Last year, while the Christmas tree for book lovers was all the rage, this year we’ve discovered a DIY idea just for artists (or art enthusiasts). The Painter’s Wreath by Cara Enteles was created using repurposed paint brushes, glue and wire.
“I am a painter,” she states. “My work is about environmental issues and man’s relationship with nature. I maintain a large organic garden upstate that informs my work. The wreaths are made from paint brushes that can’t be used anymore. They’re inspired by the principals of permaculture and translated to the painting studio. Permaculture is a self-maintained agricultural system, meaning there is no waste on a farm, rather everything operates in a closed circular system.
“Therefore the brushes have been repurposed into a sculpture. I don’t actually know how many brushes are in one. Counting the time it takes to collect that many spent brushes, the pieces take a long time to evolve. Each one is different.”
This colorful wreath was on view last year at the Wreath Interpretations show at the Arsenal Gallery inside New York’s Central Park. At this year’s event, held from December 13 to January 10, 2013, 42 fine artists have made the classic holiday symbol using everything from pistachio shells and stained glass to bicycle tubes and Chinese food containers. Sounds like a fun show!