Making Something from Something
It’s long been observed that art is underappreciated. As an artist selling her work, I can tell you firsthand that this is true. Thousands of people have seen my work in many different venues over the years. I’ve lost count of the people who say my work is overpriced, or who intend to take a picture and make it themselves at home. Many think I’m wasting my time or resources on something frivolous, while others might think my work is lovely, but just not worth the cost. I do have amazing family and friends standing behind me and cheering me on, but the naysayers cause me to take a step back and reflect on why I do what I do.
Order from Disorder
I work mostly with wood. Walking into a hardware store and breathing in the earthy smell of wood stirs my creativity. My garage is usually full of wood, saws, and discarded treasures found at the side of the road (now covered in a thin layer of sawdust). My favorite place to be is in my garage working on new projects (and also covered in sawdust). It’s here that I can push the doubt aside and remember that part of God’s task for humanity is to continue his work of creating:
Whatever humanity does, it should be directed toward bringing order out of non-order. Our use of the environment should not impose disorder. This is not just a house that we inhabit; it is our divinely gifted home, and we are accountable for our use of it and work in it. —John H. Walton, The Lost World of Adam and Eve: Genesis 2–3 and the Human Origins Debate
Genesis 1 tells us that God took something formless and gave it meaning. He took chaos and brought order. We are all created in God’s image and called to do this same kind of work. When I take something that is worthless on its own and give it meaning, I am accomplishing the task that God has given me.
Creation Made New
A sign made from repurposed barn wood.
A few years ago, a huge, beautiful old barn was being torn down. It was a beloved landmark in the community, but it became unsafe in its old age. The barn was first used on a farm to hold animals. As the city grew and the farms moved away, it was converted into an amazing event venue for parties and weddings.
A lovely couple married in that barn twenty-five years ago. Their thoughtful children came to me and we hatched a plan. We got our hands on some of the wood after the demolition. I took the wood and painted a blessing on the front and put some hooks on the back to hang the finished piece on their wall. It was still heartbreaking that the building had to be taken down, but now a plank that could easily have been thrown away or burned was transformed into a beautiful memory and gift.
Most of the wood I use is reclaimed. I like to think of the word reclaimed as “something that was on its way to the dump now has a home.” My absolute favorite wood comes from the Urban Wood Coalition. They take the wood from trees that the city cuts down (usually due to storms or diseases) and they mill it and dry it. Normally that wood is destined for the chipper, but this group creates beautiful wood slabs with live edges (that’s where you can still see a little of the bark) that can be used for more than mulch!
An old headboard becomes a new bench!
Once a woman came to me with an amazing idea. Her family had owned the same property for many generations. Years ago, when her grandpa was young, he planted a tree. It had become a gigantic tree over the years. A bolt of lightning had brought the mighty tree down. The family had kept the trunk and she had a large slab (about 6 feet tall). She had me make it into a large ruler with the feet markers painted on so she could track the growth of her children on it. It turned out to be a lovely generational effort that will always be ripe with memories. The meaning of these pieces are so much greater than a gift bought from a big box store.
Bearing God’s Image
I also love collecting “junk” from the side of the road. I’ve saved many seemingly useless items from the landfill. I love to take old headboards and turn them into benches. Old bike wheels just scream that they want to be a funky front door wreath covered in flowers. An antique drawer with its dresser missing is asking to a side table.
Creating something from something that may seem like “nothing” to others is my way of bringing beauty into this world. It’s how I practice being an image bearer and connect with my creator.
Most of the wood I use is reclaimed. I like to think of the word reclaimed as “something that was on its way to the dump now has a home.” My absolute favorite wood comes from the Urban Wood Coalition. They take the wood from trees that the city cuts down (usually due to storms or diseases) and they mill it and dry it. Normally that wood is destined for the chipper, but this group creates beautiful wood slabs with live edges (that’s where you can still see a little of the bark) that can be used for more than mulch!
Once a woman came to me with an amazing idea. Her family had owned the same property for many generations. Years ago, when her grandpa was young, he planted a tree. It had become a gigantic tree over the years. A bolt of lightning had brought the mighty tree down. The family had kept the trunk and she had a large slab (about 6 feet tall). She had me make it into a large ruler with the feet markers painted on so she could track the growth of her children on it. It turned out to be a lovely generational effort that will always be ripe with memories. The meaning of these pieces are so much greater than a gift bought from a big box store.
Bearing God’s Image
I also love collecting “junk” from the side of the road. I’ve saved many seemingly useless items from the landfill. I love to take old headboards and turn them into benches. Old bike wheels just scream that they want to be a funky front door wreath covered in flowers. An antique drawer with its dresser missing is asking to a side table.
Creating something from something that may seem like “nothing” to others is my way of bringing beauty into this world. It’s how I practice being an image bearer and connect with my creator.
Emily Nelsen recently moved to Kansas City and specializes in making art from reclaimed wood and vintage finds. She has been honing her woodworking skills since 2015 and hopes to continue to create beautiful decor and furniture in her new city!