Reclaimed Art

The project:

I love using repurposed materials for mixed media projects—a practice rooted in my frugal, Czech, small-town upbringing where maximizing available resources was a way of life. When creating art or tackling other creative projects, I instinctively turn to what’s free and accessible. This approach adds constraints but also sparks creativity, transforming trash into treasure.

One of my favorite pieces, and the project where I first learned to use power tools, is a reclaimed mixed-media Texas piece made entirely from scraps from our first home remodel. It features trim, baseboards, shelving hangers, fence wood, old screws, wall paneling, and a delivery pallet as the base. This piece won first place in mixed media at a corporate On My Own Time Art Show and was later featured in NorthPark Center in Dallas.

I’ve also used repurposed materials like 1,400 bottle caps for a bar top, hundreds of wine corks, remodeling scraps, leftover wood, window blinds, Craigslist furniture, discarded frames, old art, and more. Each piece carries a unique story, making the art even more meaningful.