Kirsty Fletcher makes adorable, fresh art pieces out of reclaimed cardboard. Fletcher lives in Melbourne, Australia, where she not only raids her own recycle bin but enlists her family and friends to keep an eye out for discarded cardboard that she can use in her art. I'm loving the animal-themed pieces she makes, like the ones pictured above!

Kirsty was kind enough to answer a few questions about her work and why she loves it.

Green Upgrader: What draws you to cardboard as a medium?

Kirsty Fletcher: I like cardboard because it is everywhere and you don't need any specialty glue / equipment. The medium is quite forgiving and can be corrected if you are not 100% with a decision while you are working.

gUP: Why is using reclaimed materials important to you?

KF: I like salvaged or reclaimed cardboard because it is I hate throwing out useful things. Also it is free and has a history. My raw material collection seems to be made up of packaging from things that you and your friends buy (beer, tampons, biscuit boxes) and that people drop on the ground (tram / train tickets) and flyers for shows that are on in my area.

I love the printed colours on the cardboard that I collect and spend a lot of time looking at which bits to use and how to arrange the textures and patterns. The art works preserve the memories of the special items and make me look at the mundane packaging in a different way (words become patterns instead of labeling).

gUP: Where can folks find your work?

KF: I try and have 1 or 2 solo exhibitions each year (generally in Melbourne, Australia) and get involved in numerous group shows also (again these have been in Australia). On the web the best place to see my work is on my blog.

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We are on a little reclaimed cardboard art kick around here! For more beautiful art made from salvaged cardboard, check out our profile from last week on cardboard artist Mykl Wells.