Beauty Beyond the Bin: The Upcycled Artistry of Cathy Ehrler and Kathy Rennell-Forbes
The duo behind Studio Z Atlanta has returned to showcase works made from recycled materials in “Keep Georgia Beautiful: The Artful Reclamation of Waste”. To celebrate Earth Month, half of the proceeds will go to KGBF. Join us for a conversation about sustainable artistry, the richness of the natural world, and how trash can become a canvas for creativity.
Kathy Rennell-Forbes & Cathy Ehrler pose in front of Studio Z
Cathy, you'll be showing "Bits & Pieces & Mosaics", a collection made from upcycled trash, and Kathy will be exhibiting "Seascapes & Spring Blooms", a series of repurposed watercolors. For those new to your work, can you share more about the materials you use and the inspiration behind your themes?
Cathy: I have incorporated recycled materials into my art for more than 20 years now. My mosaics are made from thousands of cut pieces painstakingly glued to a recycled background. Some of these come from litter I find on the street, and others originate from items around the house I no longer need—this year, I’ve made several large pieces from takeout forks and jewelry I no longer use. The only products I purchase are non-toxic glue and sealer. My goal is to be carbon negative.
Kathy: I have been teaching and painting for decades. I have a lot of old painting demos (acrylic, oil, & watercolor) or pieces that no longer represent my best work. So instead of putting them all into a bonfire or the trash, I repurpose old canvases and panels as new painting supports. I shred my old watercolors and then make them into thick, new, textured paper. I combine all of these plus other materials I already have to make my new mixed media pieces.
Your artwork highlights the unexpected beauty, and really the usefulness, in discarded materials. Was there ever a time when you surprised yourself—when a piece turned out completely different from what you first envisioned?
Cathy: I usually see something that would be otherwise unusable and get a vision of what could be created from it. Then, I work until I achieve my goal. If it doesn't work, I just start over. After all, it's only trash!
Kathy: For me, the whole process can be unpredictable. By experimenting and playing with my materials, I have come up with paintings that are more creative and fun, with the bonus of not adding anything to the landfill. I really enjoy it!
The artists with some pieces from their upcoming exhibition
Recycled art carries a message about sustainability, but it’s also deeply personal. Is there a piece in this year’s show that feels especially meaningful to you? Why?
Cathy: Trashformation - Adriatic means a lot to me personally because it contains trash I collected from a cruise my husband and I took together. I incorporated the wire from the headphones they distributed on the plane ride, and if you look closely, you’ll see text from the menus provided to us on the boat. I created a vibrant ocean scene from it all, with fish swimming underwater—I hope it speaks to what can happen to our waste, and how it can affect the environment, if we don’t dispose of it properly.
Kathy: Glorious Gladiolas (seen above) is my favorite piece in this year’s show. I had a large support panel that I coated with all of my unused paint from a class demo. It was a light yellow-green that I painted over an old abstract, and some of it still shows through the background. I changed the orientation and let it hang on the wall for several weeks. I was then inspired to tear my handmade paper into organic shapes. I used some rice paper stashed away in my closet and painted it a variety of green shades. I combined these along with some string I had to create a beautiful floral painting.
Cathy with “Trashformation-Adriatic”
If you could change one common misconception people have about recycling or waste reduction, what would it be? And how do you think art helps shift those perceptions?
Cathy: I’d remind people to not get discouraged. Do what you can in the moment, and try to keep getting better. If everyone would only do a little to reduce, reuse, recycle, and repurpose, our world wouldn't be troubled with so much trash.
Kathy: I agree. Do the best you are able to at the time, and slowly reduce your waste more. Buy fewer things with hard-to-recycle materials. Art helps all of us to think outside the box and to reuse or create beauty in our world. Each of us is capable of that if you give yourself the opportunity. To kids this comes naturally…adults need to give themself permission to play!
Visit Studio Z on Saturday, April 12 from 1-8pm to meet the artists, enjoy refreshments, and browse their new collections. You’ll support Georgia’s environment and be able to take home something beautiful!