Go With the Grain

   For years now I have had a love with old wood. It tells it's stories by the nails jutting out from it, by the holes worn in it, by its chippy paint, and by the weathering it obtains. I have made many things from old cypress wood. I love making crosses out of old wood. The seems to relay the story of Jesus. It was once new, was loved by someone, and then transformed into something else. I am planning to start making some new products and designs out of old wood for local craft fairs. 

        Local barn that I am in love with.

       "None Better Than Jesus" Cross. 

Made from repurposed table leg and an old wooden crate.

Exploring Mississippi

Today I road with my dad to a few Cotton gins to work on broke-down module trucks. While he worked on the trucks, I went exploring. In Vance, Ms I explored the outsides of an old, abandoned two-story house that was starting to give in to gravity. I whish that it wasn't boarded up so I could have seen the insides, besides what I could see through a huge hole where part of the second story wall had fallen away. I then explored an old barn that was right down the road. In Glendora, Ms I explored old trash-piles on the banks of a byou that ran behind the gin where my dad was working. I found an old Sprite bottle from Saratoga National Historic Park, an old Ritchey's Better Beverage "PopKola" bottle, (there was a Ritchey's Better Beverage Bottling Co. in Clarksdale and Indianola, Mississippi)... I also found a huge gauge from an oil tank and a old white tea cup. Today was fun. 

My Goals to Accomplish Before 2015

1.) Build a piano bar...(& sale it)...

2.) Build a sculpture to place in Clarksdale for public display...

3.) Colaborate with Randall Andrews (Delta Debris)

4.) Colaberate with Hayden and Erica Hall (owners of Oxbow)...

5.) Start saving money to open a live in art gallery & supply store for local and traveling artist...

6.) Have the chance to attend an artist workshop...

7.) Co-host an art show with the artist who inspire me...

8.) Get a booth for the Juke Joint Festival 2014...

9.) Build the confidence up to learn how to weld...(I have to admit that it scares me)...

10.) Sale more of my art, because I work so hard and not that many people notice me...

Picking Up the Pieces

  I find myself wherever I am stopping to pick up any little trinket that I spot, whether it’s a lost earring, or a beer bottle top. I have a supply of things at my house, almost too much supply. I need to clean out some of it and soon. I’ll probably just end up trashing most of it, but I’m afraid that once it’s gone I’ll find some clever use for it, or that I'll finally need it for a project. Over the years I have collected barb-wire, bottles, lost and broken jewelry, automotive parts, and basically bit and pieces of almost anything. I have a love of sea glass found on the Mississippi River, old Cypress wood, and rusted metal.

Mosquito Ideas: A Look Into the Mind of Britt Burchfield

  My ideas are like mosquitos. they hover over me, buzz to get my attention, bite me when I'm not looking, and I can kill them, but another one just comes along and takes its place. I usually have anywhere from ten to twenty ideas in my head at once. Not all of them get conceived, created, or given any attention, just the ones that I know I can create or the ones I can achieve. I'd say on a weeks basis I get anywhere from hundreds to thousands of ideas about art; maybe more, its hard to count. Some of my ideas become paintings, sculptures, cabinet curiosities, short stories, mixed media pieces, or sketches; and some just say simple thoughts. I have probably let a potential masterpiece elude me by not giving it any thought or trying to conceive it. many of my works go unseen by the public. I occasionally show them to my family members to get their opinion or perspective of it, but that's as far as I show it. I am going to try and post about and show the art pieces that I create. 

Once Upon A Thread

  Today I'm challenging you to think a little different with this statement: "Not every thread has an end." What I want you to think about is that every textile can be transformed, manipulated, or made new. Say for instance you have a wool sweater that is two sizes too small, don't throw it away! you can take that sweater and repurpose it into many of the following:

• A throw pillow for your couch or bed
• A pair of mittens or gloves for winter
• An insulator for your coffee mug or cappuccino cup
• A cool Beanie hat
• Or save it for Autumn or Halloween and make a scarecrow with it...

*There are so many possibilities, don't limit yourself to just these listed here!!!

You're "Thrifted"

   Thrifting is not a new sport. There are a large number of thrift stores scattered throughout the delta region. Some are name brand like: Goodwill, and The Salvation Army, and others are home-grown, family owned like Begin Again in Batesville, MS. I love going to thrift stores and uncovering or finding something that was used in its day and needs repurposing. the hunt for good bargains gives me an adrenaline rush. Over the past few years I have scored many treasures at a low price! Some famous artist paintings and sketches have been lost for decades then are found in thrift stores. I always look at the picture frames and paintings for art supplies or wall decor.

My Salvaged Life

I love to walk down country roads, in the woods, or on the Mississippi River and salvage things that spark my creativity. I love old wood, rusty metal, lost possessions, bones, and vintage items. I have found just about every kind of item you can think from a vintage Zenith TV in Vicksburg, an army helmet from one of the World Wars, to an ouija board in an abandoned house. I find myself drawn to these things that I find like lost souls who have found each other. I think I was born in the wrong decade. These things make connections with me and I fall in love with them, whether it's as they are or as an object in need of repurposing. I love repurposing these finds into functional art, furniture, or just something from my heart. Many of  the objects I find have seen their best days as what they were, but are in need for a "Salvaging Savor" and that's where I come in. I take that item and give it a new life; a new Feng Shui. My inspirations are Mr. Randall Andrews, Hayden & Erica from Oxbow, & Salvage Dawgs from TV.

What is Bone&Rust Art Co.?

   The idea for Bone & Rust Art Co. started out as an idea for an art supply store and gallery in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Realizing that I didn't have any money to do so, I turned to social media and the Internet. I still have the urge to start it as a local business, but I am waiting. For now this blog is a place for me to show and sale my art work; a portfolio of some kind where you can keep up with my creative process and finished products. In the mean-time I am saving every penny that I can. I hope one day I'll have enough money to rent or purchase a building and explore the adventure of opening an art gallery and store. I (Britt Burchfield) am the owner, artist, and founder of Bone & Rust Art Co.  I am based out of Clarksdale & Tutwiler, Mississippi.