Why Sustainable Art?

Being a professional artist requires an entrepreneurial mindset. In January 2025, my overall goal was to build a sustainable business (At God’s Urging-Yes, I believe in God). I wanted to find a way to not only make my paints organically, but also to find an alternative to canvases (or learn to make my own-in progress). My solution was cardboard boxes because I have several reliable places to obtain them, and I am recycling. The average American throws away roughly 600lbs or paper product per year. Americans as a whole use about 85 million tons of paper products per year, and 21 million tons belong to American Businesses. According to the EPA , in 2018, the most recycled item was corrugated boxes. 68% of consumed paper is recyclable, and if one ton of paper is recycled- it is the equivalent of saving 17 trees, and enough energy to power a home for six months.

I did not want to be a part of the statistic of Americans who could recycle but chose not to. My first order of business was to not only obtain cardboard that could be recycled into art, but to also learn to make my own watercolor paper. Next, I began experimenting with organic paints by sourcing my pigments locally and playing with process. I have learned all about mordants and alkalis and learned to lake pigment. I am starting to experiment with emulsifying. I prefer dry pigments, and I have not committed to not purchasing paints or ready-made pigments yet as my palette is limited. My palette is as follows:

Beet Root-Red, Turmeric-Yellow, Matcha Tea-Green, Wood Ash- Gray,

Activated Charcoal- Black, Sands and Dirt-Siennas

Prussian Salt (Mrs. Stewarts Organic Bluing)- Blue

My Binder Solution is:

Gum Arabic+ Honey+ Essential oil

I love being one with my process and knowing exactly where my art supplies art coming from. My goal is to be 100% Art Supply Organic by 2027. Stay tuned for the journey!

***DISCLAIMER***

Some sizes are “odd” or “off”. Sizes on most artworks that are not standard sizes are hand-cut by me, and I can’t cut a straight line to save my life even with the help of a paper cutter (like an actual piece of equipment). Sizes are approximations to the nearest inch due to the fact that I don’t have time or the inclination to count the “tick” marks on a tape measure. Thank you!