I love shopping for handmade home decor, and art is always a tricky one. Between the canvas and the paints themselves, those lovely art pieces can have a big impact. Conventional art canvases use conventional cotton canvas stretched over new wood and finished with a sealant, and those paints and pigments are full of nasty chemicals that aren't so hot for the planet. Luckily, lots of savvy crafters are finding alternative ways to make beautiful art while foregoing the conventional paint on canvas and all of its impacts.
Wendy Kaehr of EarthArt makes gorgeous painted pieces using reclaimed wood that she finds near her home. I love how she uses eco-friendly paints in bright colors to enhance the wood's natural features. Since each scavenged piece of wood is different, all of Wendy's wood art pieces are one of a kind, to boot! She was kind enough to talk with us about what inspires her.
gUP: What got you interested in painting on reclaimed wood?
Wendy: Well, I've always loved nature... And I've always loved art. And it seemed like only common sense to me to try and combine the two! I've been intrigued and inspired by nature's rings it leaves behind on trees as they age, and wanted a way to define and showcase them.
gUP: Where do you scavenge your wood?
Wendy: We have a family owned woods of about 5 acres. I'd spent the equivalent of months roaming and exploring it growing up, and still enjoy the long walks on the trails! There are dozens and dozens of fallen trees laying on the forest floor; which is where I harvest most of my materials.
gUP: Tell me a little bit about what inspires your designs and color choices.
Wendy: I chose the circular/ring design to replicate the natural rings left on the tree from aging. I try to use colors that people could see in their own homes. But mostly, I just like doing fun and vibrant color choices! Because I believe life should be fun... Happiness is a choice we can all make. And I hope my pieces truly reflect that.
You can find Wendy's wood art in her Etsy shop.
