Patching the Infrastructure

Above:  Patching the Infrastructure, Toni Youngblood, 2011, Encaustic and oil pastel on board. 

I had in mind  while painting this piece, making efficient use of  land and existing infrastructure.  Also, I thought about the opportunity to to increase the density of inner-city residential units for sustainable communities.  Suburban sprawl uses undeveloped land which necessitates building new infrastructure and requires more and longer travel into the city center.   

Definition of INFRASTRUCTURE

1 : the underlying foundation or basic framework (as of a system or organization)

2

: the permanent installations required for military purposes

3

: the system of public works of a country, state, or region;also : the resources (as personnel, buildings, or equipment) required for an activity

And there is also Wikipedia, for more detail on "infrastructure".

The words "PATCHING THE INFRASTRUCTURE" are layered into this piece in the cool colors.   The word "CONNECT" appears in a contrasting warm color.

I am pleased with the direction the zoning is going in my own city to take advantage of the existing central assets and infrastructure.  An example is allowing the opportunity for accessory  units within the city. 

WHY ARE ACCESSORY UNITS IMPORTANT?

· Accessory units are a source of affordable housing for small households.

· Accessory units adapt existing housing stock.

· Installation upgrades and improves the property.

· Accessory units make efficient use of land and existing infrastructure.

· Accessory units may encourage economic and personal support between two separate households.

· Accessory units generate rental income for home owners.

 With this new opportunity in our city, if you want to build a secondary dwelling unit on your property, it will be an easier task obtaining permits, for example.  Teachers, service people, police can afford living within the city with less commuting and associated fuel usage and time, and instead will know the commitment of being part of the community in which they work.

Patching the Infrastructure for me means caring for, maintaining, building upon and using what we already have to our best advantage.

Exhibit at Westminster College Music Department

All photos by Toni Youngblood
This exhibit displays violins painted by various artists to represent different countries.

Project Work Space Organization

via rol.vn

One of my former posts spoke about garage organization. See it here:  A Beautiful Chaos/Garage/Workshop/Studio.    At the time I was bemoaning the result of a cataclysmic decline in organization of my own garage/workshop stimulated by the acquisition of a large amount of tools, equipment, hardware, lumber, etc. in a within a few days' time from friends moving out of state.

My post exhibited examples of organized garage spaces ... mainly for my own inspiration and encouragement, and avoided posting photos of the condition of my own garage space at the time.

I am happy to report that progress is being made on improving the layout and organization of my own garage/workshop/studio space.

The special guy in my life is nearly finished with constructing a large, sturdy workbench on which I may work on the heaviest of projects.  One of the great features of the new work bench is that it was constructed with recycled materials.  The main structure of the bench is made from the lumber of a demolished deck from my friends' yard and the left overs from my backroom remodel.

 The new bench figures heavily in the new layout and function of my workshop.  I will post photos of the new bench and the new space layout when completed.

 For now, I'm posting an additional collection of idea photos which help keep me heading in the happy direction of the type of space that makes what I do easier.

So important is a logical place for everything so you may put your hand on the right tool right when you need it.

 Room to spread out and do the job properly without running into clutter and obstacles makes the job easier and less stressful.

Check out this transformative idea for storing garden tools at Trash to Treasure.  

There is more to come on this topic.

Friday April 20th Gallery Stroll

This month Charley Hafen Jewelers - Gallery features painter Anni Stafford’s exhibit  “New Works”, exploring diversity and color in her portraits, figures and people living their daily activities.

Above:  Paintings by Anni Stafford

Above:  Painting by Anni Stafford
For a complete list of exhibits on this month's Gallery Stroll's website, click here.

Mark your calendar for an exhibit of paintings by our artist friend, Joseph Cipro coming up Friday & Saturday April 27th and 28th:

Above:  Paintings by Joseph Cipro

Above:  Painting by Joseph Cipro

Small Casual Dining

Sometimes informal intimate dining with a friend or two makes for the best of times.  (Photo credits where credit is due)

 Chairs, nor dinnerware---nothing has to match, but hearts and souls.

 The most beautiful view?  The genuine smile of a friend.

Above:  A favorite spot for sharing a meal with my significant other.  (Photo:  Toni Youngblood)

Wonder: Am I the last to know...

You can now get a chicken coup through Williams-Sonoma?
Chicken Coups at Williams-Sonoma Agrarian
I was shopping the W-S bridal registry and ran across this.  My mention is not meant as promotion of W-S, only as an observation of how "growing your own" is becoming accepted in the mainstream of our culture.

One of my favorite documentaries is "The Power of Community" on the topic of "The Special Period" in Cuba.  See short clips here.

The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil
41:25 - 3 years ago

When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1990, Cuba's economy went into a tailspin. With imports of oil cut by more than half – and food by 80 percent – people were desperate. This film tells of the hardships and struggles as well as the community and creativity of the Cuban people during this difficult time. Cubans share how they transitioned from a highly mechanized, industrial agricultural system to one using organic methods of farming and local, urban gardens. It is an unusual look into the Cuban culture during this economic crisis, which they call "The Special Period." The film opens with a short history of Peak Oil, a term for the time in our history when world oil production will reach its all-time peak and begin to decline forever. Cuba, the only country that has faced such a crisis – the massive reduction of fossil fuels – is an example of options and hope. The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil is a project of The Community Solution, a non-profit organization that designs and teaches low-energy solutions to the current unsustainable, fossil fuel based, industrialized, and centralized way of living. Visit www.communitysolution.org for more information. Film length = 53mins Plus 4 extras at the end (after the credits) Student Agriculture, Eco Village, Rural Solar Power & Architecture (less than 2mins each)«

More From My Decor & Furnishings Workshop

Jewelry or Cupcakes?
See more photos of this restored display cabinet here.

 Above:  Jewelry Case

Above:  Pastry Case