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Apparently, there are many different ways to keep a diary and this unique artist from New York, Ruby Silvious, has discovered an amazing one. While some of us tend to throw away used tea bags after finishing our tea, Silvious reuses them... as canvases for her miniature paintings.
"The used tea bag is not very attractive. But while you may see a soggy, stained tea bag, I see a blank canvas," the artist wrote earlier on Bored Panda. "The visual diary records my impression of the moment using the used tea bag as a medium, altered to create a new work of art every day. I draw, paint and collage moody, evocative and sometimes whimsical art on the used teabag paper."
Ruby Silvious began painting on tea bags in 2015 to push her creative practice and to share it on social media, hoping to spark a different kind of inspiration. "People have this notion of what traditional art should be. I think reimagining the discarded as art inspires new forms of creativity," claims Silvious. "I hope that people who view my art are changed in some way, perhaps with a renewed belief in the art of the possible."
More info: rubysilvious.com | Instagram | Facebook
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Kimberly Robinson 7 years ago
Incredible. Definitely reminds me of my trip to Paris, years ago.
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#2
Magpie 7 years ago
* and respect for her delicacy cutting out those shoes!
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Alia G. 7 years ago
Wow... These are absolutely amazing. Not only are the paintings themselves beautiful, they’re on such a small canvas, and the fact that they’re teabags just makes it unusual and interesting!
DancingToMyself 7 years ago
@Alia, lol, I really wasn't thinking anything in a bad way. I'm not a party popper, it's just obvious that you love to write. Peace. :)
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Agnes Jekyll 7 years ago
Ah, he looks like she's peering up over something at us--maybe a tea cup?
Erin Ordway 7 years ago
If someone doesn't like this, all I have to say is you've cat to be kitten me right meow.
#6
Beth Arriaga 7 years ago
Love the unexpected juxtaposition of elements in the paintings All are amazing
Agnes Jekyll 7 years ago
Wow! Okay--has she cut some of those images out and pasted them or has she painted them herself? (and I originally thought the selfie-stick was a spatula)
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Erin Ordway 7 years ago
This lil painting is absolutely gorgeous. I can't imagine being this talented!
Emma Sam 7 years ago
Few people *are* that talented, the painting is by Velasquez. The teabag lady artist just cut it out to make a funny collage with the takeout boxes. https://www.instagram.com/p/BeGAMfnHiM8
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Emma Sam 7 years ago
This is another collage, using images by another artist. The collages are clever but I like her own paintings even more.
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Shruti Naik 7 years ago
I'd would love an enlarged framed version of this to hang up in my home!
#16
Kimberly Robinson 7 years ago
You're right. I think they would hold up if backed by a little cardboard.
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#17
Morgiana 7 years ago
"I think reimagining the discarded as art inspires new forms of creativity" Agree. I like how they're picking up trash.
Carmean Armendariz 7 years ago
they are actually picking up ears of corn. this is a copy of the classical painting "The Gleaners" by Jean-François Millet.
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Christina Vigil 7 years ago
Wow, each new painting makes that one my new favorite...until the very next one. They are just unbelievably beautiful!
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Sara Kate MacFarland 7 years ago
Her embellishments are so delicate and ephemeral...perfection!
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Birdgirl45 7 years ago
Funny how some paths could cross but don't. Lots to unpack here; love how deep this is
#30
Sara Kate MacFarland 7 years ago
she looks as if she could just walk out of the image and into your arms
#32
Sarah Blanche Brinsfield 7 years ago
I️ thought for a moment they were real bells sitting on top of the tea bags! Amazing quality! Amazing artist!
Sara Kate MacFarland 7 years ago
these have such a dimensional impact...look as if they are just lying on the teabag and could roll off at any time
#33
Sara Kate MacFarland 7 years ago
haven't tried a KitKat bar with Constant Comment...but I will now!
#34
Gail McNamara 7 years ago
These tiny paintings are incredible & on tea bags. Amazing❗️ See all 20 of them❣️
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What do you think ?
Captain Planet 7 years ago
Actually I think you can Kent. Arthur Danto once said: Art is anything that is created with thought/meaning behind it. Some people mereley criticise some artwork because they love a certain genre and it doesn't fall into that category. But that doesn't mean it's not art. Same as parents calling the music their kids listen to not music. Almost very parent in every age does that. While in reality it's all music but just a matter of taste and nostalgia.
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Kimberly Robinson 7 years ago
I'm a very creative person but I'm not an artist. That is, I am very good with materials that are already present, whether it's the ingredients for a meal or the yarn for a scarf, but I don't have the power to see what's not there and imagine something out of thin air. That's what Ruby Silvious is doing. She has true artistic vision if she can see a disposable item like a used teabag and turn it into something beautiful that you would want to keep. Seriously, I would pay for one of these little paintings. I really admire her eye and her paintings are gorgeous. I hope she never stops her tea bag art.
PyroarRanger 7 years ago
Am I the only one who scrolled to the first one and thought it was an actual picture? These paintings are AMAZING!
Captain Planet 7 years ago
She can paint really well! And alot of original subjects and styles. A refreshing post. Let's have more this and less of all the rehashed disney c**p pls. :D
Captain Planet 7 years ago
Actually I think you can Kent. Arthur Danto once said: Art is anything that is created with thought/meaning behind it. Some people mereley criticise some artwork because they love a certain genre and it doesn't fall into that category. But that doesn't mean it's not art. Same as parents calling the music their kids listen to not music. Almost very parent in every age does that. While in reality it's all music but just a matter of taste and nostalgia.
Load More Replies... Kimberly Robinson 7 years ago
I'm a very creative person but I'm not an artist. That is, I am very good with materials that are already present, whether it's the ingredients for a meal or the yarn for a scarf, but I don't have the power to see what's not there and imagine something out of thin air. That's what Ruby Silvious is doing. She has true artistic vision if she can see a disposable item like a used teabag and turn it into something beautiful that you would want to keep. Seriously, I would pay for one of these little paintings. I really admire her eye and her paintings are gorgeous. I hope she never stops her tea bag art.
PyroarRanger 7 years ago
Am I the only one who scrolled to the first one and thought it was an actual picture? These paintings are AMAZING!
Captain Planet 7 years ago
She can paint really well! And alot of original subjects and styles. A refreshing post. Let's have more this and less of all the rehashed disney c**p pls. :D
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