INDA

Sustainable Artists Showcase: Michael C. McMillen

Michael C. McMillen is a mixed-media artist based in Santa Monica, California, whose installations and sculptures made out of recyclable materials, or as he calls them "the cast-offs of our material society," play around the themes of time, change, and illusion as a means to create what he refers to as "visual spiritual poetry." It's very interesting work with a magic of its own. The two friends I've brought with me to view his work have referred to his pieces as post-apocalyptic. I see it more as a beautiful display of decay. They had a similar eerie effect on me as when I visited a ghost town of the Gold Rush era, here in California, for the first time. Like a glimpse at the ancient ruins of the future. To fully appreciate his installations you really must experience them. You can view his work in person at an upcoming exhibit at the Oakland Museum of California from April 16, 2011 to August 14, 2011, entitled Train of Thought .

How To Hike Safely

I started taking my love for hiking seriously about 17 years ago, while living a few blocks from Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley, CA. Tilden was a dream hiking and biking training ground. But when I first started hiking some of the most beautiful trails of the Bay Area of California, I found myself unprepared and scared in the middle of some remote hikes. Whether running out of water, running out of energy without a snack to pick me up, getting devoured by insects, getting painfully sunburnt, blistering my feet... you name it, I've experienced it all. Now that I know how to prepare, I enjoy my hikes a lot more. All these years exploring nature trails in the western and now eastern Unite States, as well as in places where I've traveled to, earned me a wealth of experience that I now can share with beginner nature explorers. Here is a list that I compiled of what I consider the basic most important things to know to keep you safe and make your hikes more enjoyable. 1. Pick T

Designing Flower Arrangements

I'm so inspired by all I learned about beautiful flowers and flower arrangement by completing the Heartfelt Floristry: Fundamentals of Floral Design workshop with "La Musa de las Flores" Gabriela Salazar. "Flowers are not just beautiful to arrange, but working with them teaches you how to be patient, kind, resilient, and graceful - offering immeasurable life lessons." ~ Gabriela Salazar In the workshop I learned everything: choosing flowers and the right vessels, processing and taking care of flowers, and how to create different floral compositions. Find my workshop notes below, in case it may inspire you to design with flowers too. I. SELECTING A VESSEL Consider: Color Texture Size Material Think about the shape, size, and where the arrangement is going to be placed: entrance, dining room, living room, event... Neutral Vessels - are vessels that work well with any flower. Gabriela arranging flowers with a neutral vessel. Vessels with Personality - are ve

Places To Go With Your Pooch

As most poodle and poodle mixes, my Maltipoo pooch is very smart, playful, and has a lot of energy. So I've had to get creative finding new places and experiences to share with him. Here's a list of some of my pooch's favorite spots: 1. Woodland Sunny loves to go on hikes in the woodlands and the creek around where we live. He loves to watch (sometimes chase) beautiful wild creatures like bunnies, squirrels, and deer. Rainy days don't stop us from going outdoors and smelling the flowers. The right gear, such as a good raincoat, will protect your dog from getting drenched on rainy days. Make sure that you s afeguard your dog with anti tick, flea, and worms medicine and vaccinations to protect it from wild factors that indoor domestic pets may not be immuned to. 2. Waterside Walkways and Hikes Sunny loves any body of water: beach, lake, river, creek... especially if it has other living creatures to look at. This is his favorite local hiking spot in Lake Michael Park.

Permaculture Design

Are you interested in learning how to lead a more sustainable lifestyle? Are you interested in learning about the sustainable design of organic edible gardens or landscapes? Are you curious about natural building methods and sustainable development systems? Do you want inspiration for a life-changing way of thinking? I've been loving learning about permaculture and permaculture design throughout the years! Permaculture education is positively life-changing and could also be career inspiring. You can incorporate permaculture principles to your lifestyle, or start making the sustainable landscaping and building design projects of your dreams! Gain knowledge and skills with this free e-course! Free Foundational Permaculture Classes from Oregon State University Ecampus. CLICK HERE TO START YOUR PERMACULTURE JOURNEY

Forest Bathing &
The Healthy Glow

The glow is real! I always feel so good after a hike, bike, even a simple walk in the forest. I return home a new person, relieved and restored. Even glowing! Immersing in the forest not only has a great effect on your wellbeing, it also contributes to having a youthful healthy radiant appearance. And there is a name for this scientifically proven natural therapy—forest bathing. While many cultures have long recognized the health benefits of spending time in nature, it was the Japanese who first gave a name to the experience of mindfully communing with nature. The term shinrin-yoku (“forest bathing” or “taking in the forest atmosphere”) emerged in Japan in the 1980s to refer to a physiological and psychological ecotherapy that offers an antidote to tech-boom burnout while inspiring people to reconnect with and protect forests. The idea of forest bathing is to be free from distractions and not have a set agenda other than enjoying, soaking up, and experiencing nature as you spend time

Ursula Barnes

Cat and a Ball on a Waterfall , oil on canvas board Found this piece by Ursula Barnes in the Self Taught section of the Gallery of California Art at the Oakland Museum. I'm in love with her style. It would look really good in a wall I started at my house of found art. So far I have two pieces with wooden frames that I found earlier this year that are going to be the center of the wall. I wish I would've spotted this at the Alameda Market instead of the museum. But that makes me really excited to go to the market at the end of the month to see if I can find more silly treasures to add to my wall, which I finally got around to decorate after three months of living in my new abode in downtown Berkeley. I'll only be here for another year, so that gives me the freedom to experiment and make a temporary exhibit of the silly stuff I've found in the bay.

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