World Environment Day is soon upon us, and that means it’s time to take a hard look at how we’re all reducing our impact on this beautiful place we call Mother Earth. After all, there’s only one, so let’s treat her right!
So, what can you do to adopt sustainable practices to reduce your environmental impact as an artist? We’ve put together our top 5 tips for improving sustainable practices in art, and the good news is that they’re quick and easy changes you can make.
At PrinTribe, we take sustainability seriously. We’re dedicated to reducing, reusing, and recycling to minimise our impact on the environment. This also means we’re passionate about helping you, the artists, find more ways to minimise your carbon footprint and help you do your part.
One quick disclaimer before jumping in: Don’t forget that you’re only human! Being sustainable isn’t about shaming anyone, it’s about doing your best. With these small changes, you can feel good that you’re making a difference and doing your part.
Without further ado, let’s explore how you can be more eco-conscious with these simple top tips!
Reuse Canvases
For those of you that use canvases to create, think about reusing them instead of throwing them out. Ever painted something but ended up not loving how it turned out? Most of us would throw it away, but rather than letting the canvas meet its fate in the landfill, simply paint over it! With a few coats, you’ll never know the original artwork was underneath.
Here are a few tips on how to reuse your canvases:
Use Eco-Friendly Products
Look out for art supplies that are labelled as eco-friendly, non-toxic, or made from recycled materials. Check the warning labels and steer clear of chemicals such as lead, trichloroethylene, cadmium, and formaldehyde.
The best alternatives? Things like water-based paints or egg tempura. Most acrylic paints nowadays are water-based anyway, which means the paint washes away when water is applied – just always verify that the paint you’re getting is non-toxic and has low or no VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
Also make a swap and choose eco-friendly solvents to thin your paint, like linseed oil or walnut oil. Other products you can buy that are environmentally friendly include glue, markers, spray paint, easels, pencils, brushes, portfolios, and more.
Explore Mixed Media
If you’ve ever wanted to experiment with different materials, now’s the perfect time! Exploring mixed media in your art is an excellent way to be more thoughtful about your environmental impact.
Consider recycling and repurposing materials by incorporating recycling into your artistic process. Reuse and repurpose different materials by visiting and exploring thrift stores, garage sales, or even take a look at your own collection of unused items and art materials you haven’t touched in a while.
Digital art creation is another alternative or additional type of art you can explore if you haven’t already. Digital art reduces the consumption of physical materials and eliminates the need for transportation and storage of supplies.
Minimise Waste
During the planning stages before you start creating, practice mindful consumption by only purchasing art supplies that you really need. It may seem obvious, but it’s only human to go a little overboard and buy things that you won’t necessarily use. Here are some tips for pre-art creation:
Being earth-conscious doesn’t stop when you’ve finished creating – there are also ways you can make a difference after you’ve put down the paintbrush!
Check out our tips for minimising waste while you paint:
Use Businesses that are Sustainable
Whether it’s a gallery down the road from you or an art supply store, do your best to associate yourself with companies that prioritise sustainable practices. Look for galleries that promote eco-friendly systems such as using energy efficient lighting, encouraging digital submissions, or supporting sustainable transportation options for visitors.
It’s no different when selling your art, too. When looking for a print-on-demand company to sell your art, choose a business like PrinTribe that is truly committed to sustainable practices. With so many factors to consider from printing to transportation, it’s important to know how your art is being produced, how it’s being packaged, and how it’s being delivered to your customers.
PrinTribe is dedicated to enforcing sustainable practices. We do our due diligence to remain ecologically responsible to reduce our impact on the environment.
Here’s how we’re doing our part:
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you’d like to know more about our sustainability practices.
Remember, sustainability is an ongoing journey and every small step counts. By incorporating these sustainable practices in your artistic process and choosing companies like PrinTribe who are dedicated to reducing their environmental impact, you can contribute to an eco-friendlier creative community and inspire others to do the same.
Ready to take your first step towards being a more environmentally responsible artist? Join PrinTribe for free today and sell your art the earth-conscious way.
