WORDS UP / self-realization

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As you inquire into your true nature through constant reflection

on the nature of reality, the nature of the true Self is revealed.

Chandra Om ~ (from The Holy Science of Yoga)

ARCHITECTURE: Concrete Studio / Austin Texas / Mell Lawrence Architects

What an oasis. This studio is built entirely from concrete.

Architects: Mell Lawrence

ARCHITECTURE: Erin Moore's Watershed House

The perfect writing nook.

"Watershed House is a 100-square-foot writer’s retreat located in Wren, Oregon designed by architect, Erin Moore of FLOAT Architectural Research and Design. Erin built this small studio for her mother who is a noted nature writer. The intention of this retreat is to have a place to observe the surrounding ecology without disturbing it. The sustainable retreat is off the grid with no direct road access. It is constructed from prefabricated recyclable materials that can be easily assembled and disassembled. A chute from the roof is designed to let rainwater trickle down a water trough just outside, creating another element of nature with the sounds of rain."

(info from I design Arch)

WEEKEND: Sandboxes and Youth

Remember the sandbox? I loved playing in the sandbox. Especially on the beaches in Connecticut. This weekend I dedicate youth and the joy of playing the sandbox to you. Play, love life.

photo: Melanie Acevedo

KITCHEN: Plain English Design

Contemporary Country beauty. Made in England by Plain English Design.

KITCHEN: Workstead/ Brooklyn

Gorgeous "Sliding Kitchen" made by Workstead in Brooklyn, NY

FURNITURE: Truck

Have great weekend.

I love the look of Truck furniture. Ahh that bed.

TAKE NOTE: Eddie Vedder, "Society"

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Oh, it's a mystery to me
We have a greed with which we have agreed
And you think you have to want more than you need
Until you have it all you won't be free

Society, you're a crazy breed
Hope you're not lonely without me...

When you want more than you have
You think you need...
And when you think more than you want
Your thoughts begin to bleed
I think I need to find a bigger place
Because when you have more than you think
You need more space

Society, you're a crazy breed
Hope you're not lonely without me...
Society, crazy indeed
Hope you're not lonely without me...

There's those thinking, more-or-less, less is more
But if less is more, how you keeping score?
Means for every point you make, your level drops
Kinda like you're starting from the top
You can't do that...

Society, you're a crazy breed
Hope you're not lonely without me...
Society, crazy indeed
Hope you're not lonely without me...

Society, have mercy on me
Hope you're not angry if I disagree...
Society, crazy indeed
Hope you're not lonely without me...

Eddie Vedder, "Society"

WORDS UP: Calm Mind

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Only a calm mind can meditate.

- Chandra Om

WORDS UP: Swami Sivananda

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"Crave for a thing, you will get it. Renounce the craving, the object will follow you by itself."

Swami Sivananda

"If you do not know the laws of right conduct, you cannot form your character."

Swami Sivananda

AMARIDIAN ARTIST PROFILE: ABOUBAKAR FOFANA

AMARIDIAN ARTIST PROFILE: ABOUBAKAR FOFANA

Aboubakar Fofana was born in Bamako, Mali and has lived in France for over thirty years. He is a calligrapher, artist and textile designer now based in Bamako. He uses ancient African weaving and dying techniques to create a solidly contemporary body of work. Using organic fibers and natural dyes, he is committed to preserving and revitalizing Mali's nearly lost tradition of natural indigo and vegetable dying. Profoundly concerned with maintaining Mali's cultural heritage, he has sought out the remaining masters of old weaving and dying, learning from them their 'savoir-faire'.

Time and the changing nature of matter are underlying, recurrent themes in his artistic work. Of course vegetable and mud dyeing address this theme intrinsically as a medium. He weaves, dyes and assembles primarily locally grown organic cotton but also employs hemp, jute, linen, silk and other un-treated fibers that are perfectly suited to natural dyes.

Aboubakar Fofana has significant experience living and working in Japan. His unique collaboration with Japan's Masakazu Akiyama taught him the art of silk raising, weaving and dying; marking his evolution as an artist. He regularly participates in conferences organized internationally on textile art in general but also on more technical subjects of natural dying techniques. His work has been exhibited on numerous occasions in Japan, France, America and Africa.