Potential

One of my favorite things about art is its ability to take the simple, overlooked elements of life and make them beautiful. Art can make us look at objects and people in a new way; it forces us to not only see the objects, but also their potential.

Any person who has spent any amount of time as a teacher knows the things we do to provide for our students. Our creative nature comes alive as we see potential teaching opportunities in someone else’s trash. I’ve always told friends who collect stuff for me that if they think it can be used in any way just send it over to me and I’ll figure it out. That has led to some really fun projects!

Here are a few items that I have started to collect that have really fueled my imagination.

Produce Bags

These produce bags have so much potential! I’m thinking weaving, collages, perhaps these clown wigs would be great fun.

Meat Trays

Styrofoam trays are a great, low cost printmaking option. I used to keep a box of these cut up at my printmaking center for the kids. Tip: After you cut the plates to the size you prefer, keep the scraps for the kids to practice on. It will help them get a good idea of the amount of pressure they need to use before they destroy their work. 

Easter Eggs

I received an entire box of plastic Easter eggs for CRAFT! I can totally see something awesome like this happening:

 

Hope you are able to find some amazing potential art works this week!

Motivation Monday!

Its the first day of the week… a day we dread all weekend long: Monday. Here at CRAFT in DC we are going to bring you a snippet of inspiration to start off your week on the right foot. I hope these inspire your creativity and motivate you!

Yesterday, I learned about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Have you heard of this? Its nearly an island of garbage that is created by circular ocean currents. It drags in all of the debris and the trash accumulates in the middle of the vortex. Most of this garbage in not biodegradable, causing it to continue to build up. Lots of organizations are trying to draw attention to this problem and even some artists are getting involved.

Check out the Anchorage Museum’s exhibit entitled Gyre: The Plastic Ocean. Artists created artworks using trash found on beaches around the world. This is creative reuse at its best!

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.’ -Margaret Mead