The well-being of people, animals and the planet are closely related and the strain that we, as humans, have put on the environment is too important to ignore. Therefore, in addition to my personal inclination towards living a sustainable lifestyle, I am committed to making my art as sustainably as possible. This includes using repurposed or recycled packaging materials, choosing a greener shipping provider and donating a portion of every painting sold to charities fighting to protect the planet.

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My canvases are made from 100% linen which is one of the most sustainable natural fibers and also offers superior quality. The more widely used cotton canvases require more energy, land and water, produce more greenhouse gases and are typically made with lots of pesticides. Linen is made from the fibers of the flax plant which are harvested in Western Europe, which is where I am based, reducing the distance the material has to travel. On the other hand, cotton is largely produced in India, Africa and the Americas. Linen is also stronger and more durable than cotton and linen threads are less prone to expansion and contraction, increasing the longevity of the canvas. I do have a few paintings on cotton canvases for sale from using materials that I already owned and did not wish to throw away. The materials are noted in the painting descriptions.

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I use minimal amounts of walnut oil and spike lavender oil instead of traditionally used solvents which release harmful vapors, pose health risks and are detrimental to the environment. I use water miscible oil paints which allow me to clean my brushes with water instead of these solvents.

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I am always interested to hear how other artists are making their work more sustainable, so we can share our knowledge and help lower our collective carbon footprint. Please message me with any ideas, suggestions or other helpful comments!

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info@liamaraart.com