Trash Birds  Current Work

Through naturalist talks at local parks and popular science podcasts, I learned about so-called trash birds. These are the undesirable species– in my area, birds like sparrows and Canada geese– that steal resources or habitat from native species, make a mess, or are just generally inconvenient in the way that they live their lives. I cannot help but feel like a trash bird myself, a human being that, although I try my best, consumes, and wastes, and displaces at a rate that is detrimental to the world around me. I cannot deny that sometimes I enjoy this. I like the convenience of a car, plastic bottles of milk, and a house that is heated, cooled, and lit on demand. 

My art reflects my struggle with being a trash bird. I utilize, alter, and incorporate discarded plastic that could not otherwise be recycled; I also continue to use acrylic paint and polymer clay against my better judgement. I love learning about materials and processes that reduce environmental impact, and continue to move in that direction as this body of work develops. My background in printmaking naturally leads me to the consideration of multiples. I often incorporate these to illustrate the abundance of what we use, and how that can overwhelm the natural balance of things. 

We Are All Made of Trash, 12x36", mixed media including drypoint, found objects, papier mache. 2025 

Celebration! 16x24" acrylic and spray paint on reclaimed Masonite with found plastic. 2025

Round and Round, dry point, linocut, Inktense pencil 2025

It Does a Body Good, dry point from packaging plastic, linocut, Inktense pencil. 2025

Outswim, dry point from packaging plastic, linocut, Inktense pencil. 2025

contact juliekr7@gmail.com for purchase. * indicates sold work