When I tell people I'm an "eco-friendly" artist, they usually glare back at me with a puzzled look on their face. "What does that mean?" they might ask. Well, there are many ways to be an eco-friendly artist. Some artists focus on using "green" paints and mediums, eco-friendly canvas, or biodegradable writing implements. These are all great ways to help save the environment, but my methods are a bit different. I use found objects to create assemblages.
Eco-friendly Assemblage: Main Steps
- Choose a theme (shiny jewelry, rusty hardware, etc.)
- Look for objects in your junk drawer, at yard sales, flea markets, and estate sales.
- Find and prepare a solid backing
- Arrange the found objects
- Glue objects to the backing
- Hang it up and enjoy!
Eco-friendly Artist: My Story
This passion began when I was a little kid, growing up in a small town in New Jersey.
My grandfather, a roofer by trade, also made decorative lamps, menorahs, and other sculptures using metal scraps. He found his supplies at the local flea market. We would wander though “Junker’s alley”, where people would bring all sorts of items from home and hope to sell it, to make a few extra bucks.
It seemed my grandfather had a “sixth sense” for picking through a box of junk, and finding some cool piece of scrap metal. He would bring his treasures back to his workshop, and magically turn them into a beautiful work of art. I would spend endless hours hanging out with him, looking through his endless supply of decorative metal objects he had collected over the years, and watching him work.
So for me, spending time at yard sales and flea markets is a journey back in time. I can almost feel my grandfather’s presence there with me, guiding me towards the good stuff. I collect rusty metal washers, old nails, broken jewelry, and just about anything I think might work in one of my assemblages. I can spend hours sorting through a box of junk, looking for just the right piece.
Eco-friendly Canvas is Part of the Deal
I also look for items to use as a backing. Traditional canvas is too soft for the heavy metal, so I seek out scraps of wood, plastic box frames, or scrap pieces of plexiglass. I prepare the surface by covering it with scraps of paper, sewing patterns, or simply sand the wood to make it smooth. After the backing is prepared, I begin arranging the objects.
Its a good idea to choose a theme when creating a piece. For example, use broken jewelry and other shiny objects, or choose rusty washers and other pieces of metal.
I usually begin with the larger pieces, and then fill in the spaces with smaller objects. I glue each piece using Weld Bond glue, which is very thick and strong, but easy to apply with a very small paintbrush. Sometimes I add inspirational words which I create using clay and rubber stamps, and then paint them. Click here to learn how to make the clay tiles.
Eco-friendly Art is Rewarding
It takes lots of patience to make one of these assemblages, but you will feel a great sense of accomplishment when you've completed your piece, because you know you have turned a bunch of random objects that might have ended up in the landfill, into something beautiful. I think my grandfather would be proud.
Lori Krein - Lori Krein is a member of team VolunteerSpot . She works to improve the volunteer experience of everyday heroes -- active community ...
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