An Interview with Lenore Solmo

From plastic - to fantastic! We chatted with local artist Lenore Solmo, whose masterful use of plastic jugs launched a unique artistic career. Using a heat gun, Lenore explores the "natural" shapes of plastic, turning them into creations with life.

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What does crafting/creating mean to you?

Being a maker means my hands are kept busy, and I love it that way. I always have a project or an idea for a new project. I've become a girl again, leaving a glorious mess of art supplies and works in progress in my wake.

What interests you about making upcycled and sustainable creations?

Art materials are all around us, overflowing on my Brooklyn streets, this is completely irresistible to me. The abundance of it, the surprise and endless variety, It's pure inspiration just walking out my door.

How long have you been teaching for?

I've been teaching up-cycled art classes for about five years. But honestly, teaching goes way back, during my long career in fashion accessories, I trained and mentored designers to design best sellers! The impulse to teach/share has always been there.

Are there any other crafts you enjoy?

I've recently become obsessed with packing tape transfer. You apply a piece of packing tape to a magazine image, soak it in water, rub off the paper and what's left is the ink transferred onto the tape, creating a translucent image that you can layer over other prints. 
I recently brought a roll of tape on vacation with me and had so much fun making transfers from European fashion magazines. All I carried home was an envelope of tape transfers, no bulky magazines, it was a perfect portable art project.

What inspires you to keep creating?

Well, I cannot NOT create.

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Join Lenore Solmo for a Bottle to Bauble class on Friday June 5 at 6:30p, where she will share the art of upcycling plastic to create one-of-a-kind decorative keychains. Register here: https://luma.com/l0grwmp2