Unconventional Dwellings Talk at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philly

If you're in the Philadelphia area, please join me this Thursday, May 23rd at the Academy of Natural Sciences where I'll be giving a lecture! I will be discussing housing options in the context of natural disasters, climate change and how we can prepare our housing stock for upcoming challenges. With me, will be Jonah Reynolds, who is a world-renowned Earthship builder and educator and who will also be speaking. The free event is open to the public and there will even be drinks and snacks! Please RSVP here!

Gardening With 4 Feet of Snow in my Yard

There's still 4 feet of snow in my yard. We won't be driving home for at least another month and the aspens aren't even close to blooming. It may still be winter here, but it's spring everywhere else, and I have a strong desire to be planting, tending and working in the yard. Since that isn't possible, I filled that urge with some small indoor plantings. I have a small obsession with terrariums and while I don't have a particularly green thumb, I certainly wish I did. Maybe if I keep practicing, I'll develop a green thumb.

Atmospheric Intentions Show

Last night's show at Gallery MAR was fantastic. It was a beautiful show and a great crowd filtered through the gallery. I was honored to have my work hung next to Shawna Moore's. Here's some pictures from the show. If you missed it last night, please stop by and see it in person!

Atmospheric Intentions at Gallery MAR This Friday!

After working hard all winter, the fruits of my labor will be on display at Gallery MAR for my shared show "Atmospheric Intentions" with fellow encaustic artist Shawna Moore. We've both been working with the wax as a way to create space, air, depth, light and movement and the show is definitely some of our best work to date. When Shawna and I named the show, we wanted to literally create an intention that would guide us through our process, and 'Atmosphere' was our preferred ideal. Please stop by the public reception on Friday, March 29th from 6-9 to say hi and see our new work!

Urgent Architecture Interview on Park City TV

Yesterday was the 2nd year anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, so it was an appropriate day to talk about designing for disasters and my new book, Urgent Architecture. I was on both the local radio station - KPCW and our local Park City TV.

Making of Space in Between

I have a small studio - it's only 150 sq ft. This last week I completed the biggest painting I've ever done - a 60 x 40 inch megalith called Space In Between. The painting was completed in advance for my upcoming show at Gallery MAR, "Atmospheric Intentions" in conjunction with my mentor's work, Shawna Moore. The painting itself is 16 sq ft, meaning while I was working on it, it took up 10% of my studio. I am thrilled with how it came out, but am also happy to see it hanging on the wall in the gallery ready for the show and out of my studio.

Urgent Architecture Book Launch in NYC

If you're in the NYC area this week, please join me in celebration of the launch of my book, Urgent Architecture: 40 Sustainable Housing Solutions for a Changing World. Published by W.W. Norton, the book covers a wide range of housing solutions that address natural disasters. If you're interested in humanitarian design, emergency shelters, sustainable housing, self-sufficient design or resilient architecture, I think you'll like it. We're holding a book signing party in Manhattan at Van Alen Books on Thursday, March 7th from 7-9 pm. Please RSVP to npb@wwnorton.com if you want to come. 

Donation for National Ability Center Gala & Auction

Splendors of a Good Day, encaustic painting, 20 x 18 in

The National Ability Center is an amazing organization in Park City that gives people with disabilities the chance to enjoy the outdoors and learn new skills. Whether it's rock climbing, horse back riding, skiing, or playing sports, there's a lot of opportunities. The NAC is having their annual gala benefit and auction this weekend - Red White & Snow. In support of their efforts, I've donated a painting to the auction. If you happen to be attending, you have a chance to get one of my paintings and support this great non-profit.

Mapmaking & GIS Flashback

Long before I ever started painting with encaustics or writing about sustainable architecture, I was in grad school at Stanford. I took a couple classes in GIS and was completely enamored. Had I realized  when I was younger that I could make maps for a living, I'm certain my professional life would look a lot different. Regardless, my love for maps runs strong. I'm very excited to be taking an online class through Skillshare - Map Design by Anne Ditmeyer. Can't wait to immerse myself once again in the world of maps and I hope to figure out a way to incorporate them into my artwork. But here's a picture of a map I made using GIS to determine the wind resources in the ski resorts in Park City, UT and in Big Cottonwood Canyon. If you know the area, maybe you can figure out which resorts are which.

In Process: Atmospheric Intentions

March is a big month for me. My book, Urgent Architecture published by W.W. Norton, will be released and I'm going to NYC for the book launch. At the end of the month, I'll be part of a two-person show called Atmospheric Intentions at Gallery Mar with my mentor Shawna Moore. The month will be the culmination of a long project and the expansion of my work as an artist. I'm excited to say the least. I've put a lot of hard work and a bit of my heart into both. And that's what it's all about, I guess - heart, soul and a lot of hard work.