Archive for the ‘Artists/Collage’ Category

KRNL covers LKY . . .

Tuesday, December 17th, 2024

“Dixon hopes his students will share the belief that Kentucky’s landscapes need its inhabitants’ care and attention to preserve the space for generations to come.”
— Lilly Keith

What a surprise to have something happen with which I had no initiating role! Students at the University of Kentucky’s lifestyle magazine made an editorial decision to include my LITTER-ALLY KENTUCKY traveling exhibition in an article to showcase artwork created from repurposed material. Much appreciation to Lilly Keith and Alexis Baker for their contributions! (And thanks again to the PAACK member who provided this image of me “painting in papers” on location.)


K R N L – Lifestyle + Fashion

featuring the LKY theme: seeing our landscape in a new light

Discover CAMP!

Monday, December 9th, 2024

The most unique shop in downtown Danville will be open all Mondays before Christmas. ’Tis the season to visit. You’ll find my wood engravings, collage landscapes, and many other distinctive discoveries!
 

 

“Up the Channel” now available

Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024

 

Up the Channel
collage en plein air by J A Dixon
art size: 9.25 x 7.375 inches
framed: 16.75 x 13.75 inches
available to collectors

Friday, November 29th, 2024

Mindful of small pleasures,
Gave thanks for life’s treasures.

 

Thankful Ode (to Merz)
holiday collage by J A Dixon
13 x 15 inches
available for purchase

A happy 80th to Kathy!

Wednesday, November 27th, 2024

“Say thank you in advance for what is already yours.”
— Denzel Washington
 

As the holiday nears, gratitude is in the hearts of all who silently look inside and attune, especially those with circumstances in flux between sweetness and sorrow — for those of us less tempted to take things for granted — as a tide of adversity and bounty reminds us that thankfulness must be present in the midst of both suffering and grace.
 
   

   

   

A long practice of making crafted cards for others, the wellspring of my concentration on the art of collage, occasionally sparks an unexpected commission based, more often than not, on the traditional photo montage. These works may not be destined for a museum, but the response makes them a most rewarding experience, as I participate vicariously in an apex of family joy. The type of “legacy collage” featured below is an ideal gift because it is highly meaningful to the recipient, of course, but everyone also relates to the inherent “cut and paste” technique, accessible to all, with its deep heritage in the domestic and applied arts.
 

Bouquet of Memories
legacy collage by J A Dixon
11 x 14 inches

2024 CCMag Awards!

Friday, November 8th, 2024

“This year has been the biggest one yet for the Contemporary Collage Magazine Awards. We received almost two thousand entries across all six categories and the calibre of work has been outstanding.”
— Les Jones and Molly Campbell
 

 

Delighted to announce that my collage landscapes have earned international recognition from Contemporary Collage Magazine, with a Bronze Award in the Nature Series category. The jurors also placed my LITTER-ALLY KENTUCKY artworks in the overall “Series Shortlist.” The England-based publication has set an impressive standard for worldwide coverage of our artistic medium. My thanks to the panel of judges, with congratulations to fellow award winners, including friends Teri Dryden, Allan Bealy, and Robert Voigts.
 
   

It is gratifying not only to have my particular area of concentration gain recognition, but for it to be in the context of a wider acknowledgment of representational collage as a vital approach to the medium. I give great credit to CCMag for their ongoing salute to “collage as painting,” and to all the 2024 competition adjudicators.

 

Above Curtis Road
Boyle County, Kentucky
 
collage en plein air by J A Dixon
11 x 8 inches
part of the LITTER-ALLY KENTUCKY collection
giclée print available

Annual Small Works Invitational

Friday, November 1st, 2024


 
It’s November! I’m pleased to share a notice for SMALL WORKS and that my collage landscapes will be a part of this group exhibition at Kleinhelter Gallery in New Albany, Indiana.
 

A remote knobland outing . . .

Thursday, October 17th, 2024

 

 

   

Apparently this is the way I look when I’m “in the zone.” Thanks to Joe F for the photo. Monday was a splendid day on the Knob, but a contrast from when I began a collage painting there a year ago. I could never bring myself to touch that “start” in the studio, so I decided to sit in the same spot and to pick up where I had left off. Now I’m finally eager to finish it inside without ruining it.

A successful close in Frankfort, Kentucky

Wednesday, September 25th, 2024

“The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library.”
— Albert Einstein
 

If you want to make something happen, ask a librarian. Diane Dehoney is one of the best! Bringing our enjoyable collaboration at Paul Sawyier Public Library to a successful close was not my favorite part of having a show there. Heartfelt thanks to everybody in Frankfort.

LITTER-ALLY KENTUCKY is back in storage, but I want to send it on the road again for more to see. If you know a good location for it in 2025, please let me know!

 

Watch my LITTER-ALLY KENTUCKY show promo!

Sunday, September 1st, 2024

   

 

   

My sincere thanks to Brett Smith and Diane Dehoney for bringing this media coverage to YouTube and for promoting the show at Paul Sawyier Public Library. My collage landscapes infused with litter are on display in Frankfort for three more weeks.

Evolving creative intent with similar subjects

Friday, August 30th, 2024

“The writing and playing of music is a matter of intent…. You can’t just throw a paint brush against the wall and call whatever happens art.”
— Duke Ellington
 

There are so many old farmhouses and barns in our Knobland region of Kentucky, and they always hold my rapt attention as I interpret them in found papers. It is necessary, however, for me to quiet my busy mind and discover a soul connection to a particular natural place and the evident stewardship of those who have cared for it. Then, and only then, can I apply an intent to coax my intuition in an expected direction and to handle paper and paste with creativity.

I am pleased with what I achieved on the top half of this small canvas. The foreground is now due for an efficient studio finish.

Check out my series of posts that have described a seven-year plein air adventure, “painting in papers.”

 

At Walnut Springs (unfinished)
collage en plein air by J A Dixon
on stretched canvas, 10 x 8 inches
Plein Air Artists of Central Kentucky