Are there any other "green" Artists out there??

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Permalink Reply by Nico Daswani on September 14, 2010 at 8:53pm

posting your images Mark:

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Permalink Reply by Wayne Harjula on September 15, 2010 at 9:12pm

What materials do you utilize and "upcycle" into your art?
Glass electronics and found objects
Do you refer to yourself as simply an Artist or as the "green" Artist?
Artist, if the term 'green' artist helps my 'pipe dream philanthropic quest' then I'll use it.
Do you work using these methods specifically because it's eco-friendly?
Always, I make an effort not to harm myself or others using harmful or toxic processes and I get embarrassed when a customer or children see me wearing a gas mask which would draw attention to a perceived threat, but often it is just keeping silica dust from my lungs while vacuuming the floor.
How long have you been doing so, what strides have you made and goals?
I have been using this method since 1992
I can anneal glass which comes from different sources and melt unusual types of glass to a stable and pleasing effect.
It has been my goal to continue glass blowing despite the inherent costs involved and use the local materials available to me without frustration from less quality or trying to match industry standards for perfection with clear glass.

Do you find the public thinks it is of "lesser quality" because it is reused?  
Yes.
It's an educational hurdle, but any trip to the museum archives or old folk art will illustrate ingenuity with what is available locally, poorer countries also teach us innovation with found materials although the ecology may be just the fact the material hasn't traveled great distances to the creator.
I use the latest reliable LED's (light emitting diodes) and compact fluorescent lights in my work, the only reason they are affordable is mass production with cheap labour, so we feel good our power consumption is down while suffering/pollution/strip mining/war for minerals may be happening somewhere else out of sight.
I can only say I live in a 'minefield of social conscience' to achieve my art, being aware and talking about material usage is a good first step.
My glass furnace fuel expense per year is about the same as one daily car commuter traveling 30 miles to and from work per year.
I would like to see less commuters and more home based glass blowers in the world like me.
There is often an instinctive negative reaction to reused materials and I didn't advertise my recycling until 3 years ago, I feel the younger generation has no problem with reused materials in art.

I'm enjoying seeing your fantastic innovations in corrugated card, thank you.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Langan on September 27, 2010 at 10:02am

Sorry for the late response to your replies Wayne. Thanks so much for taking the time to answer the questions I outlined...very nice of you to do so. I would not have fathomed the ways you can upcycle into your art...very cool. Having seen your art I must say again, fantastic! What you as a glass blower do is sort of "magic" to someone like me. I am in awe some days of the public's perception in my finding too that recycled translates into something that is not of good quality. From the visual side of things when I cut boxes using the razor knife everything is as crisp and clean as can be. As with your art I wouldn't think there would be no visible means to identify it potentially being reused? I too don't promote or boast about being "green" but it does have its advantages from times to make that definitive statement. I like working with the medium and will continue to do as it pleases me regardless of opinions.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Langan on September 27, 2010 at 10:35am

Wayne,

One thing before I leave off here. I mentioned to Marie (below) PechaKucha event I presented in Cleveland this past Friday. Your art is so visually cool that as a PowerPoint display I cannot see any otherwise that a crowd for one of these types of events would not truly dig it. These PK venues held "world-wide" and at various cities and more than likely somewhere near you. This goes for any Artist either listed here or just simply reading. Check it out as really a great way to market your art and promote yourself. It does mean though speaking to a large group but if you're passionate about what you do, and you obviously personally know what your talking about it, it would be a breeze for you. Got to run and get back to work!

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Permalink Reply by Marie Kazalia on September 16, 2010 at 7:47am

Hi Mark
I use often use found materials in my art practice but not exclusively. I also use tea staining and natural dyes.

I am interested in your work for my blog. I have the subheading "Green Resources" on my blog for artists: Artist Marketing Resources
http://ArtistMarketingSalon.wordpress.com
All artists are welcome to use the resources there to expand their art career.

If you have an article about yourself/your art practice w/pics, then I would like it for my blog. Or if you would like to write one
let me know. Email me: mariekazzaz@embarqmail.com
Marie Kazalia

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Permalink Reply by Mark Langan on September 27, 2010 at 10:27am

Hi Marie,

Thanks for taking the time to write. I am a huge fan of the abstract & just love the art you create. Bravo! I see you are from my area too (Akron). There's quite a large number of creative people in North East, Ohio and you cannot help to be proud. Sure...I'd take you up on a blog in the future, very much appreciated. I'll get back to you in the near future. This week a little crazy, Spouse in Chicago and me left running the household. Arghhhh!

Did you happen to travel to Cleveland at all this past weekend? I did something which was the un-norm for me. I was honored to be a presenter for the PechaKucha Cleveland event sponsored by Ingenuity Festival. If you are not familiar with, PowerPoint of 20 Images set at 20 seconds to a crowd of about 300 or more. Literally thousands milling about that evening under the road deck in the old trolley line of the Detroit-Superior Bridge. A cool place to have a presentation. I had the nerves beforehand but once I got started I made it thru with flying colors. Not used to public speaking w/ such a large group but they applauded what I was doing.

Reasons I mention are that if this is something you might consider ever doing let me know. Not that I can promise anything but I do have a contact now having been a part of this now and I can put you in touch with them. I think the guys that run the Cleveland chapter would really dig what you are doing. There were to other presenters this past Friday that based their presentations on sustainability, one of those an artist like myself. Let me know what you think? Again, thanks for the feedback and we can hook up by email later. Take care!

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Permalink Reply by Allie M on September 16, 2010 at 8:35am

Hi Mark,
I have to say I'm a big fan of your art, I was totally amazed at your skill and methods when I saw it featured earlier on Create Culture. I wish you much success.
I'm an aspiring fashion designer, and I've been designing mostly handbags and a little bit of clothing using upcycled textiles for the last couple of years - I repurpose secondhand clothing, curtains, table clothes, belts, buttons, zippers.
Since I'm applying to fashion design schools now, I've been working on more 2D art, drawing & painting, and it's much harder to find ways to be sustainable when shopping for art supplies. I do look for recycled paper sketch pads, I reuse things like envelopes and packaging, and I try to buy higher quality pencils & things that can be refilled, so I don't have to buy and replace cheaper materials.
I refer to myself as an artist or designer, usually "an indie fashion designer". I think especially for fashion, "indie" or independent is a nice big umbrella under which you can put all kinds of non-mainstream things, like sustainability, plus sizes, avant garde, non-corporate, ...
I do go to great lengths to save and repurpose anything I think I can use. I am really frustrated and feel guilty when I have to buy new materials, and particularly with sewing supplies, eco usually means cost-prohibitive, but it's hard to repurpose thread! Although I know fashion designers who are far more eco-friendly than I am.
I have been upcycling and making some of my own clothes for over 10 years, but as a side job, I've had an Etsy shop running for almost 2 years. My design aesthetic has definitely evolved, and so has my marketing.
I do think that most consumers and art patrons still devalue things they perceive as "home-made", recycled, "crafty" etc. People are still very much attached to the "status" that comes from buying new, when it comes to fashion or home decor, and I think arts appreciation is all over the map - some people are very traditional, some are more impressed with art that uses latest technology, and most still look at upcycled art as folk art and therefore less skilled, less valuable. In fashion, it's quite a debate lately, whether it should even be referred to as "green" or "eco" fashion specifically. I find that companies who do use eco-friendly textiles are producing mainly t-shirts and yoga wear, which is fine, but there's no reason they couldn't also produce career wear or evening dresses.
I think in fashion or in other art, you have to project your message or your aesthetic first and foremost, and the materials should not take away from the quality of your work - patrons should be blown away that it is made from repurposed cardboard or tablecloths or whatever. It's an added bonus, so to speak, not the main point of the work.
See some of my upcycled tote bags here, and this is an example of one of my early handbags.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Langan on September 27, 2010 at 9:40am

Great to hear from you Allie, much appreciated. It's so wonderful to know that you make such efforts to reuse. In my own work it has inspired me to gravitate and implement good practices of not being wasteful. Now from a "guys" point of view I think the work you have shown here is great. Something I'll have to make a point to show my Spouse when she returns later this week on business. I was surprised also about a bag specifically to carry vinyl in. These days the technology of digital music is ever so commonplace. I've collected vinyl records over three decades and have refused to give them up. My collection approaching nearly 1000 and it's nice to see that I'm not that "over the hill" yet. I agree whole heartily that most have the conception that reused/recycled or whatever we'll call it these days carries a lesser than image. It's enlightening to learn that eco-friendly practices aside from the use of natural cottons and so on are being practiced. I do the same as well when it comes to paper. There's a business in my neighborhood that carries all sorts of card stock, paper, end of press rolls and the likes. These I assume are acquired from various sources such as the left over runs from printers. I find some tremendous deals thru them. Thanks agian and best wishes to you in your schooling.

Mark

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Permalink Reply by Georgina Maxwell on September 16, 2010 at 10:34am

Hi Mark,
I reuse marine plastics found on the shorelines of Cornwall. U.K. I refer to myself as an eco-artist, art-activist etc. My art practice focuses on the plight of marine life due to plastic pollution. I have been working with these materials for the last 11 years. I'm not sure about the last question, I think that the clients who buy my work are 'green' people, and environmentally aware, so they see my work as an important statement. There are people within the art world who also consider my practice very interesting and worthwhile. However, because the artworks aren't paintings (which I used to do) and more conceptual I find that I sell most of my work to an audience who are from London and are related to art in some form themselves. If you want to view my work please go to www.georginamaxwell.com

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Permalink Reply by Mark Langan on September 27, 2010 at 9:24am

Hi Georgina,

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond and share on this post. I encourage all who happen to read this to please visit Georgina's site. I am very impressed with your art, great use of plastic waste turning it into something so beautiful and purposeful. I simply love the compositions!

Mark

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Permalink Reply by Georgina Maxwell on September 28, 2010 at 5:52am

Hi Mark

Thank you so much for your comments on here and on my website...it's always a boost when someone appreciates our work as it comes from our heart and soul.

Rather preoccupied with sadly, decluttering my studio, unfortunately the plastics I have kept for the last ten years will have to go to landfill as they are non-recyclable! and will affect the water tables beneath the soil! agrhhh! a necessary evil...but I have to do this in order to create more work.

Anyway, we all must keep doing what we're doing to give our lives purpose and meaning.

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Permalink Reply by Sam Perry on December 12, 2010 at 1:44pm

Materials: I enjoy finding nice frames and painting inside of them, but I mostly reuse everything when creating.

I don't refer to myself as a green artist because I am sure that there are green artists that are far more commited to the principle than I am.

I work using green methods because it is eco-friendly but also because the medium is the message. It says a lot when reflecting on my own past or on past events to use recycled materials. It speaks the message "Your damaged goods can create something beautiful."

I've been creating green art since 2007but am becoming more intentional about the craft now. I am exhibiting a show using all recycled materials in April 2011 as part of the Geek Arts/Green Innovators Arts Festival in Pittsburgh, PA.

I find that the only reason the public may find it of lesser quality is if it is done in a kitschy, low brow way. When done well, it's better than the norm.

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