Waste. It’s the unspoken child born out of the wedlock of our creative processes. Waste in the form of shavings of paper, hardened acrylic blobs, and forgotten scraps of canvas. As artists, we transform raw materials into beauty, while the leftover is just another proof of the universe’s tendency toward entropy. Do these leftovers say anything about us? More and more, I find myself drawn to the challenge of art with purpose. Can we create without leaving a trail of excess behind?
Perhaps we need more mindful, sustainable art media. For watercolors, we can use handmade, natural pigments. Beam Paints, for instance, crafts vibrant colors from sustainably harvested tree sap and powdered minerals. Nothing had to die for you to create. Then there’s the question of paper. Legion Stonehenge, made from 100% cotton, offers smooth deckled paper for printmakers. The quality rivals European mold-made papers but at a much more reasonable cost.
With our sustainable materials, we can craft our art. Stretch the life of a tube of paint by reviving dried pigments with a little linseed oil. We can also incorporate imperfections—those off-cuts of canvas or sketchbook paper can be collaged into something new. The Japanese concept of mottainai—the regret you feel from wasting things—should be a concept we abide by in the studio.
For other sustainable practices, we can look to brush cleaner alternatives like The Masters’ Brush Cleaner, which is non-toxic and long-lasting. Or, better yet, ditch the single-use mindset altogether: refillable paint markers, upcycled frames, and reusable palettes should be part of our artistic vocabulary.
Art isn’t just what we create—it’s the impact we leave behind. Our art has the potential for impact beyond the aesthetic sense. In fact, artists need to go past the visual color spectrum. We need to recognize our duty as caretakers of the environment. Yes, we are creators first and foremost, but every stroke of our brush should also carry a gesture of goodwill for future generations.
