Solar Light

We have all seen the unicef advertisements featuring third world countries and their lack of food, water and sufficient housing. Unfortunately these third world problems are often approached with first world solutions that are unsustainable under the current conditions.
In Sito Maligaya; a small town in the Philippines made up of small dark buildings placed close together a man has come up with an inventive and sustainable solution for electric lights. Watch this video to see how solar energy works in a third world town.

Forging Swords

Traditional craftsmen are few and far between in this digital age. In most areas machinery has adequately replaced human hands but certain items need a little more attention. Machines can make great hammers but to create the perfect balance in a sword it takes many years of training and a critical human eye. Today there are only 30 recognized craftsmen in Japan that make swords for a living. It is a dying art that has been passed down through the generations.
Korehira Watanabe believes in passing down these techniques as authentically as possible. He recognized an intense passion for sword making in his mentor and he is now passing that along to the next generation. Watch this video for a glimpse into his world of historical swords.

Fantastic worlds

As a child much of my time was spent creating fantastical worlds of make believe. One of my favorite childhood toys was a hand made doll house built and furnished by my grandparents. I loved the miniature furniture and all the details that were lovingly put into the house.
I am reminded of these imaginative childhood moments when I see the care and details put into the sets and scenery for the movie Fantastic Mr. Fox. Wes Anderson immersed himself in Roald Dahl's world and created Mr. Fox's habitat right to the last detail.
Watch this video to get a behind the scenes view of the inspiration for Fantastic Mr. Fox!

Recycled Homes

What does your dream house look like? Perhaps it is a mansion in a gated community or a rustic beach front cottage; maybe it has a white picket fence. Our general idea of the perfect home is largely based on symmetry and perfection and the constant competition of not being the neighborhood eye sore. Dan Phillips builds his homes with imperfect and recycled materials creating an off balance elegance and heightened function. Each home is unique and leaves a considerably smaller environmental footprint on our Earth.
check out this video to see some of his innovative creations!

Sustainable Tools

In an age when most of our time is spent sitting in front of a computer, tools are often cyber applications that one might find under 'File' or 'Edit.' Physical tools and the craftsmen and women that wield them have become a minority in our modern society. Small jobs such as installing windows or painting walls are more often carried out by specialty companies and their trained workers.
Not so long ago these skills were learned by everyone as were the techniques to use the tools required for the never ending list of domestic jobs. My Dad's toolbox spills out into the rest of the garage and although his collection seems excessive every single tool has been used at one time or another.
Sustainable living requires us to have the skills to get by on our own and H.G. Brack is salvaging the tools we need. He collects, recycles and resells tools to those who wish to break free from the corporations and lead a sustainable lifestyle. His passion for tools is inspiring and I hope you enjoy this quick video!

Inspiration through Classical Music

How can perspective change our lives? Is the glass half empty or half full or maybe both all at once.
Benjamin Zander teaches through classical music how different perspectives can completely change a situation. As a conductor he inspires his audience to really listen and understand the music and then apply that understanding to their lives. He uses the music to move his audience and then encourages us to think outside of the box and inspire people in our own lives with our own passion.
I hope you enjoy this video as much as I did!

Fail Harder

"Fail Harder" together these two words fight against all of the slogans ingrained in my brain throughout my public education experience. As a child we are told to work hard and try our best, and we diligently do so because of the ever constant fear of failure.
Fail: to fall short of an accomplishment, to get less than a passing grade in school, to die...etc.
Failure is a scary word which is mostly associated with not being enough or being 'less than'. In school children fear letting down their parents by getting an F and being made fun of in front of their peers. When you reach adulthood failure is more often weighed with risk and personal humiliation. What we forget are the lessons that come with the failure. The things we learn from what goes wrong ultimately will contribute to all the wondrous things that go right. Unfortunately the only way to really learn these lessons is to fail and sometimes we must fail over and over to get the lesson. The harder we fail the more we will learn, and the more we learn the wiser we shall become in our decision making.
This message of failing in a grand scale is simply communicated in this art instillation by the use of thumbtacks. It is simple and effective and reminds us not to fear our failure but to do our best in life and learn from all the things that don't turn out just right.
Fail Harder

Gravity Painting

I love watching time capture videos of artists working because everyone's process is different. Personally I try to be very precise and painstakingly exact. Because of this I greatly admire artists that just let the painting happen.
Amy Shackleton allows her paint to drip and run down the canvas, turning it to create different lines and effects. She essentially allows gravity to pull the paint down across the canvas creating memorizing landscapes with bold colours and shapes.
Watch this time lapse video to experience this for yourself!

Sustainable Bread

I have recently been inspired by this video to forage into the world of home made bread. Yeast used to be a scary thing in my world but I am facing my fears and am determined to gain the skills required to make one of the worlds oldest staples.
Don Lewis operates a commercial bakery using flour from his own sustainable flour mill. Sustainable living comes from supporting our local businesses and natural resources instead of shipping goods made over seas. Local food is fresher and there is more control over pesticides and possible contaminants, making local foods the healthier and safer option.
Watch this inspiring video to see how bread can change the way we eat, think and work!

Traditional Art Turned Digital

The question as to whether digital 'painting' can be considered fine art or just graphic design is one that has plagued the art community in recent years. Some define painting as a physical relationship between the paintbrush, paint and canvas carefully controlled by a skilled craftsman. But many others feel that the digital paint used in photoshop and similar programs is of an equal artistic value.
Personally I have always felt that since there is no original final copy to hang on a wall, digital painting, while respectable as a medium is perhaps not as 'fine' an art as an oil painting. There is also the constant concern that the images originated from a photograph making the artwork slightly less original.
This video however shows the skill needed to produce awe inspiring digital paintings. After watching this time lapse video I can not discredit the digital medium and have much respect for this talented artist!
Raffy Dematawaran is one talented guy!

Art of Whimsy

I have always admired artists that create a sense of whimsy in their work. Something that transports you to a new world of possibilities where anything is possible. John A. Kurtz has successfully found this porthole in his artwork.


His creative illustrations have been seen all over the world in such publications as Libido, Playboy and Chicago Magazines. I encourage you to check out his website to view more of his fantastical Art!


Check out his website, John A. Kurtz and have a fantastic and whimsical day!

Love Yourself Today

This story is for the days that just don't go right. For the day that you wake up late, spill your coffee and feel that your problems are worse than anyone elses!
On these days I can whine for hours about how difficult my life is, completely forgetting about how lucky I really am.
This video will put everything in perspective for you and hopefully inspire you to share the love.
Nick Vujicic is genuine and inspiring and will change your life!

Nick's Story

Romantic Paper Cuts

Rob Ryan takes the simple act of cutting paper to the next level. His whimsical and romantic imagery transports you to a two dimensional world without limits. His vision is realized through paper cut images that move and touch your heart. His work is honest and bold and warms my heart.
This short etsy video takes you into Mr. Rob's studio where you will experience his process and see his visions realized.

Mr. Rob's studio experience

Dance in the Rain

"Don't wait for the storm to pass, learn to dance in the rain"