Falling Down - The Chicago Series

I just returned from a week in Chicago. The Windy City never lets me down as a source of ideas and inspiration for green projects and art at the S.C.R.A.P. Gallery.

Our upcoming show at the S.C.R.A.P. Gallery called Falling Down, opening on November 13, encourages artists to create work with found pieces or things that have made it to the ground floor. Now Chicago is a pretty and mostly clean metropolis, but right now it is swirling with autumnal colors and you guessed it, things falling down from the trees and shrubs. So in between shopping and museum-hopping, I would run and collect leaves and twigs off the ground. I couldn't help myself.

So here is the start of what I like to call my Falling Down - Chicago Series. I can't wait to see what our other participants, all California artists, come up with. Who knows what they have picked up?

Please drop by the Falling Down opening reception on November 13, 7 p.m. at the S.C.R.A.P. Gallery, 46350 Arabia Street, Indio, CA.

Mixing Things Up

Like life, art is always a work in progress. Looking at things in new ways is something I strive to do. And when you are fortunate to have a treasure trove of materials like I do at the S.C.R.A.P. Gallery, it makes this a lot easier. Again, special thanks to all who share my passion for recycling and reuse.

Anyway, over the weekend, some elements emerged and converged to start me on a new piece -- Victorian silver, French Impressionism and good ole' American commercialism. As I said, this too is a work in progress like life full of drama and comedy. I like to mix things up!

Global Art Party Gets Going

Today we met with our friends at Coachella Valley Green to plan an event for global change. Scientists say that 350 parts per million CO2 in the atmosphere is the safe limit for humanity. According to scientists, if we can't get below that, the damage we are already seeing from global warming will continue and accelerate. Yes, this is true, the evidence comes from, as my friend Thom Gottberg says, rocket scientists!

So on October 10 we will join with people around the world to take action and make a statement. Join us at the Green Zone in Palm Desert for our Global 350 Art Party from 3 to 6 p.m. We will practice the Four Rs - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Responsibility in the most creative and productive way!

STUDIO SCARTO Is Born

Yes, that is Venus rising from a recycling bin! Where? You can find Venus at the S.C.R.A.P. Gallery's newest satellite location, STUDIO SCARTO.

STUDIO SCARTO is a place where you can make, take and create art from recycled materials. Scarto is an Italian word meaning rejects and we take our inspiration from that! Located at the Fiesta Mall in Indio, California, the STUDIO SCARTO is open to the public on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Explore our Recycle Bicycle exhibit and an array of art -- all from things having a rebirth, so to speak.

Flipping Out

I love flips!

I can't help myself - these plastic flip offs used for medicine tops are colorful and reusable. Artists around the world are using them too! In fact, I am thinking of dedicating a whole new book to the art of flips! This is just one of my latest creations completed at the S.C.R.A.P. Gallery. Stay tuned for more!

Earth On Edge

Thursday, April 22, 2010 is the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day! That student-inspired, university scene event has not only grown up, it's gone global! And thank goodness it has because global action and global awareness is just what the Earth needs!

At the S.C.R.A.P. Gallery, we continue to be creative in our approach to art and the environment and in doing so, we are happy to announce an event called Earth On Edge, a fundraiser supporting our programs for kids and the environment. We are talking global!

More than twenty California artists will exhibit their work and donate work for a silent auction. There will also be a special poster exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution. Please feel free to stop by the Green Zone, our host and sponsor, on April 22 from 5-8. The Green Zone is located at 75181 Mediterranean Avenue in Palm Desert.

S.C.R.A.P. Gallery At The Green Zone

The S.C.R.A.P. Gallery was commissioned by the Green Zone in Palm Desert, California to provide art work for the new building and open house. The Green Zone is the first commercial property in the Coachella Valley to be renovated and leased exclusively to businesses focused on sustainability and the new green economy. The Green Zone currently is home to five green-thinking businesses including Smart Glass (http://www.smartglassca.com/) and Prints Charming sustainable printing (http://www.printscharming.info/).

Take a look at what the Gallery created by recycling and reusing! We have lots of ideas and we can help you recycle and reuse creatively, so contact the S.C.R.A.P. Gallery today!!