Feeling surrounded by a sea of rubbish and waste, Carla Lopes decided to reuse some of the materials she came across to bring her ideas to life. Instead of incorporating new raw materials, Carla went the sustainable way and began creating new everyday items from old and obsolete ones. It became the defining factor that makes ReCreate unique, original, and sustainable.
Upcycling, or the art of giving a new life to old products
What about rubbish becoming art, furniture, or décor? To fight waste, ReCreate (re)creates authentic design pieces, upcycling materials that would otherwise have ended up in the bin.
24/08/2022
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Being eco-friendly with style
Can worn-out tarps become beautiful handbags and purses? What about flags and other polyesters? Can they become stylish cushions?
Indeed, they can! It is possible to achieve that by combining creativity and craftsmanship in just the right amount. This is upcycling.
What is upcycling?
Upcycling is the concept of transforming and reusing old or worn-out materials into new products. Designers worldwide use upcycling to produce beautiful handmade pieces – be it decoration or fashion – while also reducing waste.
Don’t get upcycling and recycling mixed up!
While recycling entails undergoing a cycle of collection, processing, and transformation, upcycling uses old or obsolete objects and materials to create new products with a whole different purpose. The premise is to transform something already used into a new, high-quality, different object while adding environmental value.
Upcycling is mainly used in the case of non-recyclable or hard-to-recycle materials. Instead of generating more waste and producing more rubbish, upcycling expands the lifespan of certain materials in the form of new products.
By reusing materials in an upcycling context, it is possible to bring to life various décor and design pieces, author furniture, clothing, and many others. And there are just as many materials that can be upcycled, such as plastic or canvas bags, advertising banners and tarps, mesh bags, clothes and other textiles, paper and books, and wood, among an infinity of others.
Easy Ways to Reuse a Canvas
Every artist has likely experienced the process of creating a piece of artwork that didn’t exactly turn out as planned. When faced with an unsuccessful canvas, it’s easy to feel discouraged. However, don’t let your unused or failed projects go to waste. There are several easy ways to reuse a canvas that allows you to save money and resources while giving new life to old art.
1. Gesso It Over
The simplest way to reuse a canvas is by applying a layer of gesso over the previous painting. Gesso is a primer that creates a smooth and clean surface by covering the previous artwork completely. Simply apply one or two coats, allowing each layer to dry before proceeding. Once the gesso is dry, you have a blank canvas ready for your next masterpiece.
2. Paint Over It
Sometimes, the texture and colors from previous paintings can provide an interesting base for new art. In that case, consider painting over the old artwork without using gesso. Be sure to choose colors that can cover or work well with existing pigments on the canvas, which can create depth and complexity in your new piece.
3. Collage and Mixed Media
A used canvas offers an excellent opportunity to explore collage techniques and mixed media art. Incorporate various art materials such as newspapers, magazines, fabric scraps, or found objects into your design by gluing them onto your canvas’s surface. This approach allows you to create unique artwork while covering up the previous painting underneath.
4. Use Canvas Strips
Another method for reusing your old canvas is by cutting it into strips or shapes. These pieces can be worked into new paintings or incorporated into mixed media projects such as card making, journaling, or scrapbooking.
5. Turn It Into Home Décor
Instead of throwing out a used canvas, consider turning it into a functional piece of home décor. Cover the canvas with fabric or decorative paper, then add hooks or pegs to create a stylish wall hanging for keys or jewelry. Alternatively, you can stretch new fabric over the frame to make a customized bulletin board.
6. Create New Art
Balancing between the elements of destruction and creation, you can use your old canvas as a foundation for new artwork. Consider cutting or tearing the original painting and reassembling the pieces into a collage, creating an entirely new piece with an intriguing story behind it.
Conclusion
Remember that art is a process, and not every piece will be perfect. However, finding innovative ways to reuse a canvas can help you save money, reduce waste, and give your creativity a boost by turning old works into something fresh and exciting. So, don’t be afraid to experiment and breathe new life into your used canvases with these easy and inspiring ideas.
What are recycled materials?
Milk bottles, cereal boxes, baked bean tin cans, egg cartons, plastic yoghurt containers, bubble wrap, cardboard boxes, out-of-date newspapers, scratched CDs and even pressed flowers can be salvaged for your colourful artwork displays.
The judges at Global Canvas have seen some very interesting pieces created over the years, including an origami-like display made from folded pages of outdated books.
We also know of artist who combs beaches for washed-up plastic to use in their fishy creations. It takes a lot of time and effort, a bit like a puzzle, to make old toothbrushes and flip-flops look like a fish. Sadly, despite the ‘ban the straw movement’ to save the oceans’ sensational sea turtles, single-use plastic is still turning up on our beaches. Brands like Levi Jeans are trying to use recycled plastic bottles in their jean materials to become more sustainable.
4. Sardine cans and shoe boxes make superb mini dioramas. If you have a lot of people in your group, remember sometimes entire schools or year groups enter Global Canvas, why not encourage everyone in the team to create their own mini diorama for your display. A diorama, mini set representing an environmental scene.
5. Shredding old, stained, and torn clothing into strips can make great yarn for knitting. Why not try dying the clothing using natural dies like beetroot, red cabbage, turmeric, coffee, tea or jackfruit to get your ideal colour. Don’t forget to ask permission from a parent or guardian first and make sure you protect your clothing and any surfaces.
