(Photo: A green eco-conscious handbag created by Alicia Colina-Ashby, an artist who repurposes catalogues, magazines, & uninvited mail into works of art)     

By Rita Cook     

Since she has always loved paper and origami, it’s no wonder that Irving resident and recycle paper artist, Alicia Colina-Ashby knew she would someday be an artist.  Taking that one step further to become an eco-friendly paper artist just seemed natural. 

Selling her work since 2007, Colina-Ashby says “I’ve experimented quite a lot with the variety of paper I’ve received as uninvited mail.  There’s such a surplus, I thought surely there has to be something I could create in this medium. I find folding paper very calming and an almost meditative experience.” 

Mostly recycling magazines, catalogs, junk mail, maps, wrapping paper, candy
wrappers and security envelopes, Colina-Ashby says she begins her process by examining the paper and its’ qualities then carefully cutting, folding and weaving the paper into earth friendly frills.

“In the past year I have started to use the patterns inside security envelopes to create my newest line called Re:post, she explains. It was inspired by the
repetitious and rhythmic lines printed on the inside of security envelopes. Mostly shades of blue and black on white, these patterns are usually unnoticed little works of art. I have given them a chance to communicate one more time by rescuing them from the recycle bin and repurposing them into uniquely detailed works in paper.”

Colina-Ashby says security envelopes always make her wonder what was transported in them and how many varieties of patterns really exist. And, whether it’s the maps or wrapping paper or catalogs and junk mail Colina-Ashby emphasizes that her main focus is to take materials that no longer have a useful purpose and make into something that has a new purpose. 

One of her newest muses are her monochromatic bags.

“It’s a giant scavenger hunt to gather the paper in that one color and a big puzzle to put it together to display the chosen color in the best way,” she says of her latest obsession. “Once the purse is done, looking at it closely will show all the colors represented, while from far away, it just looks textured and monochromatic. They are an optical illusion of sorts and I delight in that.”

Her current favorite item is a green bag with handles, demonstrating the optical illusion that she so loves, but jewelry pieces from her latest line are also high on her favorite list too.  That particularly includes a Re:post collection ring that she says is “really fun,” and that is a real conversation starter since people are always amazed that it’s made from a reclaimed security envelope.

“I’m always amazed what paper will do when coaxed – single and multiple folds, reverse folds and interlocking perfectly,” Colina-Ashby explains. “Paper tears beautifully, it even makes a lovely sound when it tears and leaves a beautiful organic textured edge.”


The ideas for her art come from nature and Colina-Ashby says “Being outdoors a little each day gets my imagination purring. One of the newest places I find inspiration is pinterest.com, a site where you can build pin boards for your thoughts, ideas and images that inspire you. I have ideas organized by color, color combination and texture. Turning me loose with ideas is like letting a kid loose in a candy store.” 

Sometimes she says she will take an hour to experiment with combining paper folding techniques just to keep her groove and come up with new ideas “whether it’s all new ones or mixing them up with the ones I rely on regularly, happy mistakes are the best way to get inspired sometimes and sometimes trial and error is tried and true.”

Focusing for the last year on pre-cycling by examining the products she buys closely before making a purchase, Colina-Ashby says she prefers items in minimalist recycled or recyclable packaging that are made using green processes.

“Many people think that anything earth friendly has to be brown, granola and ugly,” Colina-Ashby concludes.  “I totally disagree.  I think part of the beauty in making recycled goods is that people don’t know they are made with recycled materials until they take a closer look. I’m intrigued with what people ask and say when they examine my pieces to figure out what materials I have used.”

Alicia sells her work starting at $5 up to $350. You can find Colina-Ashby’s work on her website at http://www.etsy.com/shop/laalicia, at the Trinity River Audubon Center website or at Eco Grass Roots Market + Cleaners. 

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Rita Cook is a freelance writer who has worked as a special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News and other major publications.