Animals in Paper

Fine Dining for Pandas by collage artist Megan Coyle
Fine Dining for Pandas by collage artist Megan Coyle
“Fine Dining for Pandas.” Collage on paper. 18″x24″
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July 7th – September 29th, 2012
Beatley Alexandria City Gallery; Alexandria, Virginia
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Megan Coyle’s work was on display in a solo show at the Beatley Alexandria City Gallery. The Alexandria City Gallery Program exhibits the artwork of local artists in fifteen city galleries.

As a child, Coyle was always drawn to animals and colorful illustrations. Growing up in the D.C. area made it easy for her to visit the Smithsonian museums. She especially enjoyed visiting the animals at the zoo and seeing the animal exhibits at the Natural History Museum. Coyle continues to visit those places, but now she does it to study and gather inspiration for future works of art.

“Animals in Paper” featured several of Coyle’s new animal collages alongside a few older works of art. Her newer pieces included several 18″x24″ animal collages depicting species that didn’t appear in her previous work. The artwork explored the colorful diversity of animals in nature – with mammals, reptiles, and birds.

Inspired by color and the unique characteristics of different species, Coyle has created familiar images of animals big and small. All the collages were constructed entirely from magazine strips using a technique she calls “painting with paper.” If you were able to stop by for a visit, you could get a closer look at all the layers used for these paper creations.

Made from Magazines

Watchful Lion by collage artist Megan Coyle
“Watchful Lion.” Collage on paper. 16″x12″
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July 1st – 28th, 2012
Shirlington Library Gallery; Arlington, Virginia
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This solo show featured several of Coyle’s recently completed animal collages. The exhibit explored a variety of species meticulously constructed from bits and pieces of magazine pages. The work showcases how recycled materials can be used to make intricate works of art.

The animal collages were inspired by zoos around the U.S., especially the National Zoo in D.C., as well as museums like the Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum.

Shirlington Library has a modern look and feel to it, which made it the perfect venue for Coyle’s unusual collage art. The gallery is part of an arts program that brings local artists’ artwork into public city spaces.

Recycled Art Show

Tree Baby (Firefox) by collage artist Megan Coyle
“Tree Baby (Firefox).” Collage on paper. 16″x12″
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June 1st – 30th, 2012
Arlington Central Library Gallery; Arlington, Virginia
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Coyle’s “Tree Baby” and “Autumn Afternoons” collages were on display in Arlington Library’s “Recycled Art Show” group exhibit. The show featured artwork by local artists and each work of art was comprised of at least 50% recycled material.

This was Coyle’s second group exhibit at Arlington Library – she previously displayed her work in “The Art of Food” exhibit. She has also had two solo shows there, “Collaging the Figure” and “Select Works from Duck & Fish.”

Since her work is constructed entirely from magazine strips, it was a perfect fit for the show’s theme.

Subject to Interpretation

Flamingo Dancers by collage artist Megan Coyle
“Flamingo Dancers.” Collage on paper. 12″x16″
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April 13th – July 8th, 2012
Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art; Salisbury, Maryland
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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.

Childhood Memories

Girl with Glasses by collage artist Megan Coyle

April 6th – 29th, 2012
Nicholas Colasanto Center; Alexandria, Virginia
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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.

March ARTreach

Polar Bear by collage artist Megan Coyle
“Polar Bear. ” Collage on panel. 10″x10″
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March 3rd – 18th, 2012
Target Gallery; Alexandria, Virginia
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Art Party: Friday, March 16th
from 7:00 – 10:00p.m.

Megan’s “Polar Bear” collage was on display in her first-ever fundraiser art show, “March ARTreach.” The group exhibit was run by the Target Gallery and the March of Dimes, who teamed up to raise money for both organizations. All artwork on display was made on 10″x10″ wood panels. All proceeds from the show benefitted the Target Gallery’s 2012 outreach programming and the March of Dimes.

About March of Dimes

The March of Dimes is a nonprofit organization that is working to insure every baby is born healthy. It focuses on understanding genetic disorders, birth defects, and other concerns regarding the health of mothers and babies.

About Target Gallery

The Target Gallery is located inside the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town, Alexandria. The gallery hosts nine exhibits annually featuring a variety of themes and artists.

XX – Celebrating 20 Years in Del Ray!

Gorilla by collage artist Megan Coyle
“Gorilla.”
Collage on paper. 12″x9″
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March 2nd – April 1st, 2012
Nicholas Colasanto Center; Alexandria, Virginia
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Opening Reception: Friday, March 2nd
from 7:00 – 10:00p.m.

This group exhibit celebrated the Del Ray Artisans’ twentieth year anniversary. The Del Ray Artisans is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1992, and whose mission is to promote art for the benefit of artists and the community.

“XX” showcased a variety of work from local artists. The media ranged from painting to photography. Coyle’s “Gorilla” collage was featured in the exhibit.

A Palette of Paper – Collages by Megan Coyle

Orange Monkey by collage artist Megan Coyle
“Orange Monkey.” Collage on paper. 9″x12″
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February 8th – March 22nd, 2012
Center for the Arts, Caton Merchant Family Gallery; Manassas, Virginia
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Artist talk: Saturday, February 18th at 1:00p.m.

This solo exhibition of Coyle’s artwork featured her portrait, animal, landscape, and cityscape collages. “A Palette of Paper – Collages by Megan Coyle” focused on Coyle’s unique technique of creating collages that strongly resemble paintings, while using magazine strips or cut paper for her color palette.

The show included several new collages as well as older works. A total of around thirty collages were on display, showcasing Coyle’s interpretation of a variety of familiar subjects.

The Gallery’s Description of the Show:

If you can imagine how scissors plying through everyday magazines can give an outcome of surprising and masterful art, then you might imagine the incredible collages of Megan Coyle. Working in classic art genres, Megan breaks down her images piece by piece, evolving them from bits of magazines into whole new, amazing compositions.

It’s All About the Little Things

Ragamuffin by collage artist Megan Coyle
“Ragamuffin.” Collage on mat board. 5″x7″
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December 9th – 18th, 2011
Nicholas Colasanto Center; Alexandria, Virginia
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Opening Reception: Friday, December 9th from 7:00 – 10:00p.m.

Megan Coyle’s “Ragamuffin,” “Scottish Terrier,” and “Mr. Quackers” collages were on display in the Del Ray Artisans’ “It’s All About the Little Things” group exhibition. The show featured small works of art created by Del Ray Artisans members. The artwork on display was made from a wide range of materials – including photography, painting, and collage.

This was the second “small works” group exhibition that Coyle has been a part of. The last small works exhibition was held at the Art League Gallery in Old Town, Alexandria.

Out of the Wild

Toucan Samantha by collage artist Megan Coyle
“Toucan Samantha.” Collage on paper. 12″x16″
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August 16th – December 12th, 2011
Davidson County Community College;
Lexington, North Carolina

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Opening Reception: Tuesday, August 30th from 4:00 – 6:00p.m.

Megan Coyle was selected to be one of nine artists in this juried group exhibition. Seven of her collages were on display at Davidson County Community College’s Fall 2011 exhibition, “Out of the Wilds.” The show included her “Brown Bear,” “A Piece of the Ocean,” “Sunbathing Turtles,” “Elephant,” “Turtle,” “Gorilla,” and “Toucan” collages.

The artists featured in the exhibit created a variety of artwork that reflects the wildlife theme. Coyle’s wildlife collages were inspired by her trips to the National Zoo and Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington, DC. The selected collages show Coyle’s range of texture and color use, as well as the different ways she depicts different animals. The exhibit included some of Coyle’s newer work as well as older pieces like “Elephant.”