Earth paints meet acrylics

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been taking some nature adventures to find colourful rocks to grind into my own earth paints. Why? Because I’m becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impacts of art materials, such as acrylic paints, which are often made from toxic pigments and are plastic-based by nature. 

Over the years as an artist, I’ve carefully managed my art material consumption and waste management strategies, including wiping off excess paint before rinsing brushes and paint palettes (better yet, cover wet paint palettes and refrigerate to re-use paints, or let them dry and peel paint off), NEVER pouring paint water down the sink (this sends toxic plastic residue into the waterways), and only buying quality products that stand the test of time. Plus re-using nature magazines for collage. That will stay with me forever. But for me, this is no longer enough. So I’m turning the Earth and making my own paints.

I’m only at the beginning of my journey but I have to say, it’s an incredibly exciting process! Being outdoors and finding rocks feels like a treasure hunt! Then I lovingly grinding them and mix with free-range eggs and distilled water, to make tempera paints and watercolours that can be rinsed off with ZERO impact to waterways ... now this feels amazing! 

I love the gritty earthiness and how they combine with my other materials in new ways. 
I won’t throw out my existing acrylics, that’s wasteful in itself, but I can see myself slowly transitioning to eco-art options in future months and years. Exciting times. 
See @nick.neddo.eartharts for great organic art ideas and his amazing book ❤️

Love, Chrissy x