From Trash to Future Art

Look around; being able to have an open mind about the “garbage” you might see will allow you to create things you either want or need. The word trash shouldn’t change your perspective on what you’re able to create. “Garbage” can be many different things: Wood, metal, screws, tools, etc. changing something deemed by society to be worthless and giving it value can in turn allow you to explore your creativity and can also allow you to earn money.

Something I want to create using “garbage” is an easel. Easels are self-supporting wooden frames that hold an artist's work while it's being painted, easels are very simple to create and will only require very few materials.

My easel requires:

• wood
• a hinge
• 10 screws
• a drill
• something that can be used to cut the wood (preferably a minor saw).

I went out and collected an abundance of wood that was being thrown out. After researching and designing ideas for my easel I chose two pieces of wood, one 2 inches by 12 feet and one 1 inch by 12 feet. shortly after I measured the center of the two pieces of wood and cut them with a minor saw this, in turn, left me with two 2-inch by 6 feet pieces of wood, and two one-inch by 6 feet pieces of wood.

I stood up my two 2 inches by 6 feet pieces of wood and connected them at the top while spreading the legs until the easel was to my liking. Additionally, I brought one of my two 1 inch by 6 feet pieces of wood and placed it two feet from the bottom of the easel, I made a mark with a marker revealing where the 1 inch by 6 feet piece of wood crossed my easel, and after doing so I cut the piece of wood at that point. I repeated that technique for the smaller additional support near the top of my easel, which prohibited the easel from separating. Before screwing in the pieces of wood for support make sure that they’re leveled, you can do this with a leveler tool. The bubble should appear to be in the center.

Now grab your hinge and place it in the center of the piece of wood (support piece of wood) near the top of the easel, after your screw it in connect the remaining 1 inch by 6 feet piece of wood to the hinge and screw it in making sure that the third leg remains standing straight throughout this process.

After your third leg is added and your easel can properly stand, place a stand for the paintings (a piece of wood) opposite to the lower piece of wood (support piece of wood). Make sure that the wood for the stand is leveled then screw it in. If you want to color the final product I recommend spray paint, and be sure to layer and wear a mask while doing so.

And with that we've finished, enjoy your new easel and create beautiful pieces of art while doing so.