One person's trash is another person's art - literally.

I'm an artist, so I spend time surfin' the 'net, looking at work by other artists. I love it. I love looking at what others have created from paint, canvas, glue, paper, metal, clay, cloth, whatever, and the kitchen sink. Like many other artists, it inspires me, intimidates me, and leaves me in awe more times than not. I love stumbling upon beautiful work made from non-traditional mediums. It's a level of creativity and originality that deeply moves me. 

In one of my recent strolls through the world wide web of visual delights most graciously provided by a world of artists I happened on the work of Nancy Martini, Eco Artist. Now, when you combine art + eco friendly, it's most certainly an A+ in my book. I particularly admired this piece ... 

    Be Thankful

   From the Collection: Lessons from the Dinner Table

Nancy calls her work "Upcycled Art". This collection explores societal relationships and environmental issues. Each piece is made form 95% reclaimed materials. Trash to art. We have way too much trash in this world but not nearly enough art ... not by a long shot.

In Nancy's words from an interview on her blog ...  

Nancy M: "Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials into new materials or products of better quality or higher environmental value. After being very frustrated by the amount of trash that Americans create, I realized that many of the materials in my recycle bin could be upcycled. I collected everyday food containers (soda bottles, plastic bags, plastic bottles, foil pie trays, etc.) and sorted them into jars of like objects. I didn't know what to do with them at first. I just stared at the huge piles collecting in my kitchen and thought a lot."

"In American we represent 5% of the world's population, however, we create 30% of the world's trash. If we were to fill a football stadium from the bottom to the top that is how much trash Americans create every day. I keep the image of 365 football stadiums in my mind all the time. I think upcycling is one of the ways that we can reduce our trash. Recycling should be considered as a last option before the trash bin. Recycling allows us to buy whatever we want and as much as we want because we can recycle it. Art is only one way to upcycle materials. All businesses could help the environment by rethinking the items in their recycle bin and seek opportunities to upcycle."


Nancy Martini's work impressed me. It 'speaks' to me in it's simplicity. It's elegant. It makes me want to go running into my own studio and paint and create from daylight 'til dark. I hope you wander over and visit her site, too. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I also hope it sparks you to thinking about what you have around your own house you can upcycle, recycle, or reuse.

Namaste', y'all ...
Carol