40 Found Art Blogs - What a Find!

When you see an old button lying on the sidewalk, what do you do? Do you walk on by, hoping that the owner will find his or her lost button? Do you pick it up and throw it in the trash? Or do you start envisioning a brilliant work of art using this recycled object?

Many artists use recycled, reclaimed, or found objects to create new pieces of art. Check out the blogs and websites listed below to see what some of these artists are creating with these unique and creative materials.

Top Five Found Art Blogs - The Rest of the Best Blogs
Other Great Found Art Resources

Top Five Found Art Blogs

• Accidental Mysteries features a plethora of art, such as photography, architecture, found objects, illustration, and vintage stuff. This is a truly eclectic blog for the artist interested in a little bit of everything.
• Artist at Exit 0 Riverblog features the artwork of Albertus Gorman, an artist who lives and creates in Louisville, Kentucky. His creative approach blends environmental issues with art.
• Ashwinstudio creates furniture, paintings, and sculpture from reclaimed materials. Check out her creative designs on this blog.
• Drawn is a blog that features pieces of art created by artists that use recycled materials. Don't miss the robots, mechanical insect art, and sculptures.
• Rosa Murillo created this blog to share her love of found art. Check out the art that Rosa leaves in various public places, and be inspired to create your own!

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The Rest of the Best Blogs

• The Art of Carmen Hickson is the personal blog of an artist who creates collages, sculptures, and other mixed media arts. Her supplies come from dumpsters, recycling centers, and generous donations.
• The Art of Drew Edward Johnson is a blog that includes sketches and artwork from illustrator Drew Johnson. Check out his creative comics at his blog.
• The Art is Found encourages people to look at the world unconventionally to see the art that surrounds them. Check out the beautiful art that the many contributors post on the blog.
• Artful Musings of Kathy LaRocco is a blog from a stay-at-home mom who rediscovered her love for art. She primarily creates mixed media and collage art, incorporating materials such as old photos, watercolors, inks, paper, and scraps of just about anything.
• Bathroom Bar Art features photographs of colorful art and graffiti found in bathrooms in bars.
• Beyond Garbage Blog is a hub for artists that use recycled materials. This comprehensive resource has links to recycled art contests, exhibits, and galleries.
• Cult Case has archives of recycled art ideas. Be inspired by these very creative approaches to using recycled materials to create art!
• Erik R Davis sells his recycled art pieces on this blog. Enjoy his insightful musings as you explore how to create art from recycled materials.
• Found-Art profiles the art of Beanie Mouse. She leaves artwork all over the world, and then chronicles its return on her blog. Check out the exciting life of “found” Beanie Mouse art!
• The Found Object Art of Antony James Kughes features the work of a self-taught artist who uses found objects and junk to express his emotions.
• Fubalu is a blog that captures images of street art primarily in Zurich, Switzerland. From simple to detailed, enjoy this glimpse into street art.
• Handmade Spark is a site for buyers and sellers of handmade art. Many of these buyers and sellers are interested in recycled art, so the blog provides articles and tips for artists who use recycled materials in their work.
• I am Boey draws on Styrofoam cups. Check out his eclectic art and other musings at his blog and website.
• It's All About Us features the work of an avid scrapbooker/stamper who uses some reclaimed materials in her work.
• JafaBrit's Art is a blog created by a multi-media artist. She calls her blog a “virtual sketchbook,” and includes bits of art, life reflections, and inspiration on it.
• Lalithakalaa features the art of a family of amateur artists. Check out their creativity and use of recycled materials!
• Narlin's Mouthful features an article on John Dahlsen and Kim Groff-Harrington, two artists who use recycled materials to create beautiful art.
• New Britain Museum of American Art provides a short article about how artists are embracing the green movement by incorporating recycled materials into their work.
• Recycle, Reuse, Recreate is an article about a challenge from the Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts (M.E.C.C.A.). Check out how artists used recycled materials to create new pieces of art in this recycled art challenge!
• Robayne is a graphic designer who also blogs about her love of found art. She shares tutorials, inspirations, and more on her blog.
• Sandy Lang wrote an article about artist John Duckworth. His studio is in a renovated barn full of mismatched items. Instead of replacing them, Duckworth tells his visitors about the origin of each element and why it is important in his studio.
• Sawdust and Paper Scraps, a blog by a stay-at-home-mom with plenty of creative inspiration for her house, describes how to create your own picture frame made out of recycled wood.
• Small Studio demonstrates how to make something beautiful out of old clocks. It's truly a piece worth your time.
• Spirit's Journey Designs features creative altered art from a jewelry-maker. Don't miss the creative mash-ups of art found on this blog!
• Threadbanger demonstrates some creative ways to re-use old zippers. Zipper lamps, headbands, flowers, chokers, and purses are just a few of the creative ideas featured in this article.
• Unique Folk Art features different artists that create folk art, outsider art, crafts, and found art. This is a great resource for learning about what different artists are up to!

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Other Great Found Art Resources

• Craft Gossip is a website for crafters that includes helpful tips and advice for creating your own recycled art. Check out what other artists are innovating on this comprehensive site.
• Craft: Transforming Traditional Crafts features a small article about Michelle Stitzlein, an artist who uses recycled materials to create beautiful wall-mounted moth sculptures.
• Found Magazine started when some friends found a note intended for someone else on their car. After sharing the note with a number of other friends, this group realized that people are interested in “found” items. So, Found Magazine was born. Explore what other people have found or post your own findings on this website.
• The Green Chair Project, a Seattle-based organization, is dedicated to providing artists with resources for promoting environmental responsibility through art. Check out available workshops, artist bios, and other tips for becoming an environmentally-responsible artist.
• Gypsy Ink is the website of Leeana Tankersley, the author of Found Art: Discovering Beauty in Foreign Places . In this book, Tankersley weaves images of found art through a memoir of her year of living in Afghanistan.
• Hadar Metal Design uses reclaimed building materials to create metal art sculptures. An emphasis on environmental sustainability can be found in this innovative art studio.
• Lost and Found Art uses recycled art to create new pieces. The artist believes that recycling is taken to another level when unwanted and discarded items are reclaimed and made beautiful through art.
• Recycled Art is a place for artists to network, be inspired, and discuss art made from recycled materials. Purchase and sell art made from recycled materials, learn about recycled art techniques, and learn about recycled art events around the country.
• Web Urbanist features an article that highlights the work of seven artists who use trash to create art. From HA Schult's “trash people,” to Tim Noble and Sue Webster's use of trash and shadows, be inspired by how these artists are creating beautiful things out of garbage.

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