Meet Rebecca of Remnants by RJ. Rebecca makes some fantastically cute robots out of various recycled items. Each one is very creative and some are even quite useful! Let’s hear what she has to say…
Background -
I was born in Olathe, KS and have lived in the Kansas City area
most of my life. I did venture away for college (attending Southern Nazarene
University in Oklahoma) and lived a few years in Houston, TX after college, but
came back home to put down roots. Where else would I want to raise a family?
Finding the Handmade in Kansas City community a couple of years
ago has helped me connect with other great artists and makers in the area. It’s
so rewarding to be a part of a group of people that “get” you.
Original
career plan -
As an English/Creative Writing student in college, I had no plans
of ever doing anything in art. I simply wanted to write. Fast forward 10 years,
a few administrative/marketing jobs later, and a small pack of children—and I
found myself interested in mosaics. I’d seen a beautiful outdoor mosaic “table”
(broken pottery on a large landscape rock) at a friend’s wedding and felt
inspired to try it. It wasn’t long into my mosaic foray before I started
incorporating found objects and other unusual materials. That naturally led
into the thought of making sculptures—you know, playing with found objects without the hassle of grout. I was
hooked.
Making recycled robots was a perfect fit for me. I love all things
metal. I really love my drill press. And I love transforming discarded bits of
life into characters with a personality and story (that’s where my writing
background comes in). As I’ve grown and established my business, I’ve become
passionate about using recycled materials almost exclusively and about
promoting creativity. I love connecting with people and helping change the way
they see the world.
You can find this adorable Geek Bot in Rebecca's Etsy Store.
Creative process -
Remnants by RJ is simply that—a collection of society’s cast off “remnants”
I transform into fun, quirky pieces of art. I see robot heads, arms, legs
everywhere I go. It’s a change in perspective when you think about what
something could be, instead of what
it just is.
I collect materials primarily from flea markets, antique stores,
and secondhand online sites. If it’s metal, I’m interested. Usually, I start
with one central piece and a spark of an idea. Through trial and error
assimilation, I find the pieces that go together to make just the right bot. I
like to think of my work as a robot that was disassembled somewhere along the
way, and I’m bringing the pieces back together so it can be the robot it was
always meant to be.
This is Walt, the rescued Robot clock. If you've fallen in love, you can buy him here.
Hardest
lesson learned -
The hardest lesson for me has been believing in myself. Not
everyone is going to get me, and that’s okay. I‘m learning to have confidence
in my art and be fine with who I am. I make robots, and I love it.
Star Wars Inspired Bitty Bots. They are available for adoption here.
What are you
currently working on in the studio?
I’m always working on different robots in my workshop. I usually
have 2-3 in various stages of completion as I settle on just the right fit. I’m
also working on one of my biggest projects yet—a dragon. His body is a cool
vintage doll suitcase that will be covered with penny “scales.” I found a large
aluminum bendy-pipe-thing in a ReStore shop (Habitat for Humanity store), and
it is going to become a fantastic tail. I’m also contemplating umbrella wings
so they can fold and unfold. It’s going to be epic . . . when it all comes
together.
Hopes/dreams/future plans?
Light up the night with this Airplane Night Light. You can find it for sale here.
Wondering where you can find Rebecca?
Remnants by RJ
Rebecca Jackson
Website: remnantsbyrj.com
Etsy: Remnantsbyrj.etsy.com
Facebook: facebook.com/RemnantsRJ
Instagram: RemnantsbyRJ
Twitter: RemnantsbyRJ
Email: info@remnantsbyrj.com
Thank you to Tania from Ivory Isis for putting this blog post together.
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