The creative and spiritual journey of a (textile) recycler. . .

I have thought about starting a blog for a long time now. I just couldn’t seem to get started. I thought. . what would I say, what would I do and really . . . . . who would care.

Last year I had the great fortune to witness a ‘happening’. As a spouse at a reunion (I know, groan) I was both an observer and participant. This reunion was attended by some of the most creative and talented people on the face of the planet. Really, no exaggeration! But many were holding onto life long insecurities. They didn’t think they were talented enough and embarrassed to perform in front of each other for fear of . . who knows . . . finger pointing, whispers, laughter, ridicule of some sort for sure. Once it was revealed that many shared the same feelings, the healing began. And I was the lucky one. I got to witness it all and benefit as well.

So, the message is that we all think we are not good enough compared to someone else, but we are. Don’t let your fears and insecurities stop you. We can’t measure our own success by someone else’s talents.

This revelation and the kindness / support of strangers has propelled my creative journey to a place I had given up ever getting to. Tho I thought my creative juices were dried up forever, they have merely been reawakened. Many thanks to all involved in my process, including in-part . . Victoria B, Mrs. W., Charles Mc., Claudia H, Mary B, Cindy G, Sandy B, Traci B., Kat C, and my IAA family. So, thank you. I dedicate this blog to all of you!

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Trash or Treasure?


Ok, so we all know that I love to recycle....mainly textiles... but not exclusively. I'm a happy camper any time I'm around cast off or thrown away materials, before of after being turned into something else. I get especially excited when it's turned into some type of art.

Well, Tyree Gyton of Detroit has been doing it for decades. His Heidelberg Project is an ever changing landscape of shoes, grocery carts, doll pieces, vacuum cleaners, bent and mangled metal, cinder blocks and so much more.... all whimsically assembled to create art that gives the viewer either the giggles or pause to think about the message.

I recently spent a morning there with a local high school art class. The purpose was to expose the kids to various types of art and materials... and think about what they could create themselves. So the message is that you don't have to have big money to create art, just an imagination and some found objects.

Here is a peek at our morning.

at the beginning
not sure what to do with all those old records?
hello, hello. anyone home?
yipes. who put those shopping carts up there?
the middle of the shopping cart tree
charred beams from an abandoned house

medical folk create art & make statements too..
Detroit's in trouble...this says it all
hmmm, there's still empty space up top
do you know what time it is in the D? take that Flavor Flav
coming and going,
every sidewalk is painted with faces & crosses
So that should give you some idea of what the Heidelberg Project is and how we reuse trash in Detroit. Love it or hate it, art IS in the eye of the beholder. It will be interesting to see what the kids come up with for their own projects.

I'll keep you posted.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Recycling at its finest

I love to recycle. 

Not sure why, but I do love gathering little rusty bits, bumpy or satiny smooth textiles, odd bits of lace and buttons, old photos, bits of stuff with old cursive hand writing, frayed leather books, utensils..well just about anything and everything really.

Or is it the gathering that's the best part? Could it be just looking at all of the interesting things I've gathered or maybe actually making something from it all that brings joy... maybe it's a combination of it all. 


The video below shows what you can do with 'trash' if you really put your mind to it....