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Serendipty, trash, and some curiousity...

Serendipty struck me one day when I saw a striking Mexican folk art mirror. The mirror frame was embellished with, of all things, pieces of discarded aluminum cans. I thought to myself, how wonderful! The color and vibrancy were surprising considering the source: trash. I filed away this mental image.

As a child, I was the kid who had to "make do" due to a pair of thrifty, immigrant parents. When a war takes all your "stuff", it creates a new sense of value. Waste not, want not meets "value all you have". You want a doll house? Here. Go make one out of this perfectly good cardboard box. You want clothes for those dolls? There is some yarn and fabric scraps in the closet, knock yourself out.

At the time, I was sure I was suffering undue levels of deprivation, not allowed the most basic of kid accoutrements. However, this guidance programmed my brain with a now enjoyable "can-do" (pun?!) way of thinking. Equal parts Martha Stuart and MacGyver.

So, why not make art entirely out of this discarded, shiny, wonderfully colorful "media"? I've started seeking inspiration from traditional quilt patterns. The idea of repurposing scraps coupled with the simple, graphic, surprisingly modern motifs seemed a perfect fit. Our wise and artful grandmothers were truly "green" way ahead of the catch phrase's time.

People have started saving unusual, out-of-the-ordinary aluminum specimens for me and I have a new appreciation for recycling bins and trash in general. I now look for discarded cans wherever I go. Beauty is where you find it.

Regards,
Leanne Salandro
emaileanne@yahoo.com.