What better way to add some country style to your kitchen or weekend home than by adding some original art painted directly on a rustic chunk of reclaimed wood.

The original acrylic paintings pictured here are part of a series of food-based designs created by the husband and wife team of John and Gigi. All of the reclaimed boards in the series are chosen for their natural beauty and innate character. The calligraphy is hand painted and each piece is signed and dated by the artist Gigi.

Find these pieces and many more @ the John and Gigi at Home Etsy shop.

Artist and artisan, Bonnie Stone, recovers vintage bath tubs like the one pictured above, from demolished homes. Instead of sending the tub to a landfill or scrap company Bonnie painstakingly restores the tub’s interior and exterior finishes and then hand paints the tub with an artisan design. You can purchase this cast iron claw foot tub (it’s super heavy) at Bonnie’s paintintheair Etsy Shop. Oh, by the way, the claw feet are original and you’ll have to add your own fixtures. Custom designs are available.

via: Anything Indie

Our never-ending search for art that features reclaimed or recycled materials continues. Artist Sayaka Kajita Ganz creates her striking sculptures from reclaimed scrap metal, plastic and an eclectic assortment of junk, debris and refuse. She specializes in mammals, reptiles and birds.

That abstract visage staring back at you (above) was created from recycled paper. Artist Nick Georgiou transforms recycled print materials into transfixing art pieces and sculptures. He tries to keep it local – garnering discarded newspapers, magazines and books from his immediate surroundings, which, for the past two years has been Tuscon, AZ. (more…)

Recovering and reusing materials from the industrial waste stream has now become an art form: case in point, the work of French designer Francois Stanker. I’ve been following Francois’ fascinating work for a few years now, and thought I’d feature some of his more recent creations. He specializes in transforming industrial steel drums into fascinating designer furniture like his ‘Skank’ rocker (pictured above) which was created from the commingling of painted school chairs, an industrial steel drum, bed slats and some bike inner tubes.

Stanker’s ‘Bronx 9 Up!’ (above) lighting seat was created from a steel container that developed its character in its previous life as a drum played by the the techno-industrial drum band, Les Tambours Du Bronx. Oh, the seat also lights up via an energy efficient light bulb.

The ‘Ernie’ slat bench (below) is primarily constructed from one half of a steel drum and recycled bed slats. Another fine example of art meets functional furniture by Stanker Design.

related: more design finds

Blik and artists from Threadless collaborate once again by launching Pattern Wall Tiles – five new collections of “green” surface tiles that are eco-friendly, non-toxic and free of both PVC and phthalates. No messy, smelly glue required.

These self adhesive tiles offer a great way to kick up the design factor of any surfaces that may not be ideal for full coverage of pattern or paint — an accent over a bed, behind a chair or an interior door or kitchen cabinet. What we also like about these trippy tiles is that they’re removable so you can easily change things around.

Check out Bird Flurry, Ten, Psychedelic Garden, Trees and Take Shape Furs, (photo above), available for $39 — each individual Pattern Wall Tile is sold in a set of two or four tiles that covers 16 square feet of space.

In total, Blik now offers over 200 designs, from whimsical to sophisticated, of self sticking decorative tiles for any smooth, flat surface.

Cool things can often be created from unexpected raw materials. A case in point, The Watchman (above), a salvage art assemblage consisting of an eclectic mix of repurposed clock parts, upcycled watches and an assortment of found items and reclaimed hardware.

The Watchman’s eyes are roller bearings that can cast their gaze in whatever direction you choose. The whole deal is mounted on an antique wood slab that adds another level of visual texture and character. The piece is the first of four pieces in bearpawrustics’ Workman line. You can find it at the artist’s Etsy Shop.

Rich Morrison (above, R) is an international surf artist known for his experimental art and an appreciation for nature.

Morrison’s latest piece is a functional surfboard made from 72 beer cans. Rich was able to construct this unique board with the aid and expertise of surfboard maker Gary Seagraves.

Rich’s love for the environment (and maybe, beer) inspired the use of recyclables to create this tasteful ride.

The beer cans are coated in polyurethane and epoxy to provide a sturdy base for the board.

It’s part of Morrison’s Enviro Surf Art Series, and will be tested in the ocean very soon. Surf on over to the Enviro Surf Art Series on Facebook.

related: other products made with recycled materials

via: trendhunter

Artist Kevin Cyr’s Home in the Weeds art installation is a personal reaction to the fragility of our society today. His work expresses a unique take on downsizing, self-sufficiency and resourcefulness.

These photos (above and below) are of his solo exhibit featuring works like Little Tag Along, Shanty Shack and Cabin Tent on display at 941 Geary in San Francisco now through June 4, 2011.

Anyone of a certain age, like myself, can appreciate his retro meets modern sensibilities. On a very simple level, Little Tag Along‘s bicycle hauling a mini trailer seems the pared down and even more ecofriendly version of a Tiny Tumbleweed (portable) Home – proving once again that you can take it with you. (more…)