For the artist worrying about the impact of Zero Waste on art-making, I thought I would share a personal story.
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| Easter Fun by Bea Johnson |
For the artist worrying about the impact of Zero Waste on art-making, I thought I would share a personal story.
Five years ago, my artwork was showing in seven galleries at once. I had an inventory, hundreds of frames, dozens of unpainted canvases, gallons of paint, countless brushes, and loads of miscellaneous art materials stored in the studio. I was proud of my clientele and the recognition that my work was getting. But I also remember being frustrated at my lack of creativity.
We then moved, and as you already know, we let go of much of our belongings. It included evaluating those items related to art-making. I donated some to schools and friends, shared some through Craigslist, and brought some to Scrap (a reuse shop for artists).
What I found going thru that process, was not only an incredible sense of relief but also a significant gain in creativity, thus transforming my art-making.
As I let go of potential/unfinished projects and seldomly used materials, I let go of frustrations and expectations: I realized how much the art supplies had weighed on me awaiting to be used in some way, awaiting to become something better, something artful, something amazing, something that would overcome my fears and would exceed my abilities.
When we then adopted the Zero Waste lifestyle, I discovered that creativity need not be limited to the canvas, that opportunities to create abound all around us...
Through finding solutions to the logistical problems encountered on a daily basis on our road to Zero Waste (from finding a way to forgo the metal ties on my bulk bags to freezing bread without plastic), I unconsciously fed an insatiable need to create. In the studio, I turned hundreds of butter wrappers into lotus flowers for a piece, Leo painted over a large painting (his artwork is in our living room, as shown in a previous post), and Max is currently transforming a damaged canvas. Our yard, compost, or recycling have become our new source of materials. And since they keep recurring and are always on hand, the kids and I do not need to collect or store them, but simply reach for them when/where needed.
Just as "the clothes do not make the man", I believe that the art supplies do not make the artist. It is not a wealth of supplies that gave Van Gogh's work power, but rather his vision and execution. After all, "creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun" (Mary Lou Cook), none of it depends on supply inventory.
Today, my studio is bare, and my creativity on fire. I have come to learn that "stuff" does not boost creativity, it is rather the lack thereof, that has made me more creative. I realize that art and art-making are highly personal - and that my path towards Zero Waste diverge from others' at times, but I must say: I owe it to Zero Waste to have sparked "a lost" creative fuse in me.
To rethink our society's wasteful ways, Zero Waste needs your creative minds too. "Sometimes you gotta create what you want to be a part of" (Geri Weitzman).
Ahhh Yes! Finally a new post!
ReplyDeleteI had a similar revelation when I was talking to a friend that had gone vegetarian. In this example, restricting yourself to vegetables will actually increase the possibilities of what you can make because you find yourself exploring the options. If you can eat whatever you want, you will just make the same things over and over again.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this blog. I've tried for decades to declutter and reading this blog has been the first "aha" moment for me that has actually made a real difference.
Hello! I recently found your blog and have been mezmerized by your lifestyle and committment to it. I truly admire how you have chosen to live ... we have gone the same route but admitedly haven't quite gotten as far as you. I'm taking all your ideas and incorporating them into our home. I could read your posts over and over.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it fabulous when the clutter in our lives is gone and the creative bug is free to roam as far and wide as it can?! Good for you!
Sarah
I have not felt the painting bug in a while. I have 5 of my painting up right now though. I had a bunch of plastic bags from before we started using cloth bags and I used them to make my sons curtains. I cut out the words and sandwiched the remainder between parchment paper and ironed them. It creates a heavier "fabric". I like the look of it and I used mostly white, beige and green. It also used my creativity. - Stephanie
ReplyDeleteCool! :-)
ReplyDelete"Sometime's you gotta create what you want to be part of"-how true. The zero waste philosophy has completely redefined the way I live my life. We have created a whole new set of rules for the way we want to live. Slowly, a new, hugely simplified framework for running our family and going about our daily business has begun to emerge. Through zero waste we have found ourselves questioning every aspect of our lives. It is a challenging and very creative process to redesign one's life. Zero waste is different for everyone. Getting to zero waste in your home and your life means a whole different set of factors and logistics depending on where you live and what is available to you. The result is going to be the same regardless. When you come through the problem solving aspect of trying to redefine your life by the principles of zero waste in a world which has yet to wake up to sustainability, you realize that you have in fact redefined your place in the universe. Through the principles of zero waste one finds harmony and balance. When one is no longer opposing nature by engaging in selfish and greedy acts of consumption, waste and materialism one gets closer to what is true and good. Only when we are in tune with our environment can we be in tune with ourselves. Perhaps that is why I feel a renewed sense of purpose in every aspect of my life and have regained my focus in terms of where I want to go and where I would like to see my children headed. I feel less compromised on a creative level than I have felt in a long time.
ReplyDeleteCommitting to zero waste has fired up my creativity too! Being able to let go of most of my stuff took a huge burden off me that I didn't realize was there. That "none of it depends on supply inventory" has made me look for solutions where before I'd just buy some new junk to fill a need. My home isn't zero waste yet...but we're getting there -- with loads of inspiration from you, Bea. :D
ReplyDeleteI recently made a start with decorating cans :) So people can use it to place pencils in them or whatever they like :) It is only a first step for me, but I am going to look into more of this :) Also I re-use my art to make new things :)
ReplyDeleteI'm an artist with a fully stocked studio and really enjoyed this post as our family started incorporating so many of your ideas over the past few months. My studio has been on my mind a lot and how it will fit into our lifestyle. Thanks for the many suggestions for donating supplies. I have been giving some things to the Goodwill.
ReplyDeleteI agree and love the insight -- especially the bit about less stuff flames the fire of creativity. I grew up wealthy, and married and now am poor with my husband and two young kids. But I am SO much happier now, because I've learned to make things myself, stretch recipes, find deals, tailor suits (we're thrift store shoppers and my husband's 6'4" so I've had to learn to tailor fat man's suits to fit him :) ) I love your blog and the idea. You have inspired me to take a bag shopping, and not put produce in those little plastic ones, and compost more (which my pile's doing great). I'm so interested as to what recipes you do or quick snack ideas you do for your kids? Do you think you'll ever do a post about that?
ReplyDeleteI just love this post. We do often lay upon ourselves an expectation of creation that frustrates the way art breathes out of us. Art cannot be drawn out of us with materials and the more materials we start with, the more they each place an obligation on us to use them. For why else did we procure them but to be used?
ReplyDeleteArt should be profound. It should be an expression of what lies within, not just a demonstration of what we can do- a creation in and of itself.
It is the zero waste lifestyle which allows us to reach out for what can become a part of us when we create. If art is not a part of us, it is nothing in itself. We then consider it 'waste' in our minds even when we hold onto it for shame of 'wasting it' by getting rid of it.
Our lives should be an expression of ourselves- our lives should and can be a beautiful expression of art. Are you disposable? Are you waste?
It was amazing how much more lovely, carefree, and profound I feel as a person when I am living a waste-free lifesyle. And when I consider the ways in which I still bring waste and wasteful living habits into our lives I feel frustrated, confined, uncreative. Frankly, that part of my life feels like an imposition upon me, not at all an expression of myself, but rather an oppression of selfishnes and narrow-mindedness.
I am amazed at the limited acceptance of people around me. I am met with impatience, disdain, even anger in others when my choice to limit trash imposes even in a very small way upon their lives. But I am not mainstream anymore. I have stepped outside the conveyor belt and have started to create. I am living art and it feels fresh and renewable each day.
To those in my life who cannot see the beauty- who are focused more on convenience than quality of life, I invite you into my world of limitless artful expression.
Thank you Bea for inviting me into yours! It was a step into a sea of possibilities and joy I will never regret.
Thank you so much for writing this Bea! This is my heart. My family and I have been experiencing this reality this year - step by step - and the creativity and freedom that are BURSTING forth is amazing. I find myself being much more present and alive in each moment and filled with a greater, deeper love and appreciation for the people/ experiences/ materials that are right before me... Nothing stored away...materials, emotions, thoughts, perceived wants and needs...Nothing stored away. I am noticing that my practice of observing and listening is becoming more fine tuned. Observing. Listening. Joyfully Giving and Receiving. Accepting - with my WHOLE self. I am inspired by the courage that is shining through. Alot of "newness" in our family right now. Re-aligning ourselves with our true purpose and what that looks like in our unique family at this unique moment. Thank you Bea for sharing your experiences
ReplyDeleteYES!!!! Love these sort of posts. The majority of art work that I did with with students from pre-school to 6th grade was with recycled materials. I cannot tell you in words what transpired but this I must say, true learning comes from figuring things out on your own. When I tell a student that we are not using glue or tape, their brains start to work on how to get two objects to stick together.
ReplyDeleteYAY! A new post. I look forward to your new posts. It helps get me back on track again! Well said Bea!
ReplyDeleteBea, I've been inspired in so many ways by your blog and have put into place so much already. Checking in and reading your blog keeps me from getting discouraged and gets me moving along!
ReplyDeleteI have a shelf in my basement FULL of painting and drawing supplies that are neatly tucked away, yet collecting dust (even holding onto supplies I had when I was in college 15 years ago), waiting to be used. I'm inspired to let go of these things and end my creative paralyses!
Thank you again for helping me move forward and up!
Bea, this was a lovely post and really made me feel a bit differently about the "creative life".
ReplyDeleteI also wanted to say that that is a beautiful painting!
Not being an artist I didnt have art supplies that need released to a better life but i did have several years worth of craft supplies and partially finished projects that needed to be de-cluttered. Part of them I gave to my sister who will get them used way sooner that i would have and the rest were donated to charities,sunday school progams etc. It is amazing the relief of not having those itmes weighing me down physically, emotionally and psychologically. Now i am free to create what ever, when ever with out the guilt of unfinished projects hanging around.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bea! And others that take the time to post and share your journey with us all :)
P.S. since mid March, through refusing, recycling and composting we have reduced our waste from a 90 gallon trash can full plus some very week to........the trash company will take the trash can away at the end of this month.
Well said, and thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAlong similar lines, I remember hearing about a group of filmmakers who had committed themselves to a set of (six?) rather restrictive rules regarding their filmmaking, and (if I remember correctly), many of them were winning awards for their films. I really, really wish I could remember what they called themselves, because I think their rules could be relevant here as well... Anyone know?
What a fun conversation. I've been doing a lot of thinking recently on zero waste and life in general. I've re-studied Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow's_hierarchy_of_needs ) in the process and I've made an interesting connection between this post and his insights.
ReplyDeleteIt's the Self-actualization level, which encompasses morality, spontaneity and creativity, that we strive for; however, we stumble when the lower needs, physiological, safety, esteem, aren't met. I think when we worry about the economy, or feel a lack of love, or are unsure of our esteem, it is too easy to hang on to "things" as a substitute, rather than stepping back and thinking "what am I really worried about?" or "how is this or that affecting me?"
Although I've had a semester off, the first in a few years after returning to teaching part-time, rather than being creative I felt stifled as I tried to adapt to the extra time and the decrease in extra cash. This blog has helped me ask the questions and step back out of the rut. Being able to point to the concerns and being able to take action in a positive way has been very invigorating.
Thanks! JulieB
Excellent post, Bea - very uplifting and inspiring. And "Easter Fun" is amazing - I thought it was a photograph at first!
ReplyDeleteI am a big fan of this blog and I appreciate this post, but I have two concerns about the role of decluttering in the zero waste lifestyle, especially as it concerns artists and class.
ReplyDeleteOne is that I know three artists and one writer who benefit from having lots of clutter around. For them, objects and books and pictures and so on represent concretions of inspiration. I love exploring their cluttered environments and I'm convinced their surroundings contribute to their creativity. This is not to say that I'm against artists who embrace a minimal waste lifestyle or methodology; I just don't know any personally.
Second, and more importantly, I think the current popularity of decluttering as a mode of psychological or emotional unburdening is heavily inflected by class. I live in a spartan and stylish apartment, but my job requires me to enter the homes of the urban poor. For the most part, their homes are full of clutter. I should say that these are not pathological hoarders as represented on the popular reality TV series, nor are they the romanticized poor of the US depression era who live simple lives using all of their meager resources. These are urban poor, mainly immigrants, who fill their homes with cheap and inexpensive things for two main reasons I think: one is for the affordable joy they bring and two is because these people cannot afford to buy the very best of anything. They buy or find multiples of things because they cannot be sure if they will have enough of anything. I think this leads them to also have things that one might consider non-functional in their houses.
I realize that I can live simply in spartan chic surrounds because I have the privilege to do so. I know that if something breaks, I can replace it or afford to have it fixed. I can shop at whole foods or the farmers market in my upper middle class neighborhood. And so on. I think you get the point.
All of this is to say that, while I am glad many of your readers are decluttering and feeling good about it, I would urge us all to realize that, in many cases, our ability to declutter our homes with positive emotional results is a function of our class standing. As someone who works with and for the poor, I feel a little ambivalent about zero-waste and its bearing on the lower classes. Certainly, zero waste benefits the planet, and hence everybody, but I'd like to find a way to talk about and promote zero waste in a practical way that takes the lower social classes into consideration. By way of ending, I should say I do not purport to speak for the poor, but working with disadvantaged folks makes me very aware of how certain zero waste choices could potentially be classist ones.
keep up the good work,
EVC
After this post I did the same thing with my piano sheet music. I am only a beginning pianist but I was holding on to sheet music way beyond my capability. I got rid of everything that was either way too hard, way too easy, or music I was not interested in playing. Now I don't have pressure to become good enough to play those pieces and I can enjoy playing pieces that are on my level. Thanks for an awesome post. I am still not ready to get rid of my art supplies but maybe in time I will be ready to part with them. Thanks for an awesome post.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed that decluttering and trying to live waste free has sparked my creative side which was hibernating. I've broken out projects that need finished and found solutions to challenges of reducing waste without buying from bulk bins. It's been very rewarding!
ReplyDelete@ EVC,
I have to disagree that the zero waste things here are presented as classist. I am far from being wealthy and a lot closer to those with which you work. I've been finding that everything suggested here has benefited my family and saved us money.
Also, decluttering has removed a lot of emotional and mental waste. It's been an amazing journey and has helped us to live more within our means, healthier, and happier. We don't try to have the nicest things, but just what meets our needs.
I have found decluttering has allowed me to follow my creative urge (writing) by providing more time (less housekeeping), but more importantly by removing all the angst of unread gift books and unused journals. I would love to see a further discussion of zero waste lifestyle as a classist pursuit. Having taught in a poor community for 25 years I noted that often poor families made unwise purchases for their children based on what they believed a middle class family had. From this perspective it is important for us to create a new zero waste class that includes everyone.
ReplyDeleteI think that we just saw one of your works of art on a kitchen tour in Lafayette. Did you do a paining on a refrigerator for a home with a French themed kitchen? It was great!
ReplyDelete"When we then adopted the Zero Waste lifestyle, I discovered that creativity need not be limited to the canvas, that opportunities to create abound all around us."
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said. I'm a writer. It's nice to read an artist articulate her journey of reducing! Best of luck.
I love this post. I have an art studio as well and have had NO inspiration. I decided to get rid of much of my supplies etc and the creativity came back! Thanks for inspiring all of us!
ReplyDeleteIn response to the idea that zero waste is classist... I've often wondered if I would be able to make zero waste work if I were low income, since it does often necessitate shopping at high end stores and farmers markets, which are not the cheapest places to shop. The average food stamp benefit is about $50 per person. As an exercise, why not try to do a weeks worth of shopping with $50(per person) and zero waste. Can you do it?
ReplyDeleteOf course everybody can do it. In a previous post Bea said she spends $700 per months for 4. That is also my average for a family of 4. It is less than $50 per week per person and it includes everything: breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner. I also live in the bay area where the cost of living is expensive otherwise it would be even cheaper.
ReplyDeleteIn response to zero waste being classist:
ReplyDeleteMy family is low-income, receives food-stamps, lives in a single wide mobile home in a rural area, and implements many of Bea's suggestions. We are able to live healthier and happier now. I cannot shop at high-end stores since there are none available. Even though I cannot buy from bulk bins, I do refuse a lot of plastic waste and make better shopping decisions.
I buy real natural foods and make our meals from scratch (most of the time), gave up our dryer, make all of our cleaners, and use castile for shampoo and body wash. While we haven't transitioned to everything here, we are on the journey to do so and look forward to adding more of the ideas.
Zero waste has actually saved us money! It is not classist, but one of the most beneficial ideas for the poor that I've ever seen. Also, it is not just about food (as the food stamp comment suggested) but about the entire lifestyle.
As a mosaic artist I feel that sometimes I am inspired by the supplies. A beautiful broken dish becomes a bird bath etc. Also, I think it is important to have a variety of material so if I have an inspiration, I have the materials to make it a reality. I am also a painter and I think having paint on hand is important to keep creativity going. If I have an inspiration to paint, I can immediately get started. On the other hand, I also have a lot of art supplies related to media I was experimenting with, but never really got into. It is now time to let go of them so other people can enjoy. It is all about balance.
ReplyDeleteEVC wrote:" These are urban poor, mainly immigrants, who fill their homes with cheap and inexpensive things for two main reasons I think: one is for the affordable joy they bring and two is because these people cannot afford to buy the very best of anything. They buy or find multiples of things because they cannot be sure if they will have enough of anything. I think this leads them to also have things that one might consider non-functional in their houses.
ReplyDelete...
Certainly, zero waste benefits the planet, and hence everybody, but I'd like to find a way to talk about and promote zero waste in a practical way that takes the lower social classes into consideration. By way of ending, I should say I do not purport to speak for the poor"
I think these are very interesting insights. I agree that we can't make generalizations for everyone, but I think EVC has targeted a truth for some people. If a consumer fears that (s)he won't be able to replace something next time, that she must have enough on hand, that this item is the "lowest price" and therefore (sometimes erroneously) the best _value_ many of the real benefits of zero waste will be ignored, disbelieved or dismissed out of hand as "not applying" to her world. One needn't be a hoarder to still be affected by the crushing consumer pressures of our society. It can become a vicious circle of buying poor quality, replacing, and buying extra and extraneous items "just in case."
Sometimes this is due to fear ("I have the money now, I'd better get it now" other times it's due to esteem issues ("I'm stressed, I've worked so hard, I deserve these tchotchkes.")
How can we expand this message for an audience who may not think it can apply to it's own life?
JulieB
I think being short on cash makes it hard to refuse. When I was in college I was very poor, and didn't qualify for food assistance. If someone offered me something to eat or use that wasn't completely in line with my ideals it was difficult to impossible to refuse, because I has so few options. I think it is important for us to work toward making zero waste choices easy and affordable, by lobbying stores and companies to offer better choices.
ReplyDelete"Certainly, zero waste benefits the planet, and hence everybody, but I'd like to find a way to talk about and promote zero waste in a practical way that takes the lower social classes into consideration"......
ReplyDeleteWhere we live (in Europe) the cheapest bulk stores and the stores with the best packaging options (paper or cardboard) are the ones where poorer people tend to shop. The upper middle class looks down on shopping in those stores because of the association with immigrants and the underclass. The upper middle classes want to be seen loading their trolleys with lots of overpackaged and overpriced branded goods in a big brand name supermarket with the parking lot full of nasty, shiny SUV's. The poorer immigrant population buys from bulk sacks at the African and Indian supermarket-few upper middle class people would want to be seen in a down at heel neighbourhood buying from bulk bins. I am a professional probably upper middle class person on the road to zero waste in my home and I love telling people about where I buy my food-it gets their prejudiced brains working. I guess we have the reverse problem here-the so called poor and immigrant population can teach the upper middle classes a thing or two about shopping and zero waste shopping at that....
EVC here again. I was afraid I might get some harsh replies to my comments about the poor and zero waste living (see above), but I'm grateful for the thoughtful responses so far (for, against, or alongside). Thanks so much for your thoughtful posts.
ReplyDeleteEVC
I am very happy to see you write this post. I am trying to live a minimalist lifestyle, but I also have an interest in art. Although I felt as though art was "my thing" my entire life, I'm realizing it really isn't. Like you, I have (had) those art supplies staring at me taunting me for not using them. Then when I did, like you was frustrated or disappointed. I've since got rid of most of them, hoping that the remaining ones would inspire me to use them, but they haven't. Then I think about what happens once I make the art? I have 3 or 4 sketchbooks (all barely used). They're just taking up space. Minimalism is my new hobby. I actually think it's safe to say that it brings me more joy than art ever really did. In other words, this post has inspired me to think of what actually makes me happy instead of beating myself up for not doing what I "want" to make me happy.
ReplyDelete