So hey I bet you were wondering about this, so I thought I’d share what I do. There’s always room for improvement and I am always trying to be mindful of what I do with my work and how I create it.
You might like to know that my studio is about 80% solar-powered, with solar panels installed on our home, where my studio is, and it’s bright with natural light, so I rarely turn on the overhead lights during the day.
I do my best to be as mindful as I can when purchasing art & packing supplies, and also who I purchase them from. I like to support my local art supply store!
Some art materials just aren’t as eco-friendly as I’d like, but I do my best to choose supplies that are safe and non-toxic when possible and still give the results I want.
I save & reuse packaging materials from things I buy, such as styrofoam wrapping, tissue paper, cardboard boxes and backers, and reusable padded envelopes, and you might find your order packed in something that has be re-used. It might not be pretty but if we saved it from the landfill, high fives! I’m guilty of saying,”Oh that’s a good box!” and stash it away with all my other “good” boxes waiting to be reused, haha!
I also love to rescue art materials that might otherwise be thrown away, things like leftover cuts of wood, trimmed ends of mdf molding, cardboard chunks, anything I can re-use to create something with, I keep (hoard) & use in my work. You might notice some industrial marks or stamps in the back of your piece, I like to leave them in place as part of each piece’s providence. When I had my studio renovated, I raided the worker’s garbage pile for trim off-cuts and repurposed them into little arts- things like that make me so happy & I hope will for you too.
And I re-use things like small styro or yogurt containers, to use for paint or varnish trays or to store small bits & pieces or projects in.
Stickers are sourced from a local eco-friendly printer, and also another reputable Canadian printer.
And, sometimes I water my garden plants & shrubs with my used paint water if it’s safe to do so!
And finally, I do not & will not purchase anything from or support unethical organizations or anyone who promotes hate, violence, or any kind of discrimination or disinformation. End of.
If you have any concerns or questions, please do let me know and I’ll do my best to help! xo