The word Reciclarte is a combination of the two Spanish words: reciclar (recycle) and arte (art). Garbage is diamonds in the rough, an abundant source of raw material that sprouts like seeds to reveal their inner beauty. All this with the help of some paint, love, and a kick of creativity. They are everywhere, back yards, thrift stores, alleys, attics, under the bed, you name it. Many are donated to me by people who also care about the environment and know I can give them a second lease in life. Among some of those treasures are newspapers, bottles, cans, old clothes, furniture, empty frames, wine corks, and more. I see beauty where others see only dirt and grime. As I work on a piece, I have to listen to it. It talks to me and guides me.
Even though I try to use as much recycled material as possible, it is not always the case. I work with what I can get my hands on, and complement with other newer material. There will be some discrepancies in color, shape, size, texture, and other details resulting in pieces that are one of a kind. So keep that in mind when purchasing my art.
Humanity has always had a symbiotic relationship with Mother Earth, and our ancestors understood this and respected this connection. However, human ignorance and greed are severing that symbolic umbilical cord without realizing that it is a total self-annihilation. Air & water pollution, deforestation, over-fishing are just a few of the many problems. I am not a perfect human being, but I try to educate myself on these matters because it ends up affecting me one way or another. I can't change the world by myself, but I don't want to be just another bystander watching the world fall apart without moving a finger. Everybody has a way of fighting evil. I decided a long time ago that art would be my weapon.
When people ask me, What is Reciclarte? the best way to describe it is by using a metaphorical equation:
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