Putting your art out into the world is a beautiful gesture; you share the deepest parts of yourself with loved ones and complete strangers alike, offering an interpretation of a feeling they may recognize but could never express themselves. As an artist, it’s likely that you are profoundly drawn to tapping into the more complex parts of life. You want to communicate truth in a way that feels authentic to you, and every piece you create portrays that. There is a way to go even deeper into your creative process and add another layer of meaning to your work: incorporate eco-friendly practices. Feel good about what you’re creating in more ways than one by upgrading your systems to give love back to the earth.
The Incredible Bulk: Buying Wholesale Supplies
Everyone has a system they’re used to when it’s time to go shopping: You have your list, you know your favorites, and you’re aware of what your price points are. Staying in a routine is a natural part of a person’s workflow, but when it comes to your purchasing power---pay attention to how you exercise it. Though buying in bulk through a wholesale retailer may require a larger up-front investment, it pads your wallet in the long run. Less trips to the store and more money in your wallet, what else could you ask for? This isn’t an entirely selfish pursuit; buying in bulk means reducing wasteful packaging and giving some love back to Mother Nature. If you’re still not sold on the idea, think of what the switch might do for your studio’s organization. You’ll be inspired to rearrange to make room for the plethora of new supplies in your space.
Make Secondhand a First Choice: Utilizing Used Goods
Keeping goods in rotation is one of the easiest ways to protect our planet. There are countless warehouses and storefronts that sell recycled fabrics and materials to creators of all kinds. As an artist, you’re probably used to seeing things for what they could be, and not always what they are. This creative eye will come in handy when shopping for secondhand supplies to add to your collection. Especially popular for use in mixed-media projects, used materials can bring depth to your creation and deliver new life to something once forgotten. The exercise may also be useful in stimulating your brain, as it requires innovation and imagination. Rare meets renewable with a work of art produced from recycled goods.
Purposeful Packaging: Switching to Recyclable Designs
Tiny actions, when repeated, make an enormous difference. If everyone became a more conscious consumer, we’d have a lot less than 300 million tons of plastic pollution on our hands. Making the switch to supplies that come in recycled packaging is as easy as a two-second search. With resources like Amazon as a starting point, artists can browse comparable products to what they’re already using but with a greener guarantee. Purchasing tools and materials that come in reusable bags or containers is another fairly feasible feat. Ditch the plastic and cardboard packaging that you’ll throw away anyway and grab some goods that feel good to buy. Having the option of reusable packaging will also protect your tools and increase their lifetime and condition.
Do Some Digging: Researching Your Products
The world wide web has given us an unabashed sense of transparency ever since its inception. Within seconds, we are able to uncover the what, why, when, where and who behind any brand in existence. A lot of consumers aren’t concerned about where their products come from as long as they get the job done, but as an artist you might swing to the other side of the spectrum. A true craftsman cares about the means behind his masterpieces, and will take the time to align himself with a brand he can get behind. Part of the research process will deliver information about how materials are sourced, if they’re ethically produced, and what a company’s environmental stance might be. Not every brand will be incredibly up front, but the ones that are will be the ones to support. A company that explicitly states where their goods come from is a responsible retailer. Even if you don’t switch out every go-to tool you use, taking small steps to up your eco-conscious game is a move in the right direction.
Join Our Community of Conscious Creators
Do these ideas spark your interest? Are you inspired to start your eco-friendly evolution? The American Fabrics Arts Building invites you to apply to join our collective of over 30 area artists. Fill out our studio space application today to start your journey with like-minded creators.