How to be an Environmentally Conscious Artist

When Jacob and I met, we were both art students. Throughout our journey to live a more sustainable life, we have found that in the art world, it is not always easy to be kind to the earth. That does not mean it is impossible! Here are a few ways to continue to be an artist, and still have a better impact on the planet:

Choose second hand first, always. If you have friends who also make art, consider asking them if they have any supplies they are no longer using. A lot of art students buy supplies because they are asked to at the beginning of the semester and afterwards they sit there with the rest of their supplies, untouched and collecting dust. You would also be surprised what you can find at the thrift store - canvases (they might have a painting on them, but you can gesso over it and reuse it!), colored pencils, sketchbooks that are unused or barely used, frames to frame your art, cameras, and so much more. Not only is it cheaper than buying new, but you are also saving products from ending up in a landfill and not creating a demand for new products to be made. 

Likewise, if you have supplies you are no longer using, we encourage you to ask any friends if they want them or donate them to an organization like SCRAP!

When you have an art supply, use it all up before getting new items. Use pencils until they are nubs, finish an entire sketchbook, use all paint from the tube, use markers until they are dry, feel responsible to use it all up.

Look for reusable art supplies. Micron pens used to be a staple art supply in our toolbox. @jakesetradio switched to a refillable ink pen. You still have to buy the ink, but there are no more plastic pens involved, greatly reducing the waste created. 

Consider buying sketchbooks from recycled paper. Ultimately, if you recycle but don’t buy products from recycled materials, are you really helping the cycle?

Always properly dispose of chemicals and other art products. Never throw away chemicals or wash them down your sink. Those are toxic materials and will go into the environment! You have a couple options: Check with your local trash pickup if/when they are doing hazardous waste pickup. If you are an art student, you likely have access to your school’s resources to dispose of chemicals. If you live close to a university, but don’t attend, it may be worth checking with them if you could pay a fee to dispose. You can also check with any local galleries, studio spaces, or art supply stores if they have a place to dispose chemicals.

TerraCycle also now has an art supply recycling box! They accept: Paint brushes, paint tubes/cans/bottles, watercolors, crayons, charcoals, canvases, sponges, notebooks, easels, markers, tape, and paint remover bottles. Though we do realize it is a privilege to be able to afford one of these as a personal artist (a small box retails at $117, medium at $222). You might have to do a little bit of activism to get one set up, but that’s the price of caring for the earth! If you are a student, ask your art department if they would be willing to set one up. You could ask artist friends to go in on a box and split the cost, ask your local art supply store if they would be willing to get one and set it up in the store for customers, or if you can afford it yourself, think of it as another necessary supply. 

Although it is not everyone’s choice medium, going digital completely reduces the need for supplies, greatly reducing your waste. 

Get creative! After all, you are an artist.

How do you stay sustainable while being an artist?