Sustainability and creativity

There is a LOT of talk when it comes to sustainability, and it is something I am passionate about. I am also very much a realist. A lot of the materials we use as artists contain plastics and solvents, whilst these have come a LONG way in being more eco-friendly, they still leave a footprint on our precious planet.

In my latest Creative Corner newsletter, I shared some of the tips and techniques as well as sharing my own processes to reduce, reuse and recycle. This proved a very popular newsletter, so I wanted to expand on it in this month’s blog.

Sustainable art practices

Being an artist doesn’t have to cost the earth, either financially or by negatively impacting the planet.

When you walk into any art supply shop there is so much choice and it is easy to get carried away. In general, not just with art supplies, suppliers have driven us to consume more with incentives to increase our average order value. This could be simple offers like 3 for 2 or free postage when we spend over a certain amount. With everything I purchase and the materials I use, I always pause to ask myself 2 very simple and important questions…

Do I really need what I am about to buy and will I use it? If it is not a HELL YES, then it is costing me (and the planet) more than it is worth even though it feels like I am getting a bargain.

Another really important question to ask yourself is: What can I reuse or repurpose? From using old books and leftover paint in my collage through to repurposing boxes of cardboard to protect my work surfaces as I paint, I really believe that everything has the potential to be repurposed. Very little needs to be thrown away.

Color is another area where sustainability plays a pivotal role. Whenever I venture into an art supply store I am always stunned (and a little overwhelmed sometimes) by the sheer number of different colors available – in pretty much every brand and every medium. As you know in some stores there are several aisles dedicated just to acrylic paint.

I have been an artist long enough to know that I do not need all these different colours. Color mixing is a great skill and so much fun and to developed my own palette through color mixing is so rewarding. I come back to just a handful of favourite colors over and over again. From this small collection of base colours I can mix and blend to create my own palette that reflects me, my voice and my work beautifully. (Curious? Check my color mixing video in my resource library here)

This practice not only limits the number of purchases but also enhances my understanding of color, an essential skill for any artist. It’s a fun challenge that connects me more closely with my work while reducing my footprint on the earth.

Another favourite technique I use is to “clean” the excess paint off my brushes by painting on scrap pieces of paper until the brush is free from wet paint. If I have left over paint on my palette at the end of the day I do this until all the colors have been used off the palette. I let these scraps dry and they become part of my collage paper stash. These pieces are then used to make my work stronger by add my own colours and voice in the layers of my work.

Buying Art Suplies

I mostly buy my art supplies in small family owned stores locally or online. To make sure that I use my money to support the kind of businesses that I like and build the world that I want to live in. When we buy cheap stuff from the biiiig suppliers we put our money on businesses that pushes the limits in all areas , which most often are not sustainable. Cheap material is used and workers are not paid fairly. We have power in how we use our money! Do not take that lightly!

For example I buy my stencils from StencilGirlProducts.com. The owner Mary Beth is proud of her artist designers and insists they are paid appropriate and fair royalties every time one of their designs is sold. Think about it! Is it really worth buying 10 designs from a company that steals the designs and pay rubbish salaries to their employees… or is 2 designs from a sustainable company enough?

I love to make my work available in a variety of ways so my followers can have a little piece of my art in their homes. Finding suppliers for this can be difficult when you look at sustainable and ethical practices. For my new collection of bags I have found a wonderful supplier called Art of Where, they are based in Canada and all items are produced locally with workers being paid a fair wage and benefits and they offer drop shipping so we only produce when we sell which is fantastic and any excess clothing items or inperfect garments are donated to innercity shelters. It means the costs are slightly higher but for me, the overall value far outweighs that.

Sustainability and wellbeing

The concept of sustainability extends beyond just our art materials and techniques—it encompasses our personal wellbeing. As creative individuals, our most precious resource is our energy. This too needs to be given focus and the same care and effort we adopt when trying to protect the environment.

To be climate anxious will not make the world a better place. Looking after our physical and emotional health will help to replenish our bodies and minds.

Physical activity

To me, this ticks all the boxes. I love getting out on my mountain bike in the forest. Connecting with nature, pushing the boundaries a little and enjoying getting the heart racing. And yes, my trusty art journal will often be in my backpack if I am planning a long ride so I can take a bit of reflective time while I am out.

Relaxation

There are so many simple activities we can do to relax our minds and bodies. 20 years ago I decided I wanted to bring yoga into my daily life. I knew that I didn’t have the time to do a full 1-hour yoga practice every day so I started small with a simple sun salutation. As the years have passed, I have built this up and I love that it has become a part of my daily routine.

Rejuvenate

I am a bit of a night owl; I love that quiet time when everything around me is still, and I can switch off from any distractions. But I am also very mindful that lots of late nights and early mornings are not sustainable. I need to give my body a chance to sleep and rejuvenate. Sleep is extremely important for our mental health. I also make sure I fill up on nutritious food to keep my energy levels stable and try to avoid sugar overload and crashes.

Ensuring we have adequate sleep and feed our bodies correctly engaging in regular physical activity, and taking time for mental and emotional reflection are not just practices for personal health—they are essential for sustaining our creative output. All this works to recharge our bodies and minds, enabling us to be creative and create art that is not only innovative but also full of soul and love.

What can you do to embrace sustainability?

I hope this blog has given you a little inspiration and some ideas that you can take forward into your own life and creative practice. We can all take many small steps that long term can have a massive positive impact both for the planet and in our own lives. What and how much we consume is one of the areas where we really have power to make a change ourselfs. Let us be mindful about how we use our money. Money speaks! What world do we want our kids to live in? Do not underestimate the power we have in how we spend our money! Who we buy from, what we buy, how much we buy, the materials we choose, and the personal habits we cultivate. This journey of sustainability is not just about recycling—it’s about all the small steps we take to make a difference.

If you have any tips or techniques that you use please feel free to pop over into my Facebook group and share them with my wonderful community.