Bluegill Cove
collage en plein air by J A Dixon
on stretched canvas, 8 x 8 inches
with deep wood frame handcrafted by the artist
available for purchase
Archive for the ‘Collage’ Category
The bigger ain’t always the better!
Sunday, October 18th, 2026The REIMAGINE 2026 auction is now live!
Monday, September 28th, 2026“What happens when you hand a simple child’s drawing to a professional artist and say, “Now, make something from this”? That is the idea behind REIMAGINE, an annual Arts Connect program celebrating the creativity of elementary school children in Fayette County — and the remarkable artists who bring their ideas to life.”
— Kate Savage, Founder / Executive Director, ARTS CONNECT
My eye was caught by Ava’s stringed instrument, which offered endless potential for collage interpretation. I pictured how it could be featured inside a fantastical still life, pulsing with metamorphosis.
Participate in this annual event to benefit school art programs! Peruse the catalogue and then check out the bidding at the auction site. Thank you!
String Thesis
still life collage by J A Dixon
found material, wallpaper, sheet music, tea bags, tissue
on canvas, 20 x 16 inches
available for purchase
two artifacts, for better or worse
Monday, September 7th, 2026“. . . what you have is only a sack of fragments
never to be filled: old bones, fossils,
facts, scraps of writing, sprawls of junk.
You know yourself only poorly and in part,
the best and the worst maybe forgotten.
However you arrange the pieces, however
authentic, a story is what you’ll have,
an artifact, for better or worse.
So go ahead. Gather your findings into
a plausible arrangement. Make a story.
Show how love and joy, beauty and goodness
shine out amongst the rubble.”
– Wendell Berry, SABBATHS 2006
left— Boss of Creation
found-paper collage catharsis by J A Dixon
6.625 x 9.25 inches
right— Seek the Honcho
found-paper collage catharsis by J A Dixon
6.625 x 9.25 inches
(in memory of W.B. ~ please support The Berry Center)
The horse series continues . . .
Saturday, August 15th, 2026 
Equus Caballus
found paper collage by J A Dixon
7.875 x 10.125 inches
art collection of T L Strock
Adding livestock to my pictorial collage art . . .
Thursday, August 6th, 2026 
Clouds and Hooves
scrounged paper landscape by J A Dixon
on canvas panel, 8 x 8 inches
mounted to wood frame handcrafted by the artist
available for purchase
International Collage Art Exhibition 2026
Tuesday, July 7th, 2026“The artistic practice of John Andrew Dixon emerges from many years of experience in graphic design and a deeply considered engagement with the history of collage. He has developed a distinctive visual language in which compositional precision meets intuitive improvisation, and discarded material acquires renewed aesthetic value. Combining the discipline of a designer with the sensitivity of a landscape painter, Dixon approaches collage simultaneously as an image and as a material artifact.”
— Anna Kłos
This Thursday, July 9th, is the opening of the International Collage Art Exhibition in Poland at the University of Warsaw Library. It is an honor to have my nonrepresentational collage artwork as part of the landmark show. This body of work has been curated by Dr Anna Kłos, her fourth installment of an international project dedicated to contemporary collage art. It coincides with the 10th anniversary of Retroavangarda, the gallery that she organized to showcase her scholarship.
Modern Collage will be released as an accompanying publication, and I am pleased to announce that Wind Harbor and other examples of my work will be included.
The exhibition has been honored by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland. Official partners of Anna’s project include the Spanish Embassy, Argentinian Embassy, and the Czech Center in Warsaw. From what I understand, the display is scheduled over the next couple years for travel to selected museums across Europe. Presenting the work of 75 collage artists from around the world, it will highlight key developments and current trends in contemporary collage. I am proud to be one of the few artists representing North America and to be among the 50 artists chosen to appear in the new book.
Do I wish I could get on a jet with Dana and be there for the gala event? Of course — but “them cards ain’t been dealt yet.” I am more than satisfied to have recognition for my effort within the medium. Time will tell what the future holds.
Hot Ode (to jazz)
collage miniature by J A Dixon
2021, 3.5625 x 4.375 inches
collection of Retroavangarda
Outside the greenhouse this time . . .
Monday, July 6th, 2026This is my other new collage that is part of the “Gathered in the Garden” exhibition at Kleinhelter Gallery. If you are in the Louisville area and have never been across the river to visit this space in downtown New Albany, make it a point to do so over the next couple weeks. It’s a great summer show, and you’ll see all four of my originals on display.
Mood Marigold
still life collage by J A Dixon
found paper, tea bags, tissue, gel transfers
on canvas panel, 10 x 8 inches
with handcrafted oak frame
available for purchase
At the Greenhouse
Thursday, July 2nd, 2026This collage began as an on-site impression during a PAACK outing to the amazing Michler’s of Lexington, and then it became an extended studio interpretation from the photo reference I took away.
Currently on display and available at the incomparable Kleinhelter Gallery during their “Gathered in the Garden” show in New Albany, Indiana!
At the Greenhouse
still life collage by J A Dixon
found paper, tea bags, tissue, gel transfers, and litter
on canvas panel, 8 x 10 inches
with handcrafted oak frame
available for purchase
The East Village Seen . . .
Monday, June 29th, 2026“Although I have tiny, weak wrists and painful thumb joints, the great blessing of my life has been my able hands, ever responsive to what in contrast has always seemed to be a limited and resistant creative vision, more prone to disappoint than my loyal dexterity.”
— journal, 1/12/25
It is fortunate indeed that one of the most extraordinary heritage sites in the Midwest happens to be located nearby — Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill. One would think that an artist fond of working outside might make art there often. I have not. The probable reason is that I did not consider my evolving skills up to the task — until recently. Or perhaps I should say that it was never about a facility with paper at all, but more to do with an apparent reluctance to interpreting landmark-worthy scenes.
I am getting past that stumbling block, thank goodness.
I began with the sheep enclosure. During my first visit, I sketched a workshop and dwelling on the east side of the settlement, too. When I returned to that same spot, I focused on completing the drystone-lined pen, but kept pasting paper on the other architectural composition now featured here. Documenting my time in its studio follow-up was not precise, so I describe East Village as a plein-air piece with hesitation, although it has the spirit of one for sure. My goal was to capture the dignity of the setting with a rustic effect. As part of the finished look, I preserved rough edges of a scrounged substrate. Your opinion would be of interest to me!
East Village
Mercer County, Kentucky
collage en plein air by J A Dixon
found paper, gel transfers, tissue, tea bags
on vintage notebook cover, 12.5 x 6 inches
Hitting my lick at “Paint the Town 2026”
Saturday, June 27th, 2026“He was working at a pace he knew he could sustain until quitting time; he was hitting his lick. The difficulty had come to be balanced by his being equal to it. He seemed almost to be gliding, as if drawn on now not by will but by gravity.”
— Wendell Berry, ”A Friend of Mine” from That Distant Land
My collage painting sold at the “Paint the Town” reception on Saturday evening. No matter how much preparation I do, the annual plein-air challenge forces me to cut and paste faster than at any other time. This year I made a tiny preliminary study 
of my intended composition the previous day, and I think that helped me stay impressionistic enough to meet the speed constraint. My thanks to Kate Savage and all her Arts Connect board members who created another successful, celebratory event — plus the artwork buyer, too!
The resulting exhibition is on display at the Main Lexington Public Library until mid July. Visit the Arts Shop with this link to purchase other creations from the day — for as long as they last!
Aspect with Apse
St Peter Church, Lexington, Kentucky
collage en plein air by J A Dixon
on stretched canvas 10 x 10 inches
plus handcrafted wood frame
• S O L D
“Dry Day” kicks off my outside season!
Monday, June 15th, 2026 
Dry Day on the Fork
Boyle County, Kentucky
collage en plein air by J A Dixon
scrounged paper, litter, gel transfers, tea bags, dried botanicals
on canvas panel, 10 x 8 inches
available for purchase