Upcycled Functional Art : Transforming Trash Into Treasures

I have been creating upcycled wooden items under the name of “Upcycled Functional Art” for almost a decade now. My art studio started when I quit my job as Creative Director and pursued my passion for art and a sustainable & minimal life.

Wood became my choice for a canvas. Not just any wood, but junk and rejected wooden items. I find these pieces usually at the back of the junkyards, covered in dust and mostly rejected by the buyers and thrifters. I bring them home, give them a good wash, scrape off years of grime and dust, sand off old polish and sharp edges if any.

I do only basic repair like sanding and nailing down broken parts if any. But mostly I leave them as they are. I fall in love with the imperfections on their surfaces, the cracks and the broken edges. Sometimes these cracks dictate how my patterns will grow on the surface of the object.

The next step usually involves freehand drawing with white chalk on to the wooden surface. It is usually floral patterns and simple zentangle patterns. I love the bright colours and simplicity of drawing floral art. Drawing Zentangle patterns is almost like a meditation for me. The repeated and meticulous lines keep me in a very calm. zen like state. I colour and finish these drawings with my natural pigments. I hand make these earth pigments myself, from various flowers like marigold, plant roots like madder root and multi hued rocks. The final colour is mixed in with a medium made from acacia, and mixed in with a chalk base. It creates a natural Guache pigment for my sustainable artworks.

I love creating these upcycled art and functional pieces that are stylish, unique and filled with stories but what makes them even better is the fact that each one saves a tree.