It’s almost Earth Day, and everyone’s talking about their “Earth Day Resolutions,” or what changes they plan to make to help out our favorite planet.  This year, I want to continue to seek out new ways to make my business—and my art practice—more eco-friendly. I am going to commit to taking the extra step to find more sustainable options with regards to my materials, paints, and packaging.

My most recent series of artwork called “Postcards from San Francisco,” was born of primarily recycled or waste materials.  Rather than buying new canvases, I found discarded cabinet doors and refinished them to create a beautiful natural surface to paint on. (Tip: Look at places like SCRAP, Building Resources, Resource Yard) By using recycled materials, I am creating artwork that has a real history, a personality, and a low carbon imprint. The paint used is either salvaged acrylic housepaint (almost every paint store has an “Oops” section of mistints for cheap/free), or Golden Acrylic Paint, which is on the forefront of environmental stewardship programs in the art community.

Right now, it is more important than ever that we all do our part to change the legacy we leave to future generations and start leading a more green life, even if only by supporting artisans and businesses who have committed to a sustainable way of living.  My next step is to experiment with completely non-toxic paints, such as casein paint (milkpaint) and plant-based inks. I’m excited to play with new materials in my quest to reduce my footprint on the planet.

What are you doing in your life, your business, or your pastimes that is going to save the world?

About the Art: I often daydream about what San Francisco was like when my Grandmother lived here, where she met my Grandpa and fell in love.  (Read my recent post: I Live Here: SF) I recently happened upon some marvelous old postcards of San Francisco, showing all my favorite places in centuries past. I adored the classic romanticism of the postcards and decided to create “postcards” of my own. I wanted to paint little love letters to all my favorite nooks and crannies of the city. Wish you were here. xoxo

“Postcards From San Francisco” is currently showing in The San Francisco Film Centre in The Precidio, in Dish Cafe. (Yummy Sustainable, Local Foods!)