Artist saves the oceans with recycled art lamps

A California artist Roxy Russel is taking plastic that normally would be thrown in the ocean and turns it into sea creatures that may illuminate their plight


Taken from an interview with Victor Van Gasbeek
Medusae Pendant Lamps: Interview with Californian designer Roxy Russell
Her inspiration for these lamps of course came from the ocean;

“The ocean is such a boundless source of inspiration for myself and many other people, in all fields. Unfortunately, I am also very concerned about the fragile state of it’s very complex eco-system.
I wanted to bring to the surface, and illuminate the growing problem of plastic polluting our oceans in a way that makes people inspired to help. We have a floating island of plastic garbage in the Pacific that is twice the size of Texas. Up to 70 percent of this plastic is below the surface, broken down into tiny pieces,becoming a toxic part of the eco-system. Countless fish and birds die from mistaking these bits for food.
This is an opportunity to look at how we might be contributing to the problem. Most people think it’s ok to use plastic bottles because they throw them in the recycle bin or think someone else will, but what they don’t realize is that much of the plastic that is manufactured never gets recycled.
Many times when we think “eco” or “going green” we think of what’s on the surface, where we live…with this series I’d like to inspire people to look a little deeper.”

Your inspiration for these lamps came from the ocean and you express your concern about the vast amount of plastic in the ocean, yet your product for the most part consist out of plastic?
“Yes, A very good and valid question. It is made from the very element I am most concerned about clogging up our oceans! It is made of a form of PET, a recyclable plastic.
I did see the irony in this, but also the poetry.
The way I see it is this:
I don’t believe the PET is an evil material, it is the way we use it. We will never be able to completely eliminate something as versatile as plastics. The reason that they are used up to a large extent and considered ‘environmental friendly’ is because it is safe, non-toxic, doesn’t have plasticizers, and don’t contain heavy metals. Of course, the main advantages of this polymer are that these can be recycled.
We must, however put more thought into how disposable it is, and it’s role in our everyday lives. For example, we know we need to drink water everyday in order to survive, why are most people still using disposable containers to hold their water? It’s such a new thing too, for centuries we had canteen’s, animal skins etc, to hold our water. Now, we forget so easily that we are creating this waste every time we need to hydrate! I personally, always keep reusable container’s for my water needs, and always bring my own bags to stores, even when it’s not for groceries.
The lights are an example of how delicate and beautiful our ocean life is. The use of plastic in such a way shows a middle ground in the ways we use our technologies. And hopefully elevates it, in a way…
What kind of “eco” choices did you make concerning material, manufacturer and packaging?

• It is not a disposable item, but it is made of materials that can be separated for recycling, as opposed to hybrid materials which cannot be broken down to recycle. (Note: I am now using a thin aluminum for the ‘crown’ pieces, instead of the original acrylic )
• It is flat packed in pieces for the consumer to put together. This minimizes the amount of space used for transport.
• It is very lightweight, also saving energy in transport.
• It is manufactured in Los Angeles, so it supports local economy and eliminates overseas shipping in the manufacturing process.
• A percentage of profits will be donated to The Ocean Conservancy

“So, I hope this help’s clarify my choices for these lamps!”
It sure does, and what a great product it has become, thank you for answering my questions and for giving us some insight in this project!

From The Author: Thanksgivukkah

Suzanne and I feel blessed by the support and prayers from both old and new friends for our safety and well being as we prepare for our departure to South Africa as Peace Corps Volunteers.

Our prayers have been answered by helping to provide our needs as we purchase supplies, complete medical exams and continue to study language and online courses related to what we believe will be our assignment.


On January 21st we are scheduled to leave for staging some where in the USA. Then two days later we leave for South Africa and if all goes well we will be there 27 months.

Meanwhile, Suzanne has her jewelry at the Pickett Fence/Corner Story in Etowah on Highway 64 and Brickyard Road in front of the Etowah Public Library. Her jewlery will be there until the end of December. So if you go that way stop by and at the same time discover great fresh vegetables and eggs. And yes, "Chagall, The Recycling Dragon" is now available on Amazon.

And like most of you, we have been busy in the yard doing fall clean up.
To all of you, we thank you and wish all a blessed holiday season starting this Thursday as we celebrate Thanksgiving. By the way, for those who want to know, Chanukkah and Thanksgiving arrive at the same time this year, and not again for another 80,000 years. So for those who want here is a chance to combine the foods of both holidays.

Marty

From the Author: departure date

It is November and we are approaching our departure date. Both Suzanne and I spent time submitting on line the medical requirements. Monday I have one more test and then my physical will be done and submitted. Then it is wait and to see if we make it through the final hurtle. If we pass the physicals we will be invited to staging in late January, and then if successful to training in  South Africa for three months.

Today as part of our preparation for leaving Suzanne and I took a twenty two mile bicycle ride through the Blue Ridge Mountain back roads. We have been building up to this starting with shorter rides. The day was perfect for a long bike ride. The temperature was in the mid 50s to low 60s with a breeze to stay cool.

The leaves are peaking throughout the valleys making for beautiful vistas across the fields and mountains. The ride is slowed for the photo opportunities presented and remind us why we decided to move here.

Suzanne is busy preparing for another craft show later this month. She is designing some beautiful jewelry.

Tomorrow I will start to address some of the business needed to be gone for 27 months. The management of the house still needs to be outlined and how to continue to pay all the bills while away. Also, a will is something should happen while away. Needless to say preparing to leave home for an extended period of time is much simpler when younger, but still worth the adventure that awaits.

And of course, "Chagall, The Recycling Dragon", is now on Kindle and is being prepared for to be printed into a hard copy within a few weeks.

That is the report for the week.

From the Author: The great outdoors

Suzanne's niece, Jenna with her 10 month old baby came to visit this week. They toured Asheville and Brevard, and had a wonderful visit.  Suzanne enjoyed her company and seeing the baby, her grand niece.

I worked this week with my neighbor. We cut down trees threatening to fall on houses. Four of us cut down and split wood after loading the truck with chips and rounds of wood. It seems my life since leaving Sacramento has led me to the trees and addressing them. I am learning to recognize the difference between oak, hickory and sourwood. In a few weeks we will be looking at a giant cotton wood, about 36 inches at the base and 40 feet tall. The cotton wood has a value for furniture and is one of the softest woods.

Suzanne has been working on her jewelry and baking. The Blue Ridge has inspired her and her designs are coming out exquisite. To her delight I am not the only one who thinks so. People compliment what they see and buy it too for themselves.

Next week we go to public health for another round of shots required by the Peace Corps. I will pick up the lab work and paper work from the doctor's office. Then together Suzanne and I will submit our medical paper work. This is the final step to decide if we get to go or not in January. If all goes well we will be leaving for South Africa the end of January. We are both excited and looking forward to starting the adventure.

"Chagall, the Recycling Dragon" is being well received. The electronic version can be found on Kindle and the hard copy will soon be available. Both will be on Amazon. If you have checked out the electronic version wag your wings. If not, join the many others who have already done so.

That is it for this week.

Marty

From the Author: "Chagall, the Recycling Dragon" is available on Kindle

Hello:

Another week passed and the federal government opened for business. Suzanne and I can now scan and send in our paper work on medical exams and be closer to leaving for South Africa in January, if they don't shut down again.

That is one of our questions we want to talk to the Peace Corps about, what happens while over seas and the federal government shuts down. Considering the last few years and budget issues this is a very real scenario to consider. We are scheduling a call this week to discuss this with someone.

Suzanne has been inspired with design and making more beautiful jewelry. She has another craft show coming up the end of November and is selling through a local corner store. I share her self satisfaction in being accepted by others and her talent being shared. We have met some very talented people here and enjoyed sharing with them.

On my part I announced this last week that "Chagall, the Recycling Dragon" is available on Kindle and will soon be available in hard copy via Amazon. It is being well received to date. It has not gone off the charts but people are looking at it and some are down loading it.

We have some more shots to get the end of the month, but hopefully none that will do what the Yellow Fever shot did to us.

We have been taking bike rides and going to the gym on a regular basis. This exercise and working around the yard keep us both busy and in shape.

That is it for this week.

Marty

From the Author: another busy week

It has been another busy week. While waiting for the federal government to go back to work Suzanne and I continued on with completing what needs to be done. Our lab tests are back and so far we are both pronounced to be alive. We go back to public health the end of the month for the second round of immunizations. If and when the federal government goes back to work we can send our paper work in and request reimbursement for a pittance of the out of the pocket cost. We are hoping these expenses are tax deductible, but that is another time-next year. Our departure date is still the latter part of January, but dependent on the feds being open for business.

Suzanne has her jewelry back in the store. She spent many hours repairing the damage done from chocolate milk and rough handling.

I spent two days helping a neighbor who owns a tree service. My role was the ground crew pulling and raking the debris into the a pile, putting it through the chipper and loading the wood into the truck. After many years of education and hard work I can now risk my limbs in a dangerous industry while breaking my back for a wage lower that seen in a long time. But the weather was warm and the breeze was steady, the company good. Definitely one of the workers gets his information from Fox News while the other through a fog of smoke. The night ended early for me with sound sleep. But it is good to find out I can still do such work without keeling over. I may do some more next week, but also need to do much the same around our own house to prepare for winter an get a jump on the spring growth that will come through next summer.

If all goes well, "Chagall, the Recycling Dragon" will soon be loaded onto Kindle Direct Publishing for all those who want to download and read or read with their children.

That is all for now.

Marty

From the Author: I can truly say we were poked and jabbed

Hello

Well, this week was medical immunizations and lab tests. Suzanne and I can truly say we were poked and jabbed. For those who do not know, the Yellow Fever vaccine knocks you out for two days. We slept a whole afternoon.

So far my physical looks good. There is one question left to be answered by Peace Corps medical. I need to know if they will require me to have a test that is not due until next June and is within five years of staging, but six out of 27 months into the program. Also check to see if our insurance will pay for the test early and how early, if they will.

Suzanne does her physical the middle of this month. Her lab tests and immunizations are already started. She is also preparing for a fair where she will demonstrate how to make jewelry and sell what she has already made. Her jewelry has been successful. At a fair last weekend Suzanne sold and the local store where she has her jewelry it sells. As an artist it is always rewarding to see your creations appreciated by others.

Myself, "Chagall, The Recycling Dragon" is finished and waiting to be loaded onto Kindle Direct Publishing. We are waiting on a friend who wants to help us market it. It has been a process over twenty years to complete the story and I hope those who choose to look at it like it. So far those who have heard the story and/or seen the illustrations have liked it. Christine, the illustrator did wonderful.

It is fall and the leafs are turning. The brush wants to be cut down and bushes trimmed. The leafs want to be mulched. Nothing there has changed except there is more of it to do.

Tomorrow Suzanne and celebrate our anniversary. We will be celebrating five years married. I can honestly say I treasure the five years and wish to share my life with Suzanne, the lady who said yes when asked to share her life with me. It is getting better every day sharing with Suzanne.

That is all for now.

Marty

From the Author: Rainy Days

Rain today kept us inside. Suzanne did her craft fair and sold jewelry. She was successful as it should be. Tonight is clean up after a month of hard work.

The plants that have been move are happy.They are getting rained on. After so long a period of rain we had a break, but the rain is needed.

I finished my stint at WalMart yesterday. I completed sixty hours which is all that is allowed without exceeding our tax liability. It is very funny to avoid work because you cannot earn any more without paying more tax and doing it all for free, actually paying for it if not careful. I am sure the bean counters can explain this logic. But it is one of many adjustments that comes with retirement.

The next week is getting immunizations at public health. The shots and lab tests are required by Peace Corps. It is the last stage to determine if we get to go to South Africa. It is exciting.

That is about it.

Marty

From the Author: 4 months and counting

It has been some time since the last Email and much is happening.

First, South Africa is 4 months and counting. While it is the Unknown Country-feared by many due to change, it is also an adventure to look forward to. There will be many new adventures to share. The chance to learn a new culture while sharing our culture and working for a worthy cause.

Suzanne has been studying Zulu on a daily basis in between making jewelry and maintaining her daily life, exercise and communicating with family and friends. We have both been completing the medical and making arrangements to finish it. We are watching our pennies while balancing the debt payment incurred through the last tax return, daily expenses and out of pocket expenses to address the Peace Corps medical requirements. But in the end it will all be worth the effort. Without Suzanne's close attention to the details none of this would happen or it would at least be a lot more confusing.

And yes, the woods have been calling to address the growth and it finally quit raining so some of the outside work that needs to be addressed can be taken to task. 

Suzanne is getting ready for a show this weekend, busy making new jewelry and creating beautiful pieces. She has started showing what she creates on facebook.

We went to Maine for Suzanne's, mother's 93rd birthday. While traveling we bused from Rhode Island to NY and then by train to say hello to old friends of Suzanne's. Then we drove up with her brother in law to Maine and then came home after going to Wilmington, NC to help with baby sitting. We got home late Thursday night.

That is about all for now.

Marty

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From The Author: Sunday evening

Hello from North Carolina:

The week has been wet and sunny with thunder storms in the afternoon and evening. In between the rain drops and rolls of thunder Suzanne and I did a bike ride, aborted a hike as it started to rain at the start but discovered a nice antique store in Chimney Rock, NC., and went dancing. We celebrated with ice cream.

All in all it has been a good week. We organized the garage by taking every thing off the shelves and work bench, took the shelves down and started bringing them down from Jolly Green Giant height to Suzanne height. We will continue this tomorrow and hopefully get everything up off the middle of the garage floor and onto shelves in an organized manner.

I completed my first week at  WALMART as a demonstrator. It is interesting and people watching is fun for character development.

Suzanne and I are busy completing the check list for Peace Corps and preparing for South Africa sojourn. We have decided on whom to have sit the house. He is a person we met since moving here and have had lunch with three times and worked together in the garage.

We are reviewing the volunteer book for the Peace Corps to become better acquainted with the aspirations and expectations for Staging. Our pass ports and visa applications are sent. Doctors and dentists appointments are made. We have an appointment with the County Health Department to start the shots needed.

Suzanne is busy with jewelry.  Her designs are well accepted and selling. She can be proud of her work and efforts in marketing.

That is it for now.

Marty

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