: An Interpretation

A Piece of the Ocean by collage artist Megan Coyle
“A Piece of the Ocean.” Collage on paper. 12″x16″
Order a print

November 5th – 21st, 2010
Nicholas Colasanto Center; Alexandria, Virginia
Map and Gallery Info

“Blue: An Interpretation” was an all member show held by the Del Ray Artisans at the Nicholas Colasanto Center. The show featured the work of several local artists working in a variety of media while exploring different depictions of blue.

If you’ve taken a look at Megan’s work, you’ve probably noticed that she uses a lot of blue. Blue is a color that has frequently appeared in her work over the years. When she heard that the Del Ray Artisans were having a “Blue” exhibition, she was excited to share a couple of her collages that relate to the theme of the show.

Blue-Beaver
“Blue Beaver.” Collage on mat board. 5″x7″
Order a print

Megan’s “A Piece of the Ocean” and “Blue Beaver” were on display for the duration of the exhibit. Both pieces were recently exhibited in “The Animal Kingdom” solo exhibit.

Collage Scapes

Old Town Townhouses by collage artist Megan Coyle
“Old Town Townhouses.” Collage on paper. 12″x16″
Order a print

September 10th – November 5th, 2010
The East Alcove Gallery, NIH; Bethesda, Maryland
Map and Gallery Info

Eight of Megan Coyle’s latest collage scapes were on display in one of the National Institute of Health’s clinical galleries – The East Alcove Gallery.

Landscapes and cityscapes are one of the subjects that Megan hasn’t explored too often, and she wanted “Collage Scapes” to serve as a body of work where she’d explore the world around us in nature and urban life.

Her new landscape and cityscape collages featured scenes around the Washington, DC area, as well as New York City and abroad. With subjects ranging from local memorials to townhouses, Megan focused on the color that surrounds us in everyday environments.

The Animal Kingdom: A Series of Animal Collages

Elephant by collage artist Megan Coyle
“Elephant.” Collage on paper. 9″x12″
Order a print

August 1st – September 25th, 2010
Goodwin Gallery; Alexandria, Virginia
Map and Gallery Info

Reception & Artist Talk: Wednesday, August 4th, 2010 at 7:00p.m.

“The Animal Kingdom” featured animal collages ranging from domestic animals like cats and dogs, to more exotic animals like giraffes and elephants. Megan’s exhibit examined the diverse world of colorful and familiar creatures. Most of the artwork on display was inspired by the Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum and the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.

The exhibition included older works that appear in the online animal gallery as well as newer works that Megan prepared specifically for this exhibition. All artwork in the exhibition was available for sale.

Lightbox Image