Factory Tours
Lenore Solmo
During the pandemic, as the world slowed down and people found themselves at home with more time on their hands, Lenore Solmo, a seasoned artist and jewelry designer, saw an opportunity in the mounting piles of Amazon boxes and discarded magazines. Rather than letting this waste accumulate, Lenore began to envision it as raw material for her art.
Within her home studio in Bay Ridge, she started with collages, but it wasn’t long before she turned her attention to the plastic caps and lids she noticed on sidewalks. “I envisioned them stacked into totems or buildings,” she recalls. This inspiration led her to create ‘‘Verta Sculptures,’ named for their vertical structure.
Lenore’s artistic exploration didn’t stop there. She began experimenting with plastic bottles, discovering that when heated, they behaved like leaves and flowers, creating a surprisingly organic effect. This realization was a turning point, sparking a series of creations that merged the industrial and the natural in captivating ways.
Her lime green workspace is filled with an array of colorful plastic pieces, ranging in size and complexity. “This one is caps and lids. This is a honey bear that I found. These are all plastic bottles with vintage beads added,” she explains, pointing to various pieces in her studio. Each item tells a story of transformation, from discarded waste to a piece of art.
Lenore’s recent shows displayed these innovative works. Among her favorite products are sea creatures crafted from plastic bottles. “These are all vintage beads, because I was a jewelry designer for many years,” she says. “The plastic bottles suit sea creatures perfectly.”
The process for creating these artworks includes several steps. She starts by collecting and cleaning the plastic materials, often sterilizing them in the dishwasher and removing labels with Goo Gone. After preparing the materials, she cuts and heats the plastic to shape it. Painting is done in her backyard, where she has a dedicated setup for spray painting. With alcohol ink, Lenore has figured out a way to maintain the transparency and vibrancy of the plastics.
These glittering sea creatures and shining Vertas aren’t just about repurposing waste; they’re also deeply personal and constantly evolving. “I’m nowhere near where I’m supposed to be,” Lenore says, expressing the artist’s desire for continuous growth. She wants to explore more fiber materials, like vegetable bags and clamshells from salads, which she envisions as mini canvases for her designs.
Despite working from home, which can sometimes feel isolating, Lenore finds joy and fulfillment in her art. “It’s just lonely,” she admits, but the creative freedom and the ability to make a mess are advantages she appreciates. “Every advantage is also a disadvantage,” she adds, acknowledging the blurred lines between work and personal life.
The financial challenges of being a maker are significant, especially transitioning from the fashion industry to the art world. “I’m learning how to apply for grants, which is all new for me,” she notes. The grant application process is time-consuming and requires a different mindset, but it’s a necessary part of sustaining her artistic practice. Lenore’s pieces are all available for sale on her website and make for perfect one-of-a-kind home decor.
Lenore is excited about the future, envisioning large-scale public installations and continually seeking opportunities to showcase her work. “I spend a lot of my day looking for opportunities,” she says. This persistent search for possibilities fuels her hope and keeps her motivated, despite the frequent rejections that come with the territory.
Lenore Solmo’s work not only highlights the beauty in the discarded but also reflects her resilience and passion as an artist. The ability to see trash and know that it not only has more to offer, but it holds hidden beauty, isn’t commonplace — and neither are Lenore’s sculptures.