It was just happenstance that Corinna Kaufman stumbled upon a green seaweed bookmark one day while browsing in a bookstore in Massachusetts as a child. But, it was the inspiration that propelled her into collecting seaweed she found nearby her home on Martha’s Vineyard and transforming it into art.
The self-taught artist began making seaweed art cards at a young age, which caught the attention of renowned photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt, when he came across them and bought all that were available.
After various jobs over the years, the Novato resident threw herself back into seaweed art later in life, returning to her roots with seaweed art cards, as well as creating larger-scale compositions and prints of handpicked seaweed on paper and canvas she makes in her home studio. Her creations, which don’t alter the seaweed in any way, are meant to showcase the marine plants’ natural beauty. They can found at Copperfield’s Books in Novato and the Bay Model in Sausalito, as well as on her website at seaweedartist.com.
In addition to her art, Kaufman wrote a book, “How to Quit Whatever You Want to Quit: Ten Steps to Overcoming Lifelong Addictions,” after overcoming a 20-year eating disorder and addictive tendencies. The 2004 book is a personal look at her healing journey in which she offers advice and a step-by-step process for people suffering from addiction.
Courtesy of Corinna Kaufman
Corinna Kaufman’s seaweed creations showcase its natural beauty.Q What is it about seaweed that’s captured your heart since childhood?
A My parents were spear fishermen from Europe. I was 5 weeks old the first time I was on the beach. The first time I looked in the water, I was in awe with how beautiful it was, and then as soon as I was swimming with my parents, I noticed the beautiful pink and purple seaweeds that were in the water. And when my parents would shoot fish, it was my job to gather a handful of seaweed. After killing the fish, I would cover them with seaweed. I started playing with seaweed even before I saw the green bookmark.
Q What inspired your seaweed art later in life?
A I was in living in Fairfax. I had just gotten over a 20-year eating disorder. I was 36 years old, and my life was ahead of me. Imagine having like a ball and chain on each foot and each wrist and being unable to live as a normal person, and all of a sudden, life was possible. I thought to myself, what do I like to do? What am I good at? I am good at seaweed art and I remembered Alfred and I called him to see if he remembered me and, lo and behold, he did. He got all excited and we had a lovely chat.
Q What do you want people to get from your work?
A I want them to help me help save nature by seeing its beauty. I want to share the excitement that I have about the ocean with kids. I want to take them to the beach and show them the beautiful things in the sand and the seaweed and get them excited about it, because if they are excited about it, they’ll want to save it.
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June 07, 2020 at 02:02AM
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Novato artist’s seaweed art celebrates marine plants’ beauty - Marin Independent Journal
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