Artist to Know - Mark Langan

There are so many amazing artist working with recycled materials.  When I found Mark I was memorized by what he does with cardboard.  I hope you enjoy his work as much as I do.

Mark Langan

Mark Langan is an Artist who resides from the Cleveland, Ohio suburb of Brunswick Hills. He creates fantastic sculptural works using nothing more than mere corrugated boxes, non-toxic glue, a razor knife, a cutting edge and mat.

Corrugated is the most recycled packaging material on Earth, with a recovery rate over 78 percent. Corrugated is used to ship 90% of all products in the U.S. Recycling one ton of corrugated saves nine cubic yards of landfill space and 46 gallons of oil.

What Mark has to say about corrugated art: "My personal interpretation to the term “Corrugated Art” is the celebration of the unique properties of a highly visible manufactured product for which it was not purportedly intended. Striving to artistically focus by highlighting those aesthetically characteristic qualities which otherwise would be unknowingly ignored."

His artwork currently adorns the boardrooms and lobbies from small to prominent firms throughout the U.S.

Read more about Mark and see more of his artwork on his website http://www.langanart.com/mark-langan-art.html.

Journal Prompt - Eavesdrop on a conversation

I have a creative friend who writes, does mixed media, paints, and teaches, and is always creating or thinking of creating.  

She was telling me one day that while she was sitting in a coffee shop with her journal, she would start jotting down sentences from people's conversations.

It was interesting to hear these sentences not knowing what the conversation was about.  She had taken these bits of conversation and used them in poetry she had written. These bits of the conversations made her poems insightful and very expressive.

Take your journal to a location where there are lots of people.  Jot down sentences, figures of speech, or words you hear.  If you would prefer do quick sketches of the things happening around you.  Either way you will have this info for future inspiration. 

I know for me just hearing a word or seeing something is all I need to be inspired, this exercise is the same way. Just hearing a few random conversations, can be a great way to generate new ideas.

Heard any good conversations lately?

Artists Inspiration - Colorstorydesigns

I am part of an Etsy team called Upcyclers.  It's a team with artists that reuse, repurpose, recycle, and upcycle . Today I am featuring a member of the team.  They create amazing pieces with recycled magazines, stop by their shop and see all of their must have items. 
Amy and Andrea thanks for taking the time to talk with us!

Pixel flower vase made from recycled magazines

Colorstorydesigns

Tell us a little about yourself and what you sell.
Why and how did you decide to work with upcycled/recycled/repurposed materials?

Hi there- we are Amy Gibson and Andrea Read and I (Amy) live outside of Seattle on Bainbridge Island, with my husband and my golden retriever/ large hairy first child - named Koa. We moved out here (from Tulsa) after collage and have since bought our first house and have begun making a life for ourselves. After architecture school (where I met my husband) I began the process of working in various architecture offices in the Seattle area. Andrea and I met while working at a large firm, and immediately became great friends. Soon after meeting, the economy began slowing and we put our heads together and came up with what is now… colorstory designs. Initially, we began working with magazines because of their color and we are able to get them donated to us from our local library system. Andrea and I both believe that recycling and repurposing materials is important and we love that these used magazines would otherwise be taken to the landfill. So we began coming up with ideas based on these very simple and abundant magazines.

Burst of brights picture frame

What inspires you to create/sell what you do?

I’ve always been drawn to color and texture and I find inspiration from everything in life. Nature is a beautiful place to look for color and texture. I never create anything that I can't imagine displaying in my own house. Also, I find very simple and clean shapes classic and beautiful and I think that colorstory designs reflects that perfectly.

Flutterby wings right side shadowbox

What is your favorite thing about creating/designing?

My favorite thing about creating/designing is knowing that something that I have created and put my heart in will now bring joy to someone else's family. I love making things with my hands and I never get tired of the fact that everything single item that I create is unique- it's like every piece is new every time! That also means that every customer gets to enjoy a truly one-of-a-kind piece of art and that is exciting.

Pixel votive holder 

You can find Colorstordesigns at:
website: www.colorstorydesigns.com
etsy: www.colorstorydesigns.etsy.com
facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/colorstory/105913713568?ref=ts

Who knew magazine scraps could look so amazing!

Repuprosing in your Art Studio

Anytime I can find ways to save money on supplies for my office I am thrilled.  If their is a opportunity to use something I already have I am twice as happy.

Today I have a list of everyday items that can be repurposed  to aid you in your office and studio.

○ Old credit cards are great for applying paint and adhesives.

○ Egg cartons make perfect paint palettes, they are also good for holding small objects.

○ Old or scratched sheets of Plexiglas from picture frames makes a great cutting board.

○ Baby food jars are good for mixing and storing paint as well as holding small objects, like buttons, sewing supplies or safety pins.

○ Plastic soda bottles make great funnels.  Cut off the bottom and they are ready to go.

○ Cardboard tubes like from paper towels are a great place to store paint brushes, just seal up one end.

These are just a few simple ideas to get you started.  Once you start looking around your home you will see all the possibilities.

What ideas do you have to share for repurposing in your office and studio?

Be Inspired - Wood

Words to Inspire

“Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.”
John Lubbock

Idea to Inspire

Have you ever looked at the bark on a tree? I mean really look at it?  Not only does it have a lot of texture but if you look at it up close the details are amazing.  Take a few minutes and explore the bark on different trees in you neighborhood.  Let the details and the textures inspire you.

Photos to Inspire

Today's photos are all about texture.  These amazing natural wood photos are full of colors, textures, and designs that can inspire new ideas.  All of these photos are from Flickr.com.


Wood grain swirl by Judith*Green


Wood Sculpture by Harry Halibut


Wood by *omnia*


Wood by Niquitin

Three Questions - Share Your Thoughts

Today I have 3 questions about going green answer one or all three.  I hope these questions will help us to start a conversation.  Share your thoughts and ideas!

Do you practice any green ideas in your work area?

Is reducing waste important to you?

Is buying or using things that are recycled important to you?

Have a idea for going green in your work area you want to share?  We would love to hear it.

Learning to "Go Green"

"Design can eliminate the concept of waste, producing perpetual assets rather then perpetual liabilities."
William McDonough

The green movement is about consuming less, reusing more, and being mindful about our impact on the environment and our health.

As artists going green means something different to everyone.  Maybe using different materials, reusing supplies from old projects, recycling, working with items normally thrown away, or creating your own supplies. For some the green movement is just a marketing tool to get consumers to to choose their product over someone else.

Personally I'm learning what I can do so I can do more. I recently found a new recycling center full of machine parts and lots of interesting hardware.  I was really excited to find this new place, and I spent over an hour with my sister getting really dirty, and cold toes (no heat) while hunting for exciting new hardware. I came home with 12 lbs. (yes I mean pounds) of new hardware, I can't wait to start creating.

Besides working with the recycled hardware, I recycle paper, and old jewelry that I take apart and reuse for parts.  I could be doing more.  As I research for this months blog posts, I plan on leaning new ideas that I can put into practice.

There is a amazing amount of information about going green online.  One fact I learned is you don't have to be extreme. Start with simple things, making small choices everyday will make a difference.

What small step do you do to be green?

It's April

I can't believe it's April already.

I am looking forward to warmer weather, brighter days, and everything turning green.

This month is going to be all about my Etsy shop and my blog.  I have lots of plans and growing my business is my top priority.

I am going to put in more effort in my Etsy shop by trying to get at least five sales a week all month long. This is going to involve renewing daily, hitting up all the social media outlets daily, and adding new items to my Etsy shop every single day during the month.

I am also really excited about this months blog content.  It's going to be all about going green and being green.  Including creative ideas, artist interviews, being inspired, and ideas about green living and working.


Are you into being green?  Want to be a guest blogger?  Be a guest blogger on Everyday Inspired and promote your shop and blog.  Email me with ideas at additionsstyleblog@gmail.com.  Do you have a  idea and suggestion for a being green blog post, contact me.

Looking for a inexpensive advertise opportunity? Advertise on Everyday Inspired! Purchase a month of advertising during the month of April and get a month FREE.  This is going to be a one time offer so don't miss out.  Click here for more information.

I am going to be busy this month, what kind of plans do you have?