Sustainable Artist - Rescuing Junk by Repurposing
I am a sustainable artist - infusing art into the ordinary. Ordinary wood, ordinary junk, antique and vintage items that don’t have a lot of inherent value on their own. I give them an artful new life by transforming them into art, sculptures, functional items and furniture. I see art in the commonplace, handcrafted, durable items of the past, and also using materials already given to us in nature. In doing this, I create an alternative option that doesn't contribute to expending additional resources to mass manufacture more throwaway items.
Since 2016, my business has evolved and grown as I have learned new skills and developed new, creative ideas. Initially I mostly rescued old wooden shipping crates and boxes and library card catalogs and made them into one-of-a-kind furniture. In 2018, I started working with live edge wood and epoxy resin. I despise symmetry, and something about natural wood and their unpredictable edges and spontaneity really speaks to me.
In 2020, I researched and built a fractal wood burning tool. Fractal burning occurs when a conductive solution is applied to the wood and then electricity is introduced via 2 electrodes wired from a transformer (microwave). As the current tries to connect, the high voltage burns river like patterns into the wood. (It was extremely important to me to research this process entirely before attempting to do it since it can be very dangerous)
I love the unpredictability of the electrical current as it travels. Like fingerprints or snowflakes, each design is unrepeatable. I also decided to add color to the burn designs with epoxy resin. Often I don’t know what it will become until I am finished – I follow whatever creative ideas come to me.
Since working with resin, I also use a lot of "found items" that are headed for the landfill and put them in coasters, ornaments, serving boards etc to create unique items for your home. I even teach others to create with my local resin workshops.
I live in Fauquier County, VA with my blended family, 4 dogs and 2 cats. You can shop locally with me at these Upcoming Events. In addition to my art, I enjoy hiking, travelling, craft beer, football and snuggling with my dogs.