Repurposed Canvas

 

We were out for a walk in our neighbourhood last week, on one of the sweltering "heat dome" days, when we happened across a yard sale.  As Heather shopped for a couple of different things, Jessica, the owner, came up to me and asked: "Are you those artists?"

"Yes," I answered haltingly.

"Can you use these canvases?" she asked pointing to a couple of paintings laid out on the grass.  "I'd happily give them to you if you can use them."

"Sure," I said without hesitation.  I have a secret affection for painting on canvases that have previously been painted on.

The first, a 24" x 24" canvas, turned into a portrait of Abraham Lincoln.

Lincoln: Dignity and Dissonance
24" x 24", acrylic on repurposed canvas

The second, a 24" x 48", became a painting of a grizzly cub that we saw just a week or two earlier.

Kananaskis Morning (Grizzly Cub)
24" x 48", acrylic on repurposed canvas

I love the unplanned textural surprises that happen when you paint over other peoples' unfinished works, or even completed paintings that are ready to be turned into something else. 

Jessica's unexpected kindness in offering us these canvases and the paintings that resulted have me thinking of a potential fundraiser.  What if....

...we put a call out for used canvases that we can repurpose...

...we gather a collection of willing visual artists...

...we all create new work together in a public place for the public to watch...

All the paintings on repurposed canvases could be auctioned off with proceeds going to charity.  I can only speak for myself and Heather, as we've talked about the idea, but we would be thrilled to be a part of this kind of creative fundraising effort.  What do you think?