Thanks for checking out my first blog! I am very excited about my new website and the chance to share my adventures with you. A few years ago I decided to make a serious effort to live a little greener—to find realistic ways to add green practices into my everyday life. That led me to an eco-friendly art form that serves as both a creative outlet and a springboard for the sustainability conversation. I quickly discovered that I had much to learn about art and the environment. The learning process just may be the greatest part of the journey so far.
As far as the environment goes, information and misinformation is everywhere. Weeding through it all, reading, surfing the web, talking to experts and ordinary people, trying to incorporate that knowledge into my own life is an enjoyable yet sometimes frustrating process. As far as art goes, there is a lot of trial and error and happy accidents along the way. The greatest thing about becoming an artist is being a part of an artist community. I have much to learn from the wonderful and talented people I meet.
Through both of these endeavors I come across so many new ideas, solutions, and just some really cool artwork. When I find something that is both artistic and solves an ecological problem or raises awareness to an issue, I’m in heaven. These are the things I will share with you here.
My favorite thing in the world is getting people to rethink the way we see trash. I love hearing that I have inspired someone to cut down on waste and reuse things they used to throw away. I am constantly inspired by people who find uses for everyday trash items—from the highly artistic to the downright useful.
My life is very busy and green practices take effort. People ask all the time, “Why do you bother?” The reasons are many. I live in a beautiful area of Northern Minnesota. Nature dominates my artwork because her beauty is all around me. I want my grandchildren's grandchildren to be able to enjoy what we so often take for granted. It goes back to the camping creed to leave a place the way you found it or better. We camped often when I was a kid and that philosophy is ingrained in me.
Another childhood memory probably sums it up just as well. On Saturdays when I was a little girl, my mom insisted we do chores. My job entailed helping my mom with housework. This seemed completely unreasonable to me since it interfered with watching Saturday morning cartoons. One Saturday, I followed her through the house complaining about the work and incessantly asking why. Why do we have to do this? Is someone coming over? Are we getting the house ready for something? Why do we have to pick up everything? Why can’t we just leave things where they are? Finally exasperated, she looked at me and said “Because we live here, Jane, and that is reason enough to take care of our surroundings.” Her answer stopped my questions but all it really meant to me then was that I would definitely be missing “Josie and the Pussycats.” Still, that comment stuck with me through the years. It applies perfectly to caring for our environment. We live here, people, and that really is reason enough to take care of our surroundings.
With that in mind, you can expect an honest and often humorous account of my great green efforts, many cool discoveries, the trials and tribulations of a budding artist and the powerful connections I am making between taking care of our earth and our selves: body, mind, and soul. I know I will learn from you as well, so please don’t be shy. I welcome your thoughts, ideas, and critiques.
Through both of these endeavors I come across so many new ideas, solutions, and just some really cool artwork. When I find something that is both artistic and solves an ecological problem or raises awareness to an issue, I’m in heaven. These are the things I will share with you here.
My favorite thing in the world is getting people to rethink the way we see trash. I love hearing that I have inspired someone to cut down on waste and reuse things they used to throw away. I am constantly inspired by people who find uses for everyday trash items—from the highly artistic to the downright useful.
My life is very busy and green practices take effort. People ask all the time, “Why do you bother?” The reasons are many. I live in a beautiful area of Northern Minnesota. Nature dominates my artwork because her beauty is all around me. I want my grandchildren's grandchildren to be able to enjoy what we so often take for granted. It goes back to the camping creed to leave a place the way you found it or better. We camped often when I was a kid and that philosophy is ingrained in me.
Another childhood memory probably sums it up just as well. On Saturdays when I was a little girl, my mom insisted we do chores. My job entailed helping my mom with housework. This seemed completely unreasonable to me since it interfered with watching Saturday morning cartoons. One Saturday, I followed her through the house complaining about the work and incessantly asking why. Why do we have to do this? Is someone coming over? Are we getting the house ready for something? Why do we have to pick up everything? Why can’t we just leave things where they are? Finally exasperated, she looked at me and said “Because we live here, Jane, and that is reason enough to take care of our surroundings.” Her answer stopped my questions but all it really meant to me then was that I would definitely be missing “Josie and the Pussycats.” Still, that comment stuck with me through the years. It applies perfectly to caring for our environment. We live here, people, and that really is reason enough to take care of our surroundings.
With that in mind, you can expect an honest and often humorous account of my great green efforts, many cool discoveries, the trials and tribulations of a budding artist and the powerful connections I am making between taking care of our earth and our selves: body, mind, and soul. I know I will learn from you as well, so please don’t be shy. I welcome your thoughts, ideas, and critiques.
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