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What does Eco-friendly Art really mean?, 5-main-objectives-of-an-eco-artist
What does Eco-friendly Art really mean?19-Jul-2017 20:01
Eco-friendly has become a buzz word that gets used so often across all sorts of products and services. Without a full explanation into the claim it's easy to be mislead.
If you see artists claiming to be eco-friendly you might want to delve a little deeper to ensure they're not just greenwashing. A beautiful landscape painted using toxic paints by an artists that flies all over the world to paint is far from eco-friendly - even though they paint nature!
Should art even be eco-friendly? I don't see why not - I know most of you try to buy green and responsibly, try to live in an environmentally friendly way. So why not expect that from the art you hand on your walls?
Below is a list of what eco-friendly art means to me and how it has influenced my creative processes, as well as my everyday life.
1. Create thought provoking pieces
When I say thought provoking that's not only for you the viewer, it's also for me as an eco advocate.
When I choose a theme for a collection, as well as the subject being in need of attention, I also put a lot of thought into what materials I will use.
It normally starts with something that I have a lot of that's on it's way to the rubbish bin. My first thought is how can I reduce this rubbish? Is there a way I can reuse it myself, maybe as compost for the garden or storage vessels in the kitchen? Do I really need the item in the first place? Is there a way I can make it myself therefore cutting down on packaging rubbish?
Next comes experimentation. With each new material (aka item of rubbish) I have to learn it's properties, how will it react to being painted on, or heated, or cut and folded? Does it have longevity? Is it the best thing to use to create the finished piece, as in is it creating a beautiful piece of finished artwork?
2. Use eco friendly materials
I mean, what's the point of being an eco artist and then painting or sculpting pieces that add to the destruction of nature?
But that can put me at a disadvantage when viewed alongside other artists. By using non conventional materials in my art I create a lot of extra work for myself in research and experimentation. Not to mention the differences between my collections because of the wide variety of materials used.
It can also challenge the viewer to the point of being beyond their comfort zone - the In My Backyard series of watercolour paintings on handmade tea bag paper with vintage fabrics and slow stitch comes ready to hang using hemp cord and sticks. I realise a lot of collectors feel uncomfortable with this way of display. And although the pieces can be framed conventionally, I think the best way to view them to really appreciate the finer details is how I present them.
3. Send out positive energy to the world
I one hundred percent believe in the power of positive thought. When creating my pieces I enter a meditative zone where I feel happy and relaxed and at one with the world, you've probably heard other artists talk about being in this ‘zone'. To expand this to all things I've created a personal technique of intention where I project these positive feelings out to my subject, and to nature in general. It's based on the work of Lynne McTaggart of The Intention Experiment.
4. Create art that lifts spirits and inspires people to action
Being an empath means I pick up on others' feelings, including the pain that nature is now feeling from human abuse. It can be a very draining and damaging place to be so I try, through my art, to create uplifting, beautiful pieces full of positive energy.
I believe that by doing this for myself it will also create pieces that you'll love to hang on your walls, share with your friends and talk about. Thus keeping the subject in your mind and inspiring you to keep taking action to help preserve the natural world.
5. Follow an eco friendly lifestyle
This is a no brainer for me. Just as I research my materials of art to make sure they're as eco as possible, I also walk the walk in my lifestyle. Since building our earthship and moving into the wilds of southern Spain this has become a natural way of life for us now. You can see photos and read more about our eco home here.
Let's connect
I would love to hear your thoughts on the environment and any tips you may have for living a more eco-friendly life and/or creating eco-friendly art. Leave your comments below...
Hi Laura - I can really relate to your journey through your art inspiration - on a similar path
I read Lyne's book many years ago and also Julia Cameron's books - recently acquired The Organic Artist by Nick Nedd of and plan to experiment with making my own paper
This year I'm just playing with materials - otter is my animal totem
☺
Jan
That's brilliant Jan, were you a part of the Intention Experiments? Would be cool to know that we were both intending at the same time!!! L xx
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