Cathy Ehrler
Cathy finds her motivation as an artist in transforming trash and recycled materials into art, consciously striving to improve both her work and the environment at the same time.
She began her art career 25 years ago after spending many years in the corporate world. Over time, her unique style of trash art has evolved. In the early days of her career, landscapes were a popular subject for her. Often, when she set up her easel, she would notice litter within her view, sparking the thought that someday the world might be covered in trash. This realization led her to experiment with finding artistic merit in the waste itself.
Many people ask Cathy where she sources her materials. She finds them on the street, in her own trash and recycling bins, using items such as aluminum cans, old CDs, egg cartons, food wrappers, drink containers, to-go packaging, mailers, cardboard, and other forms of post-consumer waste.
Cathy’s goal is to create images that inspire, remind, and motivate others to do their part in caring for the planet. She hopes her work brings smiles to viewers' faces and fosters a deeper appreciation for the world we live in.
One of Cathy’s primary missions is to reveal the hidden beauty in waste through artistic transformation and to promote environmental stewardship by creatively reusing post-consumer materials. She aims to inspire caring and respect, stimulate dialogue, and encourage the long-term flourishing of both social and natural environments. Her intent is to cause no harm to nature through her art.
Recycling is a passion for Cathy. She lives and works in a 150-year-old warehouse that has been “recycled” into loft live/work spaces. She walks to her studio, owns an electric vehicle for other transportation, has installed solar panels on both her home and studio, uses energy-efficient appliances, and practices recycling, composting, and regular trash pickup.
Cathy’s art consists of intricate mosaic work made entirely from trash and recycled materials. Each piece is composed of thousands of cut bits, meticulously glued to a recycled base. The only products she purchases are non-toxic glue and sealer. Her ultimate goal is to be carbon negative.
Through her art, Cathy is consciously working to enhance both her craft and the environment. She invites viewers to enjoy her work, hoping it brings joy and fosters greater appreciation for the world we share.
