Recently I learned there are 7800+ MIA Korean War. If not for my father being sent to Germany during his Service in the Korean War, his name could be on the lists. This caused me a shock with my sewing machines- Singer now manufactures in China and Brazil, so their bottom line of profit depends on China. China is the ally of both Russia and North Korea, and we are still at war with North Korea.
Although 90% of our products come from China, I have started to eliminate them from my life and am keeping wither those tools I make myself, or that are American. It's a huge shock and a huge task.
My criteria in the past as a Fine Artist has been to use the best materials. I was recently venturing into using American or hand-made fabrics for landscape design, but kept running into my Singer sewing machines. I have some oil paintings to finish, and am going to finish some of them with oil pastel over oil- and of course "the best" oil pastels are not American, but French. The Statue of Liberty being given to us by France is not a strong enough reason for me to use Senneliers over - wait for it - Crayola Oil Pastels. I love Crayola crayons, and making my own crayons came out of knowing the high quality of Crayola crayons. I have worked extensively in oil pastel and crayon, but do not in any way expect to Crayola oil pastels to be on the level of Senneliers, Holbein, or any of the major brands.
However, Crayola is still based in the U.S. and manufactures in the U.S., in Pennsylvania. So, instead of spinning my own wool and cotton for quilts for Veterans, instead of painting flags, I am going to work in Crayola oil pastels or crayons. I believe it is going to simplify my art on many levels - quality - color range-longevity-but at the same time, will not be supporting either China or North Korea. I will use cardboard for a support if I have to. American hardboard.
I will be posting photos of work in Crayola products as I do them. As a side note, Dixon Ticonderoga is now owned by foreigners. A heartbreak, just like Levi's and Singer.
