Appealing Magazine Page Collages by Merrideth MacDonald

A Google Alert led me to a very nice segment on CTV News about collage artist Merrideth MacDonald of Hunky Dunky Dory Paper Art. With a site name like that, I suspected it would be fun to learn more about Meredith and her hobby-turned-career of creating magazine paper collages. I wasn't wrong... she has a sense of humor as many of her Instagram post captions prove.

 

Merrideth lives on Cape Breton Island, which is located off the eastern shore of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. She creates an array of realistic animal collages, but also captures people and flowers by selecting magazine images that show texture and just the right colors.  I asked Meredith to tell us about her work process as a collage artist:

 

I am a former elementary school library tech and that is where this particular art practice has its origins. I was inspired by Eric Carle's collage style when I was first creating work, but ended up growing into my own style and technique. He used tissue papers and hand painted papers mostly to collage. 

 

 

 

When I first began, I would paint a base and add to it with magazine papers, leaving some paint purposely exposed. As I grew into my own style, I stopped using paint entirely and now work from a loose sketch. I am not a very good painter or illustrator, but layering in small pieces works for me. 

 

 

The plan was to illustrate a children's book, but in the end, art prints is what I have been doing for the last decade or so. I love the simplicity of collage. It only requires small scissors (I use a variety) and a gluestick (Aleene's Industrial Strength is my favourite) and magazines. 

 

 

I am fortunate that people donate magazines to me, but I am a bit picky on the quality. Fashion magazines and art magazines tend to be my first choice. 

 

 

In addition to my collage work, I worked at the Cape Breton Centre of Craft and Design as a gallery assistant and also do reproduction work for other artists who want to make prints of their paintings/collage work. This helps fund my studio space in the new Eltuek Arts Centre. [which looks like such a cool place to create!]

 

 

Have a look at the CTV News feature about Merrideth, along with her website where you can purchase original collages or prints, and follow her on Instagram, @meredithmacdonald.