That is how my daughter thinks of me.
Actually she loves junk, so from this 9 year-old it is a compliment! This all started with a note home from school. The teachers were looking for parents to talk to the 3rd graders about their careers. Emma wanted me to come in a talk about being an artist. I thought "Ok, sounds like fun." So next Tuesday is the big day. How do I explain to a bunch of kids what I do?
I asked Emma what she told people, when they ask what I do for a living. Her answer was "I tell them that you are an artist" OK so far so good. "How do you answer if they ask 'what kind of artist?’ Emma quickly replied, "She's a junk artist" Mmmmm, Ok, not the answer I would give. Emma explained then that she tells people "She uses old books and stuff people don't want and turn it into art". That sounds better to me.
Don't get me wrong, I love junk! But I never thought of myself as a junk artist. I transform junk into something more, something it was never intended to be. A lowly rusty washer can be elevated to the centerpiece of a pendant. An old water damaged chemistry book, becomes the background paper for many a collage.
exhibit 1. Chemistry book
exhibit 2. Collaged Mirror Frame (without mirror)-----I also posted this on the Wisconsin Street Team (WIST) blog
2 comments:
Junk artists of the world unite! My guys always asked, (wrinkling their noses, "What the heck are you making now?" When the "junk art" sold they came to me like kittens with little offereings....look what I brought for you. They are now well-educated in junk hunting selectively & come back with great finds.
I too am a Junk Artist and I for one say, Junk Rules!!!!!! Keep it coming and never stop.I truely belive that my head would explode if I cound not spend time in my basement making yet another peice of Art from my vast collection of cast offs and junk.
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