The recent issue (July/August 2008) of Art Calendar is focused on environmental issues. Like the rest of the world the art community is involved with sustainable art practices that have a positive impact on our planet whilst creating thought-provoking, beauty and wondrous art.
Today as I walked in the woods I reflected on "green" art. I will use the next few posts to write a bit about art and the environment
One of the thing artists can do (and have done in the past) is to use found objects in their work.
An Australian artist, John Dahlsen is a wonderful example of someone who is creating beauty from discarded object. Living on the Victorian coastline of Australian he uses found objects to create totems, landscapes and installations.
Frida Kahlo, Picasso, Louise Nevelson and Duchamp have all created amazing art from found objects.
In 1998 I painted "The Dishes Hadn't Been Done" on a metal tray that was rescued from the discard pile at a friends home. Using reclaimed materials lends itself to thinking outside the box. There is also an opportunity for more creativity as you have to work with an object already created not started from scratch.With the metal tray I had to contend with a round shape as well as the scallops along the edges. Although initially this is harder the art created can be more interesting than if you start with standard unused art paper, canvas, stretchers, etc.
Sorry for the sales pitch but like everything life is expensive and there are always bills to be paid. If you like my work and want to support my endeavors please consider purchasing a painting. I have just put up the painting, "A Silver Titter Stole my Baby" on Ebay. It is a painting I'm proud for artistically as well as socially. It is acrylic paint on organic cotton and hemp canvas. Please feel free to pass the link to friends and family members and if you are so inclined feel free to purchase this painting for yourself.
