we’re in trouble global warming species extinction water
global warming species extinction water
global warming species extinction water scarcity the list goes on and on
scarcity the list goes on and on
scarcity the list goes on and on we know the list what can we do about
we know the list what can we do about
we know the list what can we do about him
him
him I’m an artist and so I decided to start
I’m an artist and so I decided to start
I’m an artist and so I decided to start working on these crises by developing a
working on these crises by developing a
working on these crises by developing a sustainable art studio practice because
sustainable art studio practice because
sustainable art studio practice because an artist studio practice is actually
an artist studio practice is actually
an artist studio practice is actually like a small manufacturing enterprise we
like a small manufacturing enterprise we
like a small manufacturing enterprise we purchase raw and component materials in
purchase raw and component materials in
purchase raw and component materials in the case of a painter these might be
the case of a painter these might be
the case of a painter these might be paintbrushes and canvases and from these
paintbrushes and canvases and from these
paintbrushes and canvases and from these we actually develop an item that will be
we actually develop an item that will be
we actually develop an item that will be for distribution or sale say like a
for distribution or sale say like a
for distribution or sale say like a painting you know there’s a lot of
painting you know there’s a lot of
painting you know there’s a lot of different ways that you can actually
different ways that you can actually
different ways that you can actually create a sustainable art practice you
create a sustainable art practice you
create a sustainable art practice you can conserve water
can conserve water
can conserve water you can source your electricity from
you can source your electricity from
you can source your electricity from green energy and you can also purchase
green energy and you can also purchase
green energy and you can also purchase carbon offset credits to offset the
carbon offset credits to offset the
carbon offset credits to offset the greenhouse gases that are produced from
greenhouse gases that are produced from
greenhouse gases that are produced from your practice so an offset a carbon
your practice so an offset a carbon
your practice so an offset a carbon offset is essentially a reduction in
offset is essentially a reduction in
offset is essentially a reduction in emissions over here that offsets the
emissions over here that offsets the
emissions over here that offsets the emissions of carbon over here creating a
emissions of carbon over here creating a
emissions of carbon over here creating a balance and therefore a carbon neutral
balance and therefore a carbon neutral
balance and therefore a carbon neutral situation so I actually worked with
situation so I actually worked with
situation so I actually worked with carbonfund.org and we created a rubric
carbonfund.org and we created a rubric
carbonfund.org and we created a rubric that would make it very simple for
that would make it very simple for
that would make it very simple for artists to click a button and carbon
artists to click a button and carbon
artists to click a button and carbon offset there our practice to make it
offset there our practice to make it
offset there our practice to make it neutral so okay so many other things I
neutral so okay so many other things I
neutral so okay so many other things I did which is maybe not as serious but
did which is maybe not as serious but
did which is maybe not as serious but certainly a lot of fun for me is I
certainly a lot of fun for me is I
certainly a lot of fun for me is I actually offset the Mona Lisa so a lot
actually offset the Mona Lisa so a lot
actually offset the Mona Lisa so a lot of our historians who asked me not to
of our historians who asked me not to
of our historians who asked me not to use their names because they didn’t want
use their names because they didn’t want
use their names because they didn’t want the reputations ruined by this highly
the reputations ruined by this highly
the reputations ruined by this highly speculative endeavor but we got a lot of
speculative endeavor but we got a lot of
speculative endeavor but we got a lot of information about how Leonardo worked
information about how Leonardo worked
information about how Leonardo worked while he was making the Mona Lisa
while he was making the Mona Lisa
while he was making the Mona Lisa we made an estimation of how much
we made an estimation of how much
we made an estimation of how much greenhouse gas he produced and then we
greenhouse gas he produced and then we
greenhouse gas he produced and then we purchased um carbon offset credits and
purchased um carbon offset credits and
purchased um carbon offset credits and so I sent a letter to the Louvre
so I sent a letter to the Louvre
so I sent a letter to the Louvre actually congratulating them on the
actually congratulating them on the
actually congratulating them on the carbon neutral status of their Mona Lisa
carbon neutral status of their Mona Lisa
carbon neutral status of their Mona Lisa and you know I didn’t hear back just
and you know I didn’t hear back just
and you know I didn’t hear back just um so I’ve always been an
um so I’ve always been an
um so I’ve always been an environmentalist but this push towards
environmentalist but this push towards
environmentalist but this push towards sustainability itself really came about
sustainability itself really came about
sustainability itself really came about because of a large art installation
because of a large art installation
because of a large art installation project that I was working on titled
project that I was working on titled
project that I was working on titled scale and in scale I worked with an
scale and in scale I worked with an
scale and in scale I worked with an incredible array of people in a large
incredible array of people in a large
incredible array of people in a large collaborative team there were dozens of
collaborative team there were dozens of
collaborative team there were dozens of artists students and community members
artists students and community members
artists students and community members that were helping us this is one of the
that were helping us this is one of the
that were helping us this is one of the pieces from that this is actually a
pieces from that this is actually a
pieces from that this is actually a drawing that’s 26 meters by 3 meters
drawing that’s 26 meters by 3 meters
drawing that’s 26 meters by 3 meters high it was hand made out of charcoal of
high it was hand made out of charcoal of
high it was hand made out of charcoal of the Milky Way galaxy so the purpose of
the Milky Way galaxy so the purpose of
the Milky Way galaxy so the purpose of scale was to actually demonstrate how
scale was to actually demonstrate how
scale was to actually demonstrate how infinitely small humankind is versus the
infinitely small humankind is versus the
infinitely small humankind is versus the expanse of the universe the goal there
expanse of the universe the goal there
expanse of the universe the goal there was to actually reveal the
was to actually reveal the
was to actually reveal the ridiculousness of our petty differences
ridiculousness of our petty differences
ridiculousness of our petty differences and it may have been like slightly over
and it may have been like slightly over
and it may have been like slightly over ambitious but you know I really wanted
ambitious but you know I really wanted
ambitious but you know I really wanted to go after it but in order to be
to go after it but in order to be
to go after it but in order to be accurate about the scale of humans in
accurate about the scale of humans in
accurate about the scale of humans in the scale of the universe I needed the
the scale of the universe I needed the
the scale of the universe I needed the help of some astrophysicists now I had
help of some astrophysicists now I had
help of some astrophysicists now I had just recently moved to Athens Ohio where
just recently moved to Athens Ohio where
just recently moved to Athens Ohio where I accepted a position as a professor of
I accepted a position as a professor of
I accepted a position as a professor of art at Ohio University and I didn’t know
art at Ohio University and I didn’t know
art at Ohio University and I didn’t know anybody but I found two scientists who
anybody but I found two scientists who
anybody but I found two scientists who were willing to meet me just before I go
were willing to meet me just before I go
were willing to meet me just before I go to the meeting my wife said don’t scare
to the meeting my wife said don’t scare
to the meeting my wife said don’t scare them and as totally it’s totally valid
them and as totally it’s totally valid
them and as totally it’s totally valid warning because artists you know we oh
warning because artists you know we oh
warning because artists you know we oh you know I’ve got a reputation mmm it’s
you know I’ve got a reputation mmm it’s
you know I’ve got a reputation mmm it’s totally like warranted so I go to the
totally like warranted so I go to the
totally like warranted so I go to the meeting very calmly not to scare the
meeting very calmly not to scare the
meeting very calmly not to scare the scientists you know and it was amazing
scientists you know and it was amazing
scientists you know and it was amazing because artists who think they’re
because artists who think they’re
because artists who think they’re passionate need to start hanging out
passionate need to start hanging out
passionate need to start hanging out with some scientists because you’re
with some scientists because you’re
with some scientists because you’re gonna have to up your game I found
gonna have to up your game I found
gonna have to up your game I found really kindred spirits in the form of
really kindred spirits in the form of
really kindred spirits in the form of dr. Mangala Sharma who’s there in a teal
dr. Mangala Sharma who’s there in a teal
dr. Mangala Sharma who’s there in a teal dress on the left and dr. Tom Statler
dress on the left and dr. Tom Statler
dress on the left and dr. Tom Statler who’s in the cool leather jacket they’re
who’s in the cool leather jacket they’re
who’s in the cool leather jacket they’re talking by the way to dr. Seth Shostak
talking by the way to dr. Seth Shostak
talking by the way to dr. Seth Shostak who’s the senior astronomer at the SETI
who’s the senior astronomer at the SETI
who’s the senior astronomer at the SETI Institute which is the search for
Institute which is the search for
Institute which is the search for extraterrestrial intelligence and that’s
extraterrestrial intelligence and that’s
extraterrestrial intelligence and that’s a fun got to talk to him so what
a fun got to talk to him so what
a fun got to talk to him so what happened is that these scientists who
happened is that these scientists who
happened is that these scientists who helped me so much with that introduce me
helped me so much with that introduce me
helped me so much with that introduce me to a group of environmental scientists
to a group of environmental scientists
to a group of environmental scientists and these environmental scientists began
and these environmental scientists began
and these environmental scientists began to show me the fascinating history of
to show me the fascinating history of
to show me the fascinating history of natural resource extraction
natural resource extraction
natural resource extraction in Southeast Ohio so when one of the
in Southeast Ohio so when one of the
in Southeast Ohio so when one of the field trips we went to some streams and
field trips we went to some streams and
field trips we went to some streams and in these streams there was a strange
in these streams there was a strange
in these streams there was a strange orange sludge that went through the
orange sludge that went through the
orange sludge that went through the streams and I learned from them that
streams and I learned from them that
streams and I learned from them that this is caused by acid mine drainage and
this is caused by acid mine drainage and
this is caused by acid mine drainage and that it kills the aquatic life in over
that it kills the aquatic life in over
that it kills the aquatic life in over 1300 streamed miles in Ohio alone and so
1300 streamed miles in Ohio alone and so
1300 streamed miles in Ohio alone and so what happened is that in southeastern
what happened is that in southeastern
what happened is that in southeastern Ohio throughout the first half of the
Ohio throughout the first half of the
Ohio throughout the first half of the 20th century strip mining and coal
20th century strip mining and coal
20th century strip mining and coal mining with room and pillar methods were
mining with room and pillar methods were
mining with room and pillar methods were very commonplace and what they did is
very commonplace and what they did is
very commonplace and what they did is the companies came in and they clear-cut
the companies came in and they clear-cut
the companies came in and they clear-cut the forests and the extracted all the
the forests and the extracted all the
the forests and the extracted all the soil out and then they dug tunnels to
soil out and then they dug tunnels to
soil out and then they dug tunnels to get the coal now there aren’t that many
get the coal now there aren’t that many
get the coal now there aren’t that many mines left in the area just a few and by
mines left in the area just a few and by
mines left in the area just a few and by the 1970s most of the mining companies
the 1970s most of the mining companies
the 1970s most of the mining companies had moved on but what they left behind
had moved on but what they left behind
had moved on but what they left behind was disturbed land abandoned mines and
was disturbed land abandoned mines and
was disturbed land abandoned mines and basically inadequate restoration so at
basically inadequate restoration so at
basically inadequate restoration so at this point much of the forest has
this point much of the forest has
this point much of the forest has regrown but it’s very young but the
regrown but it’s very young but the
regrown but it’s very young but the underground mines continue to leach
underground mines continue to leach
underground mines continue to leach toxic acid mine drainage into streams
toxic acid mine drainage into streams
toxic acid mine drainage into streams killing aquatic life and essentially I
killing aquatic life and essentially I
killing aquatic life and essentially I was looking at these streams and some of
was looking at these streams and some of
was looking at these streams and some of them are really incredible this is
them are really incredible this is
them are really incredible this is actually a true town Ohio and this one
actually a true town Ohio and this one
actually a true town Ohio and this one seep alone pumps over a million gallons
seep alone pumps over a million gallons
seep alone pumps over a million gallons every single day of toxic acid mine
every single day of toxic acid mine
every single day of toxic acid mine drainage into Sunday Creek and this
drainage into Sunday Creek and this
drainage into Sunday Creek and this water has a final peel a pH rather below
water has a final peel a pH rather below
water has a final peel a pH rather below 2 and it carries over 2,000 pounds of
2 and it carries over 2,000 pounds of
2 and it carries over 2,000 pounds of iron every single day it’s like throwing
iron every single day it’s like throwing
iron every single day it’s like throwing a car in a stream every single day so
a car in a stream every single day so
a car in a stream every single day so I’m out there with these environmental
I’m out there with these environmental
I’m out there with these environmental scientists and I see this you know iron
scientists and I see this you know iron
scientists and I see this you know iron orange sludge and I was thinking like
orange sludge and I was thinking like
orange sludge and I was thinking like well some of my paints are made from
well some of my paints are made from
well some of my paints are made from iron sludge you know what if I could
iron sludge you know what if I could
iron sludge you know what if I could paint with this stuff and as so often
paint with this stuff and as so often
paint with this stuff and as so often happens basically I get a call from
happens basically I get a call from
happens basically I get a call from somebody who said would you meet with an
somebody who said would you meet with an
somebody who said would you meet with an engineering professor they need an
engineering professor they need an
engineering professor they need an artist’s help and I said yeah sure you
artist’s help and I said yeah sure you
artist’s help and I said yeah sure you know
know
know so I go to meet this guy for coffee and
so I go to meet this guy for coffee and
so I go to meet this guy for coffee and it turns out that his name is guy this
it turns out that his name is guy this
it turns out that his name is guy this is Professor guy Riefler this is
is Professor guy Riefler this is
is Professor guy Riefler this is engineering professor at Ohio University
engineering professor at Ohio University
engineering professor at Ohio University and he told me all about the fact that
and he told me all about the fact that
and he told me all about the fact that these abandoned mines they fill with
these abandoned mines they fill with
these abandoned mines they fill with water and when they fill with water the
water and when they fill with water the
water and when they fill with water the water and the oxygen react with minerals
water and the oxygen react with minerals
water and the oxygen react with minerals that have been buried for three hundred
that have been buried for three hundred
that have been buried for three hundred million years and when sulfides are
million years and when sulfides are
million years and when sulfides are present and these are common in
present and these are common in
present and these are common in Appalachian coal deposits high
Appalachian coal deposits high
Appalachian coal deposits high concentrations of sulfuric acid and iron
concentrations of sulfuric acid and iron
concentrations of sulfuric acid and iron are produced and that’s what causes the
are produced and that’s what causes the
are produced and that’s what causes the acid mine drainage but I also wanted to
acid mine drainage but I also wanted to
acid mine drainage but I also wanted to show you a guy in his natural habitat
show you a guy in his natural habitat
show you a guy in his natural habitat because as a team member so basically
because as a team member so basically
because as a team member so basically he’s got this like hair-trigger
he’s got this like hair-trigger
he’s got this like hair-trigger adventure bug so you can bait him
adventure bug so you can bait him
adventure bug so you can bait him anytime just if you ever meet him
anytime just if you ever meet him
anytime just if you ever meet him literally any time day or night I’ll be
literally any time day or night I’ll be
literally any time day or night I’ll be then I could just this is me texting by
then I could just this is me texting by
then I could just this is me texting by the way so I could just like text and be
the way so I could just like text and be
the way so I could just like text and be like hey guy was thinking about going to
like hey guy was thinking about going to
like hey guy was thinking about going to this haunted cold tunnel I heard boom
this haunted cold tunnel I heard boom
this haunted cold tunnel I heard boom guys like already out front he’s got
guys like already out front he’s got
guys like already out front he’s got extra coffee and a pair of waders and
extra coffee and a pair of waders and
extra coffee and a pair of waders and he’s like get in you know I’m like
he’s like get in you know I’m like
he’s like get in you know I’m like thanks guy cool you know anyway so it
thanks guy cool you know anyway so it
thanks guy cool you know anyway so it turns out that actually he was having
turns out that actually he was having
turns out that actually he was having the exact same thoughts as me at the
the exact same thoughts as me at the
the exact same thoughts as me at the same time and that’s why he wanted my
same time and that’s why he wanted my
same time and that’s why he wanted my help so he was starting to ask the
help so he was starting to ask the
help so he was starting to ask the questions you know could we extract this
questions you know could we extract this
questions you know could we extract this iron oxide as a valuable resource rather
iron oxide as a valuable resource rather
iron oxide as a valuable resource rather than as a waste disposal could treating
than as a waste disposal could treating
than as a waste disposal could treating pollution be an entrepreneurial endeavor
pollution be an entrepreneurial endeavor
pollution be an entrepreneurial endeavor rather than a societal cost so here’s
rather than a societal cost so here’s
rather than a societal cost so here’s the idea is that we stop the acid mine
the idea is that we stop the acid mine
the idea is that we stop the acid mine drainage before it gets to the stream we
drainage before it gets to the stream we
drainage before it gets to the stream we extract the iron oxide turns it into
extract the iron oxide turns it into
extract the iron oxide turns it into pigment and then we take the clean water
pigment and then we take the clean water
pigment and then we take the clean water and we return it to the stream and
and we return it to the stream and
and we return it to the stream and here’s how that works
here’s how that works
here’s how that works our team travels to some of the worst
our team travels to some of the worst
our team travels to some of the worst acid mine drainage seeps in the region
acid mine drainage seeps in the region
acid mine drainage seeps in the region to find a way to save these streams
deceptively as the acid mine drainage
deceptively as the acid mine drainage comes out of the mine it’s clear because
comes out of the mine it’s clear because
comes out of the mine it’s clear because the iron is still dissolved and in a
the iron is still dissolved and in a
the iron is still dissolved and in a reduced form
reduced form
reduced form we collect this water and take it back
we collect this water and take it back
we collect this water and take it back to the lab where we will test the
to the lab where we will test the
to the lab where we will test the process to turn this iron into pigment
process to turn this iron into pigment
process to turn this iron into pigment the collected water goes into our
the collected water goes into our
the collected water goes into our testing apparatus where we can control
testing apparatus where we can control
testing apparatus where we can control things like temperature and pH our first
things like temperature and pH our first
things like temperature and pH our first step in cleaning the water is to
step in cleaning the water is to
step in cleaning the water is to neutralize the pH we do this by adding a
neutralize the pH we do this by adding a
neutralize the pH we do this by adding a base which initially turns the water
base which initially turns the water
base which initially turns the water green because of a reaction with the
green because of a reaction with the
green because of a reaction with the reduced iron called hydrolysis next to
reduced iron called hydrolysis next to
reduced iron called hydrolysis next to remove the iron we bubble air through
remove the iron we bubble air through
remove the iron we bubble air through the solution this oxidizes the iron
the solution this oxidizes the iron
the solution this oxidizes the iron turning it into an orange slimy sludge
turning it into an orange slimy sludge
turning it into an orange slimy sludge which is typically what we find in the
which is typically what we find in the
which is typically what we find in the polluted streams of Southeast Ohio now
polluted streams of Southeast Ohio now
polluted streams of Southeast Ohio now that all of the dissolved iron has
that all of the dissolved iron has
that all of the dissolved iron has precipitated we can then separate it
precipitated we can then separate it
precipitated we can then separate it from the water by settling by letting
from the water by settling by letting
from the water by settling by letting the water sit still the solid particles
the water sit still the solid particles
the water sit still the solid particles settle and you have clean treated water
settle and you have clean treated water
settle and you have clean treated water on the top and concentrated iron
on the top and concentrated iron
on the top and concentrated iron precipitate on the bottom the clean
precipitate on the bottom the clean
precipitate on the bottom the clean water can be returned to the stream
water can be returned to the stream
water can be returned to the stream where it will no longer cause harm while
where it will no longer cause harm while
where it will no longer cause harm while the concentrated iron on the bottom can
the concentrated iron on the bottom can
the concentrated iron on the bottom can be collected and processed into pigment
be collected and processed into pigment
be collected and processed into pigment through a series of dewatering and
through a series of dewatering and
through a series of dewatering and drying steps at this point we’ve taken
drying steps at this point we’ve taken
drying steps at this point we’ve taken the orange pollution from the stream and
the orange pollution from the stream and
the orange pollution from the stream and converted it into a valuable pigment so
converted it into a valuable pigment so
converted it into a valuable pigment so the basic chemistry itself is not
the basic chemistry itself is not
the basic chemistry itself is not revolutionary but finding a way to
revolutionary but finding a way to
revolutionary but finding a way to extract the iron oxide so that it is a
extract the iron oxide so that it is a
extract the iron oxide so that it is a valuable product is and this is why guy
valuable product is and this is why guy
valuable product is and this is why guy wanted my help what makes a good pigment
wanted my help what makes a good pigment
wanted my help what makes a good pigment hue light fastness stability feel and I
hue light fastness stability feel and I
hue light fastness stability feel and I told him that I can definitely help them
told him that I can definitely help them
told him that I can definitely help them you know achieve those qualities and I
you know achieve those qualities and I
you know achieve those qualities and I began to help to do that but I also
began to help to do that but I also
began to help to do that but I also thought that what we really needed was a
thought that what we really needed was a
thought that what we really needed was a sense of beauty that we actually needed
sense of beauty that we actually needed
sense of beauty that we actually needed a visual expression that would
a visual expression that would
a visual expression that would demonstrate the story of the pigment its
demonstrate the story of the pigment its
demonstrate the story of the pigment its vitality and so I began to use the
vitality and so I began to use the
vitality and so I began to use the pigment in a mix of other standard
pigment in a mix of other standard
pigment in a mix of other standard artist colors to make paintings that
artist colors to make paintings that
artist colors to make paintings that talked about the sublimity of nature
talked about the sublimity of nature
talked about the sublimity of nature as well as the fragility of our current
as well as the fragility of our current
as well as the fragility of our current relationship with it so let me explain
relationship with it so let me explain
relationship with it so let me explain this is essentially what my mind looks
this is essentially what my mind looks
this is essentially what my mind looks like at any moment of any day and these
like at any moment of any day and these
like at any moment of any day and these things are floating around I don’t sleep
things are floating around I don’t sleep
things are floating around I don’t sleep much and they’re always competing with
much and they’re always competing with
much and they’re always competing with each other for something and it usually
each other for something and it usually
each other for something and it usually happens like this so this is actually a
happens like this so this is actually a
happens like this so this is actually a picture of the ring nebula it’s one
picture of the ring nebula it’s one
picture of the ring nebula it’s one light year across which is about nine
light year across which is about nine
light year across which is about nine trillion kilometres apparently and then
trillion kilometres apparently and then
trillion kilometres apparently and then I’ll see this image which is the grand
I’ll see this image which is the grand
I’ll see this image which is the grand prismatic spring at Yellowstone it’s
prismatic spring at Yellowstone it’s
prismatic spring at Yellowstone it’s about 300 meters across and then I’ll
about 300 meters across and then I’ll
about 300 meters across and then I’ll see this image which is a diatom two
see this image which is a diatom two
see this image which is a diatom two microns across and my mind is like dude
what are the grand forces of the
what are the grand forces of the universe trying to tell you man and then
universe trying to tell you man and then
universe trying to tell you man and then I’ll make a painting out of it
I’ll make a painting out of it
I’ll make a painting out of it so this series of paintings are on
so this series of paintings are on
so this series of paintings are on aluminum panels and they’re about a
aluminum panels and they’re about a
aluminum panels and they’re about a meter by a meter and they use the acid
meter by a meter and they use the acid
meter by a meter and they use the acid mine drainage pigment along with other
mine drainage pigment along with other
mine drainage pigment along with other water-based pigments so again like I’m
water-based pigments so again like I’m
water-based pigments so again like I’m thinking about maybe open source mining
thinking about maybe open source mining
thinking about maybe open source mining and chemical pollution and make a
and chemical pollution and make a
and chemical pollution and make a painting or maybe I read about
painting or maybe I read about
painting or maybe I read about constructal law you know and jet engines
constructal law you know and jet engines
constructal law you know and jet engines and galaxies and things and make another
and galaxies and things and make another
and galaxies and things and make another painting interestingly as the pigment
painting interestingly as the pigment
painting interestingly as the pigment began to evolve in its qualities the
began to evolve in its qualities the
began to evolve in its qualities the paintings also changed in their
paintings also changed in their
paintings also changed in their qualities so initially we were only able
qualities so initially we were only able
qualities so initially we were only able to get this color out of the iron oxide
to get this color out of the iron oxide
to get this color out of the iron oxide which is perhaps best described in
which is perhaps best described in
which is perhaps best described in scatological terms sorry about that but
scatological terms sorry about that but
scatological terms sorry about that but we were able in a few months to get it
we were able in a few months to get it
we were able in a few months to get it actually right off stream this color far
actually right off stream this color far
actually right off stream this color far sexier you know and so the paintings
sexier you know and so the paintings
sexier you know and so the paintings changed to accommodate that and then in
changed to accommodate that and then in
changed to accommodate that and then in lat just in the last couple of months
lat just in the last couple of months
lat just in the last couple of months we’ve been able to get even more color
we’ve been able to get even more color
we’ve been able to get even more color variety by firing the pigments at high
variety by firing the pigments at high
variety by firing the pigments at high temperatures for short periods of time
temperatures for short periods of time
temperatures for short periods of time so this is what the pigment looks like
so this is what the pigment looks like
so this is what the pigment looks like raw we’ve extracted it from the toxic
raw we’ve extracted it from the toxic
raw we’ve extracted it from the toxic acid mine drainage and we’ve dried it
acid mine drainage and we’ve dried it
acid mine drainage and we’ve dried it and processed it and this is what the
and processed it and this is what the
and processed it and this is what the raw pigment looks like and this is what
raw pigment looks like and this is what
raw pigment looks like and this is what a painting looks like made with those
a painting looks like made with those
a painting looks like made with those pigments but when we fired those same
pigments but when we fired those same
pigments but when we fired those same raw pigments at 500 degrees Celsius we
raw pigments at 500 degrees Celsius we
raw pigments at 500 degrees Celsius we get this color just brilliant Burgundy
get this color just brilliant Burgundy
get this color just brilliant Burgundy and so the paintings reflect that and we
and so the paintings reflect that and we
and so the paintings reflect that and we also fired it at a thousand degrees
also fired it at a thousand degrees
also fired it at a thousand degrees Celsius and it turned to this the same
Celsius and it turned to this the same
Celsius and it turned to this the same pigment turned to this amazing unnatural
pigment turned to this amazing unnatural
pigment turned to this amazing unnatural violet and let me tell you that is fun
violet and let me tell you that is fun
violet and let me tell you that is fun to paint with I sent a sample of this
to paint with I sent a sample of this
to paint with I sent a sample of this last batch to a large paint company
last batch to a large paint company
last batch to a large paint company gamblin artist colors in Portland Oregon
gamblin artist colors in Portland Oregon
gamblin artist colors in Portland Oregon and they’ve agreed to produce a 502
and they’ve agreed to produce a 502
and they’ve agreed to produce a 502 batch of our pigment as oil paints and
batch of our pigment as oil paints and
batch of our pigment as oil paints and these 500 tubes of oil paint are gonna
these 500 tubes of oil paint are gonna
these 500 tubes of oil paint are gonna be distributed to artists around the
be distributed to artists around the
be distributed to artists around the world
world
world they’re resulting artworks are going to
they’re resulting artworks are going to
they’re resulting artworks are going to be cured
be cured
be cured into a touring exhibition so we can
into a touring exhibition so we can
into a touring exhibition so we can broaden the discourse on sustainability
broaden the discourse on sustainability
broaden the discourse on sustainability so basically with little funding and
so basically with little funding and
so basically with little funding and lots of skeptics we’ve begun to refine a
lots of skeptics we’ve begun to refine a
lots of skeptics we’ve begun to refine a process that can continuously treat acid
process that can continuously treat acid
process that can continuously treat acid mine drainage restore the watersheds for
mine drainage restore the watersheds for
mine drainage restore the watersheds for aquatic life collect sustainably sourced
aquatic life collect sustainably sourced
aquatic life collect sustainably sourced iron oxide pigment that can be sold to
iron oxide pigment that can be sold to
iron oxide pigment that can be sold to pay for the cost of cleaning up the
pay for the cost of cleaning up the
pay for the cost of cleaning up the streams so we’re hopeful that maybe in
streams so we’re hopeful that maybe in
streams so we’re hopeful that maybe in the next few years we will have started
the next few years we will have started
the next few years we will have started a whole new industry in southeastern
a whole new industry in southeastern
a whole new industry in southeastern Ohio and based on our best estimates we
Ohio and based on our best estimates we
Ohio and based on our best estimates we should be able to create a few jobs and
should be able to create a few jobs and
should be able to create a few jobs and actually produce a small profit all
actually produce a small profit all
actually produce a small profit all while actually cleaning up a pollution
while actually cleaning up a pollution
while actually cleaning up a pollution source when I was putting all this
source when I was putting all this
source when I was putting all this together I was actually thinking and I
together I was actually thinking and I
together I was actually thinking and I realized that that my first art science
realized that that my first art science
realized that that my first art science relationship actually began a long time
relationship actually began a long time
relationship actually began a long time ago when I was in trouble I was barely a
ago when I was in trouble I was barely a
ago when I was in trouble I was barely a teenager and I was given a choice
teenager and I was given a choice
teenager and I was given a choice between juvenile corrections or
between juvenile corrections or
between juvenile corrections or counseling and I chose counseling not
counseling and I chose counseling not
counseling and I chose counseling not only because I couldn’t punch my way out
only because I couldn’t punch my way out
only because I couldn’t punch my way out of a wet paper bag but it was an unusual
of a wet paper bag but it was an unusual
of a wet paper bag but it was an unusual kind of counseling essentially once a
kind of counseling essentially once a
kind of counseling essentially once a week I had to travel to the local
week I had to travel to the local
week I had to travel to the local university and I had to meet with a
university and I had to meet with a
university and I had to meet with a chemistry professor so that I could
chemistry professor so that I could
chemistry professor so that I could learn the true dangers of my own
learn the true dangers of my own
learn the true dangers of my own experiments I know super proud of that
experiments I know super proud of that
experiments I know super proud of that one but fortunately dr. Carl Bricker
one but fortunately dr. Carl Bricker
one but fortunately dr. Carl Bricker actually could tell that I was just
actually could tell that I was just
actually could tell that I was just trying to find my place in the world I
trying to find my place in the world I
trying to find my place in the world I was you know was just lost in the
was you know was just lost in the
was you know was just lost in the bigness of the universe and trying to
bigness of the universe and trying to
bigness of the universe and trying to figure out why I mattered so instead you
figure out why I mattered so instead you
figure out why I mattered so instead you know he introduced me to black holes and
know he introduced me to black holes and
know he introduced me to black holes and infinity quantum entanglement and
infinity quantum entanglement and
infinity quantum entanglement and relativity and it’s
relativity and it’s
relativity and it’s it’s these bass mysteries of the
it’s these bass mysteries of the
it’s these bass mysteries of the universe that still drive my paintings
universe that still drive my paintings
universe that still drive my paintings today so it’s actually a scientist that
today so it’s actually a scientist that
today so it’s actually a scientist that helped me become an artist and I can
helped me become an artist and I can
helped me become an artist and I can tell you that artists and scientists
tell you that artists and scientists
tell you that artists and scientists shared two things we share curiosity and
shared two things we share curiosity and
shared two things we share curiosity and failure our curiosity drives us to
failure our curiosity drives us to
failure our curiosity drives us to pursue the most unlikely of paths and
pursue the most unlikely of paths and
pursue the most unlikely of paths and those pursuits often fall far short but
those pursuits often fall far short but
those pursuits often fall far short but in those failures we pick up one clue
in those failures we pick up one clue
in those failures we pick up one clue that drives us to pick up the chase
that drives us to pick up the chase
that drives us to pick up the chase again and we do not do this work in
again and we do not do this work in
again and we do not do this work in isolation we are incredibly grateful to
isolation we are incredibly grateful to
isolation we are incredibly grateful to the amazing variety of people from all
the amazing variety of people from all
the amazing variety of people from all walks of life who have lent their labor
walks of life who have lent their labor
walks of life who have lent their labor and time and expertise to our endeavors
and time and expertise to our endeavors
and time and expertise to our endeavors if we are gonna create a sustainable
if we are gonna create a sustainable
if we are gonna create a sustainable future for all I can tell you from
future for all I can tell you from
future for all I can tell you from experience that retreating from those
experience that retreating from those
experience that retreating from those different from us and building walls are
different from us and building walls are
different from us and building walls are not options we need everyone involved
not options we need everyone involved
not options we need everyone involved we’re gonna have to cross disciplines
we’re gonna have to cross disciplines
we’re gonna have to cross disciplines specialties communities so have a cup
specialties communities so have a cup
specialties communities so have a cup with an artist with a coal miner with a
with an artist with a coal miner with a
with an artist with a coal miner with a scientist changed my life forever for
scientist changed my life forever for
scientist changed my life forever for better it’ll change yours too thank you
”
Be First to Comment