Why Scraps?

It is not that I am an extensive enviormentalist, I am frugal, that is a part of it, but mostly, creative. If you see something that is useful but not being used, why not give it a purpose beyond its original one?

I could look at lots of things in this world that could improve under that view. Abandoned malls become housing, a vacant lot becomes a playground or farmer’s market… even retired police dogs and greyhounds become beloved pets. As I learn how to see and express what I am seeing, I paint… ALOT. The results of this practice, which I offer here to new homes, aim to make room for more and, in the process, complete the new life cycle of my found art supplies. I do purchase the occasional canvas or board, but I feel freer when I take something someone else has cast aside as useless. Whatever comes out of it is already beautiful. I sit with my bits and give them meaning. It feels like alchemy. –“Hey there, little bits of fibers – thank you for your sacrifice. You are not worthless! You, my friend, are art!” lol… and really, aren’t we all just little bits of life’s cast-offs waiting to become someone’s art?

Everything requires a little prep before I can paint on it. After cutting the larger pieces and saving as much material as possible, I’ll sand and prime everything. Once preparations are complete, I keep my blocks in a tote and, in batches, I draw, then paint, seal, and sign each item. I photograph and list them. I have an Etsy shop, and until I launched this site, I had been selling my little creations on Etsy.