Why Upcycling?

Upcycling for me is a fun way to use my creativity without needing to spend a fortune on expensive canvases and art supplies. When I arrived in Freiburg I was instantly taken in by the 'zu verschenken' culture. People would leave a box in front of their home with their unwanted items that were too good to be thrown away. It's just by chance you will stumble accross something that you actually 'need' but for me it is simply the excitement of what I will find. I just have to take something with me and give it a new home and often a new look. Sometimes things are left outside too long in the hope that someone will take it and the previous owners are finally free from their burden. I have seen too often perfectly good books or items of furniture left for days outside in the rain. It makes me sad to think that although someone had meant well in giving these things away to a new home, many of them will never be useable again.  

My aim through "Paradise Bird - Art & Upcycling" is to show that it is possible to turn old, damaged and unloved items into amazing works of useable art. I hope to create fun, colourful, love-able designs that will inspire others and show that creativity is not something to be scared of. I have taught myself how to upcycle and have learnt the hard way, making mistakes and often starting again from scratch. That's fine. I don't look for items that are already in good condition. These can be used by someone in the current condition then I would rather leave them for someone else. I am excited by the old, unloved, unwanted stuff that I can bring back to life.      

I hope you enjoy looking through my portfolio and following my progress. You can always find my up to date work on my instagram page secretlifeofanartist.freiburg