Trying To Be A Better Human

Watercolor Study #1

Like so many of us today, I am anxious. Not just because we sit on the periphery of World War III. Climate change has become such an unsettling issue. I came across an article written by a young woman who explains why she has decided to not have children. She doesn’t want to bring babies into such an unstable and insecure world. She’s hardly alone. Polls show that approximately 33% of Gen Zer’s site climate change as a major factor.

I certainly am trying to do everything I can to reduce my carbon footprint. That’s why lately I have been troubled by my use of acrylic paint. All paint is made from the same pigments. It’s the material that binds the pigments to make the paint different. Oil uses an oil binder, acrylic uses a polymer emulsion binder, and watercolor uses (non-toxic) gum arabic. All that paint that I clean off of my brushes after painting with acrylics goes down the sink, into the aquifer.

Now, as with so many things, there are two schools of thought on this. Or three, if you include climate denial. First, it’s the way we’ve been gaslighted into believing that it is up to individuals, not the huge, greedy corporations that spew toxins into the air and water, to clean up their mess.

Second, it IS up to us to clean up their mess. Everyone should try and do their part to use sustainable products, reduce waste, and recycle when possible. (Full disclosure: I am still using acrylic paint on one of my projects.)

I’m pretty sure that all the acrylic painters in the world cleaning their brushes in the sink are only a drop in the bucket compared to the tons and tons of toxins deposited by large manufacturers. Nevertheless, while it’s become more and more clear that it’s probably too late to reverse the damage already done, each and everyone of us can do our part. Not only with our daily choices but by the votes we cast. Today’s youth must let governments know that this issue is paramount to them.

Which brings me to my decision to start painting with watercolors. They are, by far, the least polluting of the paint mediums. I have very little experience with watercolors so this is a new adventure for me. I’m looking forward to it and I invite anyone and everyone to follow my journey.