We were lucky to catch up with Cameron Holly Dexter recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Cameron Holly, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The piece I’m most proud of is <i>Los Alamos</i>, a collage inspired by the horror of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. Using vintage newspaper clippings and real photos, I wanted to capture the aftermath—the unimaginable suffering, especially for women and children. One of the most striking images in the piece is of a young girl with ghostly white eyes, a tragic symbol of the innocent lives destroyed by the blast. I started working on <i>Los Alamos</i> in early 2023, but it felt especially significant to complete it only a couple months before the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a group of atomic bomb survivors, for their tireless efforts to create a nuclear-free world. The timing wasn’t planned, but it felt powerful, reinforcing the need to remember the atrocities of war and the importance of working toward peace. <i>Los Alamos</i> serves as a reminder we can’t forget the human cost of war, and we can’t let these memories fade no matter how many years pass.

Cameron Holly, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My journey into this craft really began during the pandemic. Before that, I worked in the film industry as a producer, but when COVID hit and I found myself stuck in my apartment in LA, everything shifted. On top of that, I was grieving the loss of my mother to breast cancer, which happened only weeks before the pandemic began.

In the midst of all this, I needed an outlet—something to help me process what I was feeling and to stay creative. That’s when I turned to collage. It felt like the perfect medium: I could take fragments of the past, broken pieces of paper, images from old magazines and newspapers, and transform them into something new. The process was therapeutic. It gave me a way to make sense of my emotions and the chaos around me. Slowly, it became more than just a coping mechanism—it became my passion.

I work in both traditional and digital collage, and what really sets my work apart is my love for maximalism. Collage is often thought of as a minimalist medium, but I’m all about pushing those boundaries. I love filling the space with vibrant layers—flowers, animals, rainbows, patterns, and a sense of wild abundance. The more I pack into a piece, the better. My goal is to create something that feels alive and immersive, where you can lose yourself in the details.

For me, collage is about much more than just putting pieces together. It’s a way to tell stories, confront difficult histories, and create something that’s beautiful in its complexity. Over time, I gained confidence in my art and started sharing it under the Instagram handle @feralcollage—a name that felt right for my aesthetic and captures the wild, untamed nature of my work.

I offer a variety of products including a newly released greeting card collection, giclée prints, and prints on metal, which give the artwork a modern, sleek finish. I’m also branching out into murals and street art, so stay tuned for more exciting projects coming soon!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being a collage artist for me is the process of weaving together fragments of stories and creating something entirely new. I love how each new piece brings its own set of possibilities and challenges. Every time I start a new collage, I’m exploring a whole world of different images, textures, and emotions. It’s like putting together a puzzle—except the pieces don’t always fit neatly, and that’s what makes it exciting. I get to experiment, take risks, and discover new layers of meaning with each composition. It’s a constant process of discovery, and there’s something incredibly satisfying about finding the right balance and seeing all those fragments come together into something that feels whole and unique.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

As an artist, I know that life is full of pivots—constant shifts and unexpected turns. What truly matters is how we respond to those changes, both in our work and in our lives. Over the years, I’ve learned that flexibility and openness are essential for growth. In my art, I’ve embraced the unknown, trusting the process and allowing myself to shift gears when necessary. The most rewarding moments often come from stepping into uncertainty, experimenting with new ideas, and facing our fears. I’ve discovered that growth doesn’t happen in comfort—it happens when we’re willing to adapt, reflect, and evolve, both in our craft and in how we approach the world around us.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.feralcollage.com
• Instagram: @feralcollage

Image Credits
My headshot was taken by Robert Dyck. All over images are mine. Thank you!