What do you make? What do you make it out of?
I create mixed media work ... using mostly reused materials.
Do you have an art background/education or are you self-taught?
I studied at the Ivy School of Professional Art in Pittsburgh
What originally inspired you to start making art from stuff that others may regard only as potential landfill fodder?
Early on, in my teens, I would scavenge through the woods — always searching for old bottles, bones and rusty what-nots. My parents gave me a room above the garage to use as a studio and a place to display my stuff. At times, though, my mom would go in there and clean it and throw away stuff. She once got so mad when I dragged home a huge rotted stump. I cleaned it all up and her friends wanted to buy it, and so I took their 25 bucks. I think that is when my mom realized I was on to something.
Ever been Dumpster diving? Stopped the car to grab something from the curb?
My Dumpster/curbside diving began in my early 20s. My then-boyfriend and I owned a 1950 G.M.C panel truck that was once a fire truck. The old pump and hose were still inside when we bought it. Once a month in my hometown of Pittsburgh people put out their unwanted large and small things that were in a different trash class. I lived for those Mondays, and we would cruise the neighborhoods in search of treasures, which included vintage furniture … a cedar chest that someone had painted brown, an old oak secretary and a maple dresser. Once I found a set of old National Geographics from the beginning of the publication. My parents were not thrilled about me lugging things home and storing them in their basement. Years later, though, after I moved out, my father refinished the cedar chest and it is still in their family room. Ironically, my mother got over her embarrassment and began curb-collecting also. I have lots of stories of our adventures, and then later, with my own girls who are graduate curb collectors.
Do your friends leave junk by YOUR door?
Over the years people have brought me things — sometimes they send them from 5,000 miles away ... all kinds of stuff. I was recently sent a twisted piece of wood and a flattened toad. People are always telling me they were going to throw something away but, alas, they thought of me, and there it is at my doorstep when I least expect it. And I usually have to guess who dropped it by.
Where do you find your best source materials?
I have such a massive collection of junk that I try to not collect or look for any more and just accept and thank the universe for what drops from the sky. So there is no real favorite source for materials ... it comes from the junk Gods.
Do you have a favorite piece — or body of work — you’ve created from repurposed/upcycled materials? Tell us about it!
Wood of all sorts is my favorite as I enjoy the 3-D assemblage part. And painting on 2-D wood also excites me. My "junk yard dogs" are made from broken pieces of furniture. Large pieces are composed of anything that can be fastened, screwed, glued tied, etc. My last exhibit was titled “Fair's Towers” — 13 towers each created from different materials.
How do you think your work makes others feel when they experience it — in ONE word?
"Inspired." Once there was a quote on the outside marquee of the Salvation Army and it read: "Aspire to Inspire Before You Expire." I live by that motto.
Where can people see your art and learn more about your it?
www.deybrafair.com
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