Art Materials Wish List!

Surplus Materials for Sustainable Art Making: Used is Good!

In my art practice, as often as humanly possible, I use FREE, surplus, upcycled materials.  I tell people that if they have something they’re just going to throw away, and I can use it, then please throw it my way.  I’ll turn it into art.  That’s what brought about the idea of this page here on the Creative Harmonies blog.  You may have materials I can use, but you didn’t even know it – until now.  Now all you need do is shoot me an email (lcurtiss54@gmail.com) w/photo, please, of what you’re considering donating and let’s see what happens.

This is an ever-changing list of materials I use which allow me to practice upcycled, sustainable artmaking. I use your discards to create artworks, and keep these materials out of a landfill, while offering objects of beauty to enhance people’s lives.

I am looking for your surplus, no-longer needed, FREE materials in support of a sustainable art-practice. I need materials in good to excellent condition, so I am somewhat picky about what I can accept.  If you’re not sure whether I can use something, please send me an email-photo so I can better assess what you’re offering. I will reply promptly.

Thank you, in advance, for looking over this list and considering donating your surplus / unwanted materials to help me in my artmaking.

P A P E R – I use a broad variety of paper-stocks in my work, and have a rather frequent need for additional supply. I can use  all colors and textures in all weights (no tissue, gauze, or construction paper please.).

Here’s what I can use;

Roll Papers – butcher paper (any color) / packing paper (any color) / arts ‘n’ crafts papers / drafting vellum / any length & width.

Sheet & Pad Papers (all sizes) – craft / art, drawing, sketching / scrapbook / handmade.

File Folders – manila folders, hang-file folders, all colors and textures, both legal & letter sized.

Wallpaper / Borderpaper – I can make use of any and all patterns of these paper-stocks.

Edge-Perforated Fan-Fold Printer paper – I make books and paper pads out of this stuff, and it’s becoming somewhat rare. If you have any, either letter or legal sized, I’ll happily make use of it.

C O R D A G E / S T R I N G – I do bookbinding, and use a good deal of cordage, all weights, colors and types; Kite string, medium to heavy threads, twines of all kinds, jute, cotton, raffia. No poly-fishing line, or dental floss please.

C A R D  &  A R T B O A R D – I have NO NEED for corrugated cardboard. What I can use are all sorts of solid particleboard, artboards (Crescent, Hot Press, Cold Press, etc.) and the like, in all weights and sizes 8-1/2 x 11 and up.

M A S O N I T E (Tempered hardboard) – The primary substrate I mount my artwork onto is Masonite. I can use pieces 11”x14” up to 4′x8′ sheets. It can be second-hand, used, dinged, covered in paint, scratched, and somewhat worn.  I’ll clean it up and can still make use of it.

L A T E X P A I N T – What I need are pints, quarts, and half or full-gallon surplus latex paint. I cannot use and do not accept stain, or any solvent-based pigment products or adhesives. I am looking for colors, and currently have plenty of white, cream, off-white, and eggshell on hand. I need colors please, from pastels through deep, saturate pigments (black, brown, reds, blues, greens, yellows, etc.).

The paint needs to be clean, in good, sealed containers (no rust holes, and debris in the paint) which are half-full or better. No contractor’s 5-gallon buckets please unless it’s an intense color and in good condition.  In that case, if I can re-can it, I’ll take it.

F I N I S H – I use only WATER BASED (non-volatile) Polyurethane (i.e. Verithane) finish in gloss, satin and semi-gloss. I can use pints, quarts, half-gallons or better. It needs to be in good to excellent condition to be of any use, please.

A R T  E Q U I P M E N T – I am also looking for equipment and supplies such as;

Bookbinding Equipment & Tools; Shear, Papercutter, Screw-Press, Bonefolder, Brayer, Heavy Thread, Beeswax, Sewing Frame, Spine Press, etc.

Brushes – bristle brushes (no sponge please), house painting (all sizes), art/craft brushes (especially larger sizes), in good to excellent condition, please.

Color Pencils – I use color pencils extensively in my conceptual work as well in finished pieces.  They need to be the full-length, adult sized pencils, fat or slim.  Any brand will do nicely, thank you.

Stencils – Letters, Patterns, Designs, etc.

Stamps – Letters, designs, symbols, etc.

Mini-Rollers – I have handles, but I do use 4-inch/100mm foam paint rollers.

Markers – I use felt-tip markers of all sorts & types, Sharpies (thick & thin), Prismacolor, Marks-a-Lot, etc.; any color(s), any make/brand.

Masking Tape – I can use all widths, all colors.

Masking Paper – This is a brown wax paper with adhesive along one edge. I can use any width.

E M B E L L I S H M E N T S / F O U N D O B J E C T S – I use all sorts of items as embellishments for some of my artworks. Here’s a sample list so you get the idea;

Unusual buttons / fobs / medallions / costume jewelry / pop & beer-bottle caps / wine-bottle corks / metal tokens / metal tags / etc. I don’t need common flat buttons, thank you.  I have plenty.

I’m looking for things which resemble a cartouche, a fob, or a medal. If you’re not sure about something, please send me an email-photo if you have something you think I might be able to use (lcurtiss54@gmail.com).

T H A N K Y O U ! – That’s about it for now. As I said, needs change and so I will be updating the list periodically. Thank you again for supporting sustainable artmaking and for donating your unwanted/unneeded surplus materials which I can use to create artworks of beauty.

Lew Curtiss / lcurtiss54@gmail.com