Artists honor Michael Jackson

Artist Kim Nguyen held her work aloft for potential buyers to see only feet from Michael Jackson’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/07/05/art.artist.cnn.jpg caption="Kim Nguyen held her work aloft for potential buyers to see only feet from Michael Jackson’s star."]
Nguyen’s “eco-art” featured images of the singer created using only recycled materials such as plastic bags, cardboard and old newspapers. She had come all the way from Dallas, Texas, she said, to pay tribute to another great artist in the only way she knew.

“[Michael Jackson] was such an idol to everyone,” Nguyen said as she competed against the likes of Spiderman, characters from “Pirates of the Caribbean” and some guys dressed like the members of KISS for the attention of those passing by. “He expressed himself through his music, and I express myself through my art, but we both have a message.”

Nguyen said her message was one of being green and eco-friendly, which is why she uses no paints and no toxins. She started working on the pieces as soon as she learned of Jackson’s death and made her way to Los Angeles early this week.

“I knew everyone would be here to pay their respects,” said Nguyen, whose pieces were selling for $20 a piece. “So many people are here.”

Steven Nash didn’t have to travel far to show off his works of art. The South Central Los Angeles resident allowed tourists to take pictures of his 18 by 24 portraits.

The concept was simple: the front page of The Los Angeles Times newspaper announcing Jackson’s death decorated with glitter and in large, glass frames. Nash said he was inspired by the man and the music.

“It was a way of me expressing how I felt about him and what he meant to us,” Nash said. “He gave himself to the world because he wanted to share his talent with the world.”

It's a sentiment any artist could understand.

–Lisa Respers France, CNN.com writer