Connecticut Artist Transforms Trash Into Stunning Animal Sculptures

One inspiring artist collects trash and turns it into art.

As shared by Nice News, a Connecticut artist named Stephanie Hongo quit her job five years ago to follow her passion for art. She began creating her junk sculptures of different animals, which have gone viral online.

Hongo told Nice News that she started her career with a blue deer named Yandoo.

“It was probably the best and the biggest response that I’d ever gotten from any piece of work that I’d ever made,” she told Nice News. “But I also just felt super fulfilled doing that kind of art.”

In only a few years, she has made over 160 sculptures that allow her to follow her passion for art full-time.

“It’s amazing,” she told the outlet. “I truly do sit in gratitude about this probably every day … just thinking about how lucky I am.”

Hongo said that she collects trash from her friends and family, as well as community groups and HVAC companies that have leftover material. Although she appreciates the response to her environmentally-friendly work of art, her main message is to follow your dreams.

“The most important thing that I want people to get out of it, if there's anything, is that if you're unhappy, you should do something about it,” Hongo said. “Life is just too short to do something you hate.”

Pictured above is an elk busy named Arlo that was sold for $2,000 dollars.

Pictured above is an elephant head named Eloise. Although a fan asked, she did not share how much the elephant sold for.

Pictured above is a peacock named Quinn that was sold for $700 dollars.

Hongo explained, “I’ve been working at this guy on and off through commissioned work to add to my “available pieces” portfolio. So many people have asked me if I’ve made a peacock yet, but so far no one had commissioned one.. So here he is.”

She said he was “a bit of a departure” from her usual work because she purchased peacock feathers toad to his tail. “I was on the fence about this decision because I could have made my own from junk but ultimately decided I wanted to try something new by using the real thing,” she explained.

“I went for a more icon-type design in the body shape,” she added. “Normally I use real-life references for my pieces but a peacock seemed like a fun creature to stylize.”

Pictured above is a fox named Fable that sold for $600 dollars. She also shared photos of Fable as he was being completed in the pictures below.

More of her beautiful work is available to purchase on her website.