Creating an artwork on a large scale can be a daunting task for any artist. But when I received my largest commission to date, I was excited to take on the challenge. The artwork, titled "Plastic in a wasted world," measured 130cm x 80cm and was made entirely of upcycled waste plastic heat fused together. It was a unique piece that I created it for Arty Rex, a local Art Collector who wanted to make a statement about our impact on the environment.
As the piece was so large, I had to break down the process into manageable stages. I spent a number of days carefully cutting and preparing the plastic materials, making sure that each piece was the right size and shape. I then used an industrial heat press to fuse the pieces together, creating a solid and durable base for the artwork.
Next came the artistic element. I carefully arranged the pieces to create the image that was in my mind, adding a few streaks of purple which came from a covid test package as per the client's request. This part was time-consuming as I wanted to make sure each piece was in the right place, and the colour scheme was cohesive.
Once the piece was complete, it was time to frame it. Arty Rex worked with @thebluehouseframer to choose the perfect frame to showcase the artwork and decided on a pitch black backing and slim black mount, which gave the artwork depth and made it stand out against the white wall it would be hung on.
One of the challenges of creating this piece was that I had to work on the finishing touches by hand with an iron on my kitchen floor. It was an unusual set-up, but I made it work. My cat Merlin kept me company, often curling up next to me while I worked.
The result was a stunning piece of art that conveyed a powerful message.
Overall, creating this artwork was an incredible experience. It was challenging, but also deeply satisfying. And I was proud to create something as large as it was, it has given me the confidence to know I am able to take on more on this scale.
