Finding Beauty in Unexpected Places and Putting on a Creative Twist

Yes, indeed, what you are seeing are photos of recycling and garbage bins I came across on my walk. I mean I do take a lot of pictures ... but this set is a whole different game. I am intrigued with the idea of "recycling" - in the broadest sense of this word. I enjoy learning about environment and protecting it and I also read a bit about recycling of artistic ideas and art history, which is indeed a prime example of "re-cycling" of themes and techniques. So, I decided to take what may not be considered that pretty and put a spin on it and go deep in my personal understanding of "recycling". 

Hence, the photos below. I snapped a bunch of them and then selected three photos I thought had interesting interplay of shapes and shadows and a fresh composition. I used the shapes and lines I saw in these to create a set of three watercolor paintings that represent a potential interpretation of "recycling" - taking something that's out there and reinventing it in a new way.  

I worked on my project at home and then I took it outside to enjoy the sunshine. I painted my pieces in watercolor on canvas. Watercolor is my favorite medium. Canvas is a fun tool to hold watercolor and show the texture of the canvas through the layers of paint. 

And here we go ... A few finishing touches like glue along the separating lines in my painting and it's all done. Would you ever know this colorful pieces came out of a photo of garbage bins? That's what I am interested in: taking anything and everything that surrounds us and giving it a new life - a new spin - through art. 

Interested in learning more? I teach a class called "From Photograph to Modern Art" at VisArts in Rockville, MD, about just this cool techniques. Hop over to VisArt's website and sign up to join me on this fun artistic adventure. See you in class!