eventually, everything connects...

Scottsdale Green Market

2009-01-28T08:31:00.000-08:00

Scottsdale Arizona has recently introduced a "Green Farmers Market" to the community. Held every Sunday through April 2009 - 11am - 3pm. Look for the green and white tents along Craftsman Court between 5th Ave and 3rd Ave just west of Scottsdale Rd.

The goal of this market is to foster environmentally responsible practices that support local growers and creative sustainable services and products.

This picture shows portable raised garden beds made of Redwood. Easy to assemble, they require no glue or nails. The elegant construction consists of Aluminum poles and notched corner details. In the foreground is a 3' x 3' bed, 14'' deep, planted with edible flowers and vegetables. You can visit Gordon Leishman and learn the many applications of this design when you come to the market.

A popular community market table carries Heirloom and Organic seeds, Biodegradable Bamboo pots planted with Herbs and Flowers, Loofah Sponges, locally grown Lemons & Oranges, Fish Oil Fertilizer and the best Compost ever created!

Natural Awakenings Magazine Sept. 08

2008-09-03T16:15:00.000-07:00

In the current issue (September 2008) of Natural Awakenings magazine they feature the public art project that I am working on in south Scottsdale with the Yaqui Indian & Vista Del Camino Communities. "Making Art, Honoring Roots and Bringing Together Community", pg. 22.

Pictured above, a few shots of work in progress, applying integrated colored plaster, the kids assisting me in keeping the fresh mudd walls hosed and the first mosaic installation in the alleyway.

Natural Awakenings magazine is a free publication targeting green living, and products & services that support a healthy lifestyle. They recently launched a monthly newsletter and digital version of the magazine viewable online.

Artist Owned T-shirt Company

2008-08-27T15:18:00.000-07:00

When shopping for unique and thoughtful clothing for yourself or a gift, check out my artist & friend Lee Tracy's recent designs for Tee shirts. Carefully selected organic cotton, makes these T's extremely soft and elegant. Lee is using her talent to contribute sustainably to the entire process of design through fabrication as you will learn when you visit her website. A percentage of her sales go to hand selected non-profits.

Thompson Peak Parkway, "Earth Wall, Living Wall"

2008-08-21T13:19:00.000-07:00

Public art in Scottsdale and surrounding communities is thriving. It's been an honor to be part of this process. I designed and completed "Earth Wall, Living Wall" 1997-1999. If you visit the site today, you will experience the Earth Wall's integrated into a more mature landscape with developments completed all around. It is a major thoroughfare to the McDowell Mountain Ranch community that was just underway in the mid 90's. If you drive into the town house community to the south just off 100th street (it's not gated) you can drive around and view the side that this community enjoys. You will be greeted by an 8' diameter Mandala inspired by the sacred geometry of the Nautilus Shell. The desert landscape was a significant element in the project design as well. Rammed Earth is an appropriate building technique for the desert environment particularly since I was looking for ways to incorporate material already existing on the site.

healthy organic cleaning products

2008-08-05T08:02:00.000-07:00

Check out www.herbnorganics.com for a complete line of household cleaning products.

It's a local, Tempe based company. I love the "Arctic Blast" and the "Peppermint Power Cleansing Powder". They are very consciencious about using recycled materials for packaging, and selling customers refills for their existing bottles. This saves on shipping costs and excess carbon footprint. You can usually find them at the Phoenix Farmers Market.

Environmentally Responsible Building class at SCC

2008-08-01T15:55:00.000-07:00

For a great evening class that will provide a rich overview of green building materials, uses and practices, check out....Link

The instructor is Anthony Floyd, Green Building Manager, Department of Environmental Initiatives, City of Scottsdale.

Scottsdale Community College Goes Green.

Green Building & Solar Links

2008-08-01T13:38:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share two informative links today...

First link will discuss green building and sustainability topics relating to home improvements, lecture series, and energy saving incentives in the valley.

Second link is your opportunity to sign up for the free list serve. Choose Green Building when you enter your e-mail. This will keep you up to date on events and activities such as "Green Drinks", and workshops at AKA Green store, as well as, special events and updates from the city of Scottsdale's Green Building program and new Department of Environmental Initiatives.

The Edible Landscape Project

2008-07-31T17:18:00.000-07:00

from this...

to this...

An ongoing site specific installation

ecoart + social change = sustainable communities.

for special event scheduling, contact joan@joanbaron.com

Full article in Phoenix Home & Garden......Here

Scottsdale Tribune Cover Story.....Here

Plenty Magazine article by Lisa Selin Davis on the Monte Vista Edible Garden.....Here

The Pledge

2008-07-31T14:11:00.000-07:00

Mixed media floor installation

A Warlike People: Victims or Perpetrators? .....Link Here

petal bowls

2008-07-31T11:58:00.000-07:00

as a studio artist living in the desert southwest, I find myself hiking and gathering a variety of organic materials from the environment to incorporate into my clay pieces and installations. In this particular series, "petal bowls", I placed single desert flower petals into the wet clay as part of the design process. during the firing, the petal burns away and leaves a memory mark. my exploration in this series looks at energetic transmission of plant material to bowl form to human hand. approximately 5 inches in diameter, high fired.