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works on paper

mixed media analog collage art

Enter the Gallery

Meet the Artist

Hi, I’m Laura, and I am a mixed media analog collage artist. I work with secondhand paper-based ephemera to craft complex, layered compositions that are highly unified in colour and concept. My finished works read more like traditional paintings, rather than a conventional scrapbooking aesthetic.

Laura Iseley (b. 1998) is a mixed media collage artist who “paints with paper,” creating layered compositions from vintage magazines, books, and other found materials. Her work combines classical visual structure with contemporary, maximalist reinterpretations of historical -- often feminine -- imagery, recontextualizing familiar fragments to explore shifting narratives and symbolic resonance.
Originally from Mebane, NC, Laura studied Biology and Studio Art at UNC–Chapel Hill, where her collage practice began. In 2024, she completed the Kolaj Institute’s Collage Artist Residency in Scotland with support from South Arts' Career Opportunity Grant. She has exhibited nationally, including recent shows at The Athenaeum (Philadelphia), The Oculus at the World Trade Center (NYC), and galleries in New Orleans and Atlanta. Her work has received recognition including Runner-Up for Contemporary Collage Magazine’s Innovation Award. In addition to her exhibition work, she has created commissioned pieces such as book covers ("No Legacy So Rich") and promotional material for short films ("Wokman"). In 2025, she was commissioned to create an artwork for the charitable Midori & Friends 33rd Anniversary Gala in New York City, where it was auctioned to support youth music education.
Laura is a member of IAA–USA, the U.S. chapter of the International Association of Art, an official partner of UNESCO. She also shares her process through often-viral videos on Instagram and TikTok (@collagebylaura / @iseleylaura) and currently works between North Carolina and New York City.
I am a collage artist who creates intricate, painterly compositions from paper-based ephemera.
I describe my approach as “painting with paper,” transforming print media, pressed flowers, and other found materials into unified scenes that echo the structure and harmony of traditional painting: a tight colour palette, layered grounds, and reimagined archetypes.
My work explores how imagery changes when removed from its original context and is reassembled. I am especially drawn to the portrayal of women throughout history, reframing them from passive muses to forces of agency and admiration. By recontextualizing feminine imagery, I examine themes of power, creativity, domesticity, fantasy, and self-possession, offering a vision of the female experience that is playful, complex, and autonomous. I aim to spark recognition in viewers by using familiar fragments that gain new meaning through association and visual interplay.
Craftsmanship and nature are central to my practice. Forests, coastlines, and other Southern landscapes often inform the atmospheres I create. The tactile dialogue of organic materials with reclaimed paper foregrounds environmental sensitivity while honoring the handmade qualities of my process. I view collage as an intrinsically resourceful practice, rooted in local materials and shaped by a naturalist approach.
Framing is integral: I often build custom frames or repurpose vintage finds, treating them as extensions of the work rather than simple presentation.

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collage-gone-viral

I love sharing the creative process behind my collage art with my online community. Some of my favorite moments have gone viral, giving a behind-the-scenes look at how each piece comes together—from the initial concept to the final layers of paper and texture. These behind-the-scenes clips have resonated with viewers, offering insight into the time, care, and creativity that go into each piece. I love connecting with others through these videos and hope they inspire as much as they entertain

For me, the making-of videos are just as important as the final artwork. I see the presentation of the process as an art form in itself, where editing style and song choices are carefully selected to enhance the meaning behind each piece. These videos don’t just show how I create—they help tell the story behind the work, blending visuals, music, and creativity into a narrative. Sharing this journey with my community is a way to invite others into the art, where the process is as much a part of the story as the finished piece.

@collagebylaura

Spooky season is upon us 🫣 … with some misfortunes #collage #collageart #upcycle #artworkprocess #artframing #thriftflip #vampire #spookyseason

My piece, How the Sausage is Made, earned a Runner-Up title last year in Contemporary Collage Magazine’s annual awards 🥩 check out the printed (charcuterie) spread 👆🏻 This piece is currently ON VIEW at Information Space gallery in Philadelphia @theinformationspace thru October 12th! And a reminder to fellow collagists, the deadline to enter the 2024 CCM awards is TODAY @contemporarycollagemagazine #collage #collages #collageart #analogcollage #analogcollageart #papercollage #collageonpaper #collageoutofthebox #collageoftheday #cutandpaste #cutandpastecollage #kolajmagazine #collagesociety #collageartists #arizonacollagecollective #collagetheotherfineart #collagethebard #pariscollageclub #pariscollagecollective #twincitiescollagecollective #absurdist_collageclub #contemporarycollagemagazine #collagewave #collageexhibit

Just how is the sausage made?? All of these questions and more are answered at The Info Space in Philly, PA at The Dirt in Our Garden 🪱🥩 Photos from opening reception last weekend — though I couldn’t make it, I loved seeing everyone’s photos! Make sure you swing by the exhibit if you’re in town; on view now thru Oct 12th ✨ #collage #collages #collageart #analogcollage #analogcollageart #papercollage #collageonpaper #collageoutofthebox #collageoftheday #cutandpaste #cutandpastecollage #kolajmagazine #collagesociety #collageartists #arizonacollagecollective #collagetheotherfineart #collagethebard #pariscollageclub #pariscollagecollective #twincitiescollagecollective #absurdist_collageclub #contemporarycollagemagazine #collagewave #philadelphiaart #phillyart

meat collage we all say in unison 🥩 (this piece will be on display in Philadelphia at The Dirt in Our Garden exhibit at @theinformationspace starting Saturday with the opening reception 5-9pm!) #collage #collages #collageart #analogcollage #analogcollageart #papercollage #collageonpaper #collageoutofthebox #collageoftheday #cutandpaste #cutandpastecollage #kolajmagazine #collagesociety #collageartists #arizonacollagecollective #collagetheotherfineart #collagethebard #pariscollageclub #pariscollagecollective #twincitiescollagecollective #absurdist_collageclub #contemporarycollagemagazine #collagewave #philadelphiaart #phillyart #historicphiladelphia #independencehall #theathenaeum #collageexhibit #firstfridayphilly

Super pumped to share that my yummy piece, “How the Sausage is Made,” will be on public display for the first time at The Info Space in upcoming exhibit, “The Dirt in Our Garden” 🥩 @theinformationspace , coincidentally also in Philadelphia! This piece was absolutely made to be viewed in person, and I couldn’t be more thrilled that Info Space will get to be that new home for the next month. The gallery is a small, artist run gallery located in Kensington, Philly among an alleyway of other artisans and nestled in the local art community. The show opens THIS SATURDAY 9/14 at the gallery 5-9PM 🍖 and while I unfortunately won’t be able to make it back out to Philly, I welcome everyone to go check it out! Due to divine timing I have somehow managed to have two exhibits in Philadelphia in the same month (after never having anything there at all). Between this, Paper Trails, and Tate Street, it’s been super busy. But not busy enough yet! More lots in the works. Be sure to tag me if you go see my sausage 🌭 “The Dirt in Out Garden” image text: Information Space is pleased to present their first open call exhibition, The Dirt in Our Garden featuring 28 artists nationwide that do not hold fine art degrees. Amplifying the voices of artists that are self taught and untraditionally trained gives us a fuller picture of the range of work being made in our community of artists. Much like overturning or rotating a garden, we look to elevate new perspectives of typically overlooked artists. The Dirt in Our Garden takes shape as a sprawling installation of works ranging from collage, drawing, sculpture, photography, painting, and ceramics, suspended between the physical and the astral plane. Hosting a number of local artists as well as creators from New York to Miami from Georgia to Portland. Bodies, human and beyond, are disfigured and out of place, not horrific but rather apparitions at the edge of vision. The landscapes and environment portrayed reach through historical propaganda to an intersectional struggle of the trouble with having a body.

ᯓ➤ 𝙋𝘼𝙋𝙀𝙍 𝙏𝙍𝘼𝙄𝙇𝙎!! -ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈ This past weekend attending the opening reception of “Paper Trails,” a collage specific exhibit of 60 artists, curated by @collagephiladelphia and hosted by the historic Athenaeum of Philadelphia — just a block away from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell @philaathenaeum 💙 There was such a great turnout at this event, and it was very inspiring being surrounded by so many different styles of collage. I’m honoured to be a part of this group exhibit with my piece “Adam Touching Atom.” He seemed like he fit in with the vibe at the Athenaeum ⚛️ The exhibit will be up through October 26th, with multiple collage workshops taking place till then, ultimately culminating in a collage symposium. If you’re headed to Philly, be sure to swing by and check out this free exhibit located in the heart of the historic district! Thank you to Collage Philadelphia, the Athenaeum, and curator @deannablackdesign for letting me participate in this super cool exhibition. 😊♥️ (If you see your art and would like a tag, please let me know. I couldn’t find everyone and there was a lot of art!) #collage #collages #collageart #analogcollage #analogcollageart #papercollage #collageonpaper #collageoutofthebox #collageoftheday #cutandpaste #cutandpastecollage #kolajmagazine #collagesociety #collageartists #arizonacollagecollective #collagetheotherfineart #collagethebard #pariscollageclub #pariscollagecollective #twincitiescollagecollective #absurdist_collageclub #contemporarycollagemagazine #collagewave #philadelphiaart #phillyart #historicphiladelphia #independencehall #theathenaeum #collageexhibit #firstfridayphilly

So delighted to announce that my piece, “Adam Touching Atom,” has been selected to show in @collagephiladelphia show 𝙋𝙖𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙨 at the historic @philaathenaeum in Philadelphia! 🔔 Opening night is THIS FRIDAY!! Sept 6th 5-7PM at The Athenaeum, just blocks from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Due to serendipitous circumstantial events, I will be able to attend! 𝙋𝙖𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙨 is a collage specific show that received over 300 submissions, ultimately featuring works from 60 different collage artists — of which I am flattered to be one of them! The Athenaeum is an interesting building — previously built in the 19th century as a subscription library before the public library system existed. Now, it’s a museum, active collection, and venue for artistic works. Though 𝙋𝙖𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙨 is a gallery show, it is my first time exhibiting at a historic museum, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. This is my first exhibit in Philly (my mom’s hometown) 😊 The show will be up through the end of October. Philadelphia community — let me know if you plan on coming out! Event Image Credit - “Celestial Movements I” by Jillian M Rock @jillianmrock Social Graphics Artist Credits - Cover Slide: “Untitled” by John Muse @johnmustartist Second Slide: Top left - “Déjate morir” by Pam Ayala @the_cut_cult Top right - “Shadow” by Karen Kresge @karenk32 Bottom left- “Tossing and Turning” by Kellette Elliott @kelletteworks Bottom right - “Cry Me a River” by Jon Garbet @tropical.cuts #collage #collages #collageart #analogcollage #analogcollageart #papercollage #collageonpaper #collageoutofthebox #collageoftheday #cutandpaste #cutandpastecollage #kolajmagazine #collagesociety #collageartists #arizonacollagecollective #collagetheotherfineart #collagethebard #pariscollageclub #pariscollagecollective #twincitiescollagecollective #absurdist_collageclub #contemporarycollagemagazine #collagewave

Opening at Tate ✨thank you to everyone who came out to my reception yesterday to celebrate my art show @tatestreetcoffee! 🤎 It was so great having my friends and family there for support, catch up, and eat some tasty cheese & grapes 🥹🧀 thank you to @iantjones_ @yeseniaajos @cadyfleet and my parents for helping me set everything up ! (They knew all the artwork titles like real fans fr) This year, I have 38 pieces on display — ten more than last time. I really like how full the walls look, and it’s so nice to get to exhibit my art publicly in a place that many frequent. I feel like my variety of frames and pieces matches the aesthetic of the shop, so I hope that my art can make your next coffee visit a little more special. My art will be up through September 30th, so please feel free to check it out and grab a sweet treat! 📸 @sarah_final_v.1 #collage #collages #collageart #analogcollage #analogcollageart #papercollage #collageonpaper #collageoutofthebox #collageoftheday #cutandpaste #cutandpastecollage #kolajmagazine #collagesociety #collageartists #arizonacollagecollective #collagetheotherfineart #collagethebard #pariscollageclub #pariscollagecollective #twincitiescollagecollective #absurdist_collageclub #contemporarycollagemagazine #collagewave #greensboroart #greensboronc

So delighted to announce that I will be returning to @tatestreetcoffee as the September featured artist! ☕️🤎 Opening reception is THIS Sunday from 1 ~ 3 PM, where I will be attending to chat about my art, your fav coffee order, and any matter of cozy things. Please let me know if you can make it out! ♡ Fan-favourite collages and recent works alike will be displayed on the gallery wall for the entire month, September 1st ~ September 30th 📍 Greensboro, NC Limited physical copies of my father’s novel will be available for purchase — on display with the original cover artwork I designed for him. Can’t wait to see you there!

That’s a wrap on Interstellar Overdrive! 💫 thank you to everyone who came out to support me, the other visual artists, and the @metabetties team last night at @thecanvas3.0 gallery 🥹🌌 Since it was such a short pop-up, I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect. I had never participated in an event like this in NYC before (or anywhere else for that matter). It was also clandestine, as I didn’t know a week ago I’d be doing this! I wasn’t sure how my piece would be received digitally, since I’ve only exhibited physical art before. But I was so honored to have received the conversation that it did, and I truly appreciate everyone who came out to look through the works. The exhibition was packed with so much energy and passion, and I’m so glad that I got to meet everyone that I did (all while supporting empowered women🙏🏻) Thank you Oculus and the iconic Meta Betties! 💋 #collage #collageart #nycart #nycartgalleries #nycartist #newyorkart #newyorkartgallery #metabetties #metabettiesgalleryevent #oculus #theoculus #oculusnyc #collageartist #collagewave #artexhibit #performanceart #analogcollage #papercollage #collageonpaper #collagetheotherfineart #pariscollagecollective #feministart #contemporycollagemagazine

Interstellar Overdrive opens TODAY! Come see my piece “What’s Another Night on Mars?” at The Canvas 3.0 gallery @thecanvas3.0 in the Oculus for the next three days 🗽✨🌃 Be sure to RSVP for FREE for the closing party happening this Friday, 7-midnight via curator @metabetties profile links 💫 My work is among 50 other visual artists, and there will be some exciting performance art at the party ^this is the framed original analog collage; the piece on display is the high-quality digitized version #collage #collageart #theoculus #nycart #newyorkcityart #nycartist #canvasgallery #artshow #freenyc #artexhibit #analogcollage #spaceart #papercollage #paperart #collageonpaper #digitalcollage #digitalart #worldtradecenter #oculusnyc #metabetties #collagewave #collagecommunity #collagecollective

SURPRISE POP-UP!! 🚀 My piece “What’s Another Night on Mars?” will be digitally displayed at @thecanvas3.0 gallery located within The Oculus @westfieldworldtradecenter mall in NYC this week 🗽⚡️ In collaboration with resident @metabetties and @thehugxyz , the gallery is presenting a celestially curated exhibit 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙧 𝙊𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙙𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚: 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 combining works of 50 artists, of which I am happy to be one of them 🥰 🪐 The work will only be on digital display for THREE days this week — Wednesday August 14 thru Friday August 16th 🪐 Register for the after party and event through @metabetties links in bio — hope to see you there! 👩🏻‍🚀 #nycart #nycexhibition #worldtradecenter #theoculus #theoculusnyc #collageart #collageartist #metabetties #spaceart #thingstodonyc #analogcollage #digitalart #interstellar #newyorkartist #nycgallery #collagecollective #collagecommunity

« once I sat upon a promontory, and heard a mermaid on a dolphin’s back uttering such dulcet and harmonious breath, that the rude sea grew civil at her song, and certain stars shot madly from their spheres to hear the sea-maid’s music » 🌊 La Sirène Crépusculaire 🌙 15” x 19” ✨ analog collage with gold foil & mother of pearl 🌊 My latest piece is the the twilight mermaid, who emerges from her shell at dusk to cloak the night sky in glittering, gleaming fabric. This work was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed crafting something classically inspired (Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, Auguste Raynaud’s La Nuit). Her tail is an experiment in layering individual flakes of mother of pearl in a scale pattern. In person, the nacre is noticeably opalescent compared to the rest of the paper collage. I tinted them very lightly with watered down pigment to give them more uniformity as a sage green tail. This piece is inspiration for one of my dream silicone tails ♡ Prints available at link in bio #collage #collages #collageart #analogcollage #analogcollageart #papercollage #collageonpaper #collageoutofthebox #collageoftheday #cutandpaste #cutandpastecollage #kolajmagazine #collagesociety #collageartists #arizonacollagecollective #collagetheotherfineart #collagethebard #pariscollageclub #pariscollagecollective #twincitiescollagecollective #absurdist_collageclub #contemporarycollagemagazine #collagewave #mermaid #mermaidart #mermaidcore #renaissance #birthofvenus #siliconetail #mermaidtail

the world is your collage oyster 🦪 #collage #collageartist #analogcollage #papercollage #thrifting #artprocess

Feast your eyes on Bacchus de Bordeaux! 🍇 This is actually only the second of my irregularly shaped collages (the red wallpaper is only present in frame). Bacchus, or Dionysus, is the god of wine and festivities. I made this piece for a wine label design contest for @lgbtq_museum last month. Amongst so many stellar submissions, my piece was not chosen, but I had the utmost merriment crafting it 🍷 I was inspired by kitschy Italian restaurant aesthetics, classical motifs, and luscious still lifes with dangling bunches of grapes. The interesting shape lends itself to me creating it with the intention of it being a printed sticker as a label on a bottle of wine (something I still would love if any winery sees this!). As always prints are available at my INPRNT shop linked in bio — perfect for above your wine cabinet at home ;) 10” x 16” #collage #collages #collageart #analogcollage #analogcollageart #papercollage #collageonpaper #collageoutofthebox #collageoftheday #cutandpaste #cutandpastecollage #kolajmagazine #collagesociety #collageartists #arizonacollagecollective #collagetheotherfineart #collagethebard #pariscollageclub #pariscollagecollective #twincitiescollagecollective #absurdist_collageclub #contemporarycollagemagazine #collagewave #dionysus #classicalart #renaissanceart #bacchus #wine #winetasting #winelover

My piece, Beauty and the Underneath, has placed as runner-up in @theantimisogynyclub gallery launch competition!💙🩵💙 The online UK-based gallery seeks submissions from feminist-forward art, so I’m very happy that my Beauty can live on in their gallery among all of the other inspiring selections. Please go check out the full gallery, winner, and other runners-up through the link in their bio! #collage #collageart #collageartist #collageartwork #analogcollage #analogcollagecommune #feministart #feministartist #antimisogyny #artcontest #artgallery #opencall #roevwade #roevwadeoverturned #collagework #collageoftheday #collageonpaper #papercollage #cutandpastecollage #kolajmagazine #collagesociety #collageartists #arizonacollagecollective #collagetheotherfineart #collagethebard #pariscollageclub #pariscollagecollective #twincitiescollagecollective #absurdist_collageclub #contemporarycollagemagazine

𝐒𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚 🌺 this is a piece I made at the end of last year for a follower who has retired in Mexico, and wanted something to reflect the lush vibrant culture 🇲🇽 💛 it now being summer, I thought it a good time to finally share it. It’s a 3D analog collage, framed in a distressed salmon pink wooden frame. I wanted to include lots of flowers, tropical motifs, and bright colours indicative of a home well lived in with a Frieda Kahlo vibe. It’s a peaceful, yet invigorating scene, of a figure relaxing on her bed, gazing out into the calm paradise in the landscape beyond. 8” x 10” #collage #collages #collageart #analogcollage #analogcollageart #papercollage #collageonpaper #collageoutofthebox #collageoftheday #cutandpaste #cutandpastecollage #kolajmagazine #collagesociety #collageartists #arizonacollagecollective #collagetheotherfineart #collagethebard #pariscollageclub #pariscollagecollective #twincitiescollagecollective #absurdist_collageclub #contemporarycollagemagazine #collagewave #mexico #3dcollage #mexicanart #friedakahlo

isnt that sweet, i guess so ☕️ unearthing my old coffee collages since the perfect song dropped 🤎 #espresso #collage #collageart #sabrinacarpenter #coffeetok #artprocess #analogcollage #collageartist #papercollage #mixedmediacollageartist #mixedmedia #collageartwork #collagecollective #artinspo #coffeeshop

Swim free, Toki, finally. 🩵 Tokitae 17” x 23” analog collage I hope you guys like this piece🫶🏻 Tokitae was an orca that was captured from her home in the Salish Sea and stolen from her family as a baby in August 1970. She lived in a tiny pool in Miami, away from any member of her species, for over 50 years. Plans were finally made to take Toki back to her natal waters and let her live the rest of her life in a sea pen. Tragically, Toki died last August, mere months before she was to be set free. This piece is something that I’ve been wanting to make ever since I heard the news of her devastating passing last summer. I’m glad I could free her in an artistic way, even if it was too late in reality. May her spirit rest easy and enlivened among the waves of the Salish Sea. 🐳From now until the one year anniversary of her death (18 August 2024), I will be donating 50% of my profits from Toki’s prints to The Whale Sanctuary Project @whalesanctuaryproject — a nonprofit organization dedicated to freeing captive whales like Tokitae, and rehoming them in a natural sea pen. She deserved so much more, but there are still dozens others that need liberation. 🐳 #collageart #tokitae #toki #tokitaeorca #orca #thewhalesanctuaryproject #freethewhales #seaworld #seaquarium #art #collage #animalactivist #lolitaorca #marinelife #oceantok #artprocess #whatwasimadefor #analogcollage #collageartwork #collageartist #collagework #collageonpaper #papercollage #analogcollagecommune #analogcollageart #analogcollagecommunity #pariscollagecollective #contemporarycollage

As International Women’s Day approaches, along with ever-worsening global events, I thought it a good time to re-share one of my more important works: Beauty and the Underneath I usually don’t create collages with a specific message, but this piece largely speaks for women’s rights and the right to have bodily autonomy. There’s a dichotomy between the dreamy upper scene and the brutalist bottom third. My piece celebrates maternal love, feminine community, and right to choose parenthood. Meanwhile, the Underneath depicts the historical injustices of the patriarchal system, punished for their failure in protecting women’s rights. This piece is not meant to be a utopia, but rather a look into how centuries of oppression can manifest into rage, and how easily the tables can turn. It’s both pleasant and distressing to look at, as I wanted Beauty and the Underneath to prompt conversations within the viewer. Sharing as both a response to @pariscollagecollective Women’s Day Open Call and the @delphiangallery Open Call 💗✨ #pccwomensday2024 #delphianopencall #pariscollagecollective #delphiangallery #collage #collages #collageart #analogcollage #analogcollageart #papercollage #collageonpaper #collageoutofthebox #collageoftheday #cutandpaste #cutandpastecollage #kolajmagazine #collagesociety #collageartists #arizonacollagecollective #collagetheotherfineart #collagethebard #pariscollageclub #pariscollagecollective #twincitiescollagecollective #absurdist_collageclub #contemporarycollagemagazine #collagewave

@iseleylaura

Now On View

Kolaj Institute Gallery

2374 Saint Claude Avenue, Suite 230, New Orleans, LA 70117

“Big Orange Monster”

Hath No Fury

10 September -18 October 2025

Art Lab at William King Museum of Art

415 Academy Drive, Abingdon, VA 24210

“ Dark Arts 2025: The Reckoning, Yet another Halloween Art Exhibit ”

Vampire

22 September - 7 November 2025

Awita Gallery at Awita New York Studio

274 S. 2nd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211

“Art in the Time of…” presented by IAA-USA.org

Beauty and the Underneath

2 October 2025 - 6 October 2025

collage commissions

Hi there! And thank you so much for your interest in a custom collage by me. Please fill out this form so that I can get you a project quote. I can’t wait to bring your vision to life. :-)