Art Junkies Supporting Artists
In todays World it isn’t only the artists who are struggling. But if you are an art aficionado, how does an art gallery filled with 255,000 works available at your fingertips sound? Artist Rising is the artist’s version of Etsy. It is open to anyone wishing to sell their artwork and offers an interesting set-up.
As the Buyer:
- Choose what subject you are looking for in your piece of artwork OR
- Choose the medium (photography, watercolor, mixed media…) OR
- Choose the style (art deco, impressionism, symbolism…)
- You choose whether you want the original or a reproduction
- If you choose a reproduction, you can choose the size
- It ships directly to you (so don’t worry about transporting valuable canvases across town
- You can also learn about the artist, how they got started and contact them directly if you find someone you love and see what gallery’s are showcasing their work.
As the Artist:
- Sign up for Artist Rising (accounts are f-r-e-e)
- Create your gallery, biography, and utilize the other free tools
- Upload a picture of your work
- Decide on the price range, what sizes are appropriate and other parameters
- Utilize their free marketing tools and communications platforms to learn and expand your art!
What is incredible about this tool is the ability to find big or small artists, discover art that you really love…not just what’s on sale to cover up those walls, and you can support true artists. Artists need to starve no more with these easy tool! What is also a relief as that the company takes care of the printing. So if you are offering poster prints, they do all of that for the artist. Since this can be quite expensive and a risky investment, especially during tepid economic times, this is an excellent option for artists, and artists that are just coming out of their shell, to share what they creative eyes see in the World.
So check it out! Find local artists or even become one.
Midwest Oil Spill?
Apparently the Coastal areas aren’t the only places oil is running rampant these days. An unlikely spot, Michigan, is experiencing around a 1 million gallon oil spill from a leaking pipeline. Coming in as the largest oil spill in the history of the Midwest, but small compared to the looming Gulf Disaster that comes in around 92 million gallons to date.
Oil Spill 101: Coastal vs. Inland
Unfortunately, this highlights a larger issue. Inland oil spills are often a misunderstood and unaddressed issue. According to the U.S. EPA, coastal water spills are attributed mainly to vessels and offshore drilling, making up 76% of all spills. Coastal spills are mainly crude and fuel oil with a few other minor players. For inland spills 78% is due to Vessels and Fixed Facilities and the vast majority are of fuel oil with the other major players being crude oil and hydraulic, transformer, and lubricating oil.
With our growing awareness about the flaws in the US regulatory’s system, the oil industry’s system, and the oil equipment industry’s system it’s important to also understand these issues for inland spills as well. The Trans Atlantic Pipeline that runs from Alaska typically has several gushing holes in it at one time. They are most often attributed to hunter’s stray gunshots. With so much wilderness, these take time to detect and patch. Since pipelines do not have the same maintenance and surveillance rules as oil rigs and wells, they often go under the radar until a large disaster, like the spill in Michigan occurs.
For those living away from the oil rigs or wells…a spill could just as well happen where you live as well via pipelines and other inland threats. So be aware, be careful when hunting, and why not try to kick some of our oil addiction while we’re at it. Less oil consumed means less oil to spill, right?
Photo Credit: Good Morning Florida Keys
1 out 3 US Counties…Is Yours One Of Them?
A report conducted by the Natural Resources Defense Council found that 1 out of every 3 Counties in the United States are at high risk of water shortages due to…climate change.
Most At Risk States:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Idaho
- Kansas
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma
- Texas
Using data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the analysis looked at water supply, accessibility, and demand. This is 14 times the last water shortage estimates conducted. Whoa!
You can look at the County and State-Specific maps from the report:
Learn more about water saving tips via these Pays to Live Green Quick Tips:
- Shower Water & Energy Use Calculator
- Delta Water Amplifying Showerhead
- Short Showers – Do the Math!
- 10 Ways to Use Less Water Everyday
Photo Credit: Get Milked.
The Value-Added Graduate School: Proceed with Caution
MBAs are starting to become a dime a dozen in the United States. And with the job market’s continual downfall, how can you be sure that investing in graduate education will provide you with an stepping stone into outstanding workplaces? Let’s take a look at what is happening, rankings that can help you find the right match, and why ‘the creatives’ are the rise.
Graduate School Isn’t For Everyone
Now this first question is critical before considering going back to school. Do you really want to go? First, do you have the drive and determination to do homework again (if you take your work home with you…this may not be so different). Second, do you have adequate experience in the field to bring a working perspective to the classroom and your learning? Now this is something that is underrated in many graduate programs, but knowing your field, the players, and how it presently works can help you get a lot more out of school than if you are fresh out of…well, school. Lastly, will having your graduate degree position you to get jobs that you really want? Masters are typically for people who still want to work with other people, but require a specialized knowledge in a particular field. PhDs will typically place you in more Siloed environments that depend largely on knowledge and academics (not in all cases of course). Now some graduate degrees will overqualify you for positions, others will prepare you for them, so knowing the level, not necessarily the position, that you want to work at and grow from can help you decide.
Now those words of caution out of the way, graduate school can be a phenomenal learning adventure for people of all ages, and help propel you into your career and life goals.
Graduate School Rankings for MBAs, The Social Way
So who is really doing what? How do I pick a good school? What if I want the University’s values system to match my own? Well, if you are looking into MBAs then check out the Aspen Institutes Rankings titled “Beyond Grey Pinstripes“. They rank schools by relevant courses, student exposure, for-profit impact, and faculty research. So you can get a glimpse into the more “social responsibility” aspects of the schools and know what they are noted for with a few clicks of a button (and lots of search features). This is one of the few social rankings developed for graduate schools, so MBA perspectives should definitely give this the once over. There are other rankings available for other disciplines through various bodies, but this was the only site that focused on lifelong learning to prepare students for their whole career.
MBAs are Good, MFAs are Good, and M.#$@s are Good Too
In Daniel Pink’s Book, A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, he stated that MBAs were a thing of the past and MFAs and other Masters Degrees are just as valuable at today’s top organizations. So don’t feel like an MBA is your only option if you are more creatively inclined. This book speaks about the transitions that our society has undergone over the course of civilization. Our latest phase ruled by the Knowledge Worker (think IT development and the like) is now being shipped overseas and can be replicated by computers and the life, so it is pushing us into a new phase ruled by the Conceptual Worker. These workers are more artistic, intuitive, and creative with skills that cannot be exported or replicated. So follow your instincts, not the market if you are considering going back to school.
There are also a great deal of certificate programs, executive education programs, and other untraditional graduate-level learning courses available that are worth looking into if the ‘piece of paper’ isn’t the main thing you are after.
Why all this talk about school?
Because today’s economic climate has resulted in a huge spike in returning students with no where else to turn. With such high rates of unemployment, many people are seeking the X Factor skills, the skills that will make them invaluable and in-disposable within an organization. Yet being sure that your skills, your passion, and your gut instinct are all aligned for this major decision is important, otherwise you could become just another MBA graduate who is overqualified for entry-level work, underqualified as a mid-career professional, and perfectly qualified for Knowledge Worker ‘work’ that has already been shipped overseas.
So proceed with caution, passion, and a whole lot of instinct. Best of luck to all currently in graduate school, those considering going, and those who have made it through! And remember that social values, environmental justice, and economic equity are not so far off for some ‘business’ schools out there, so take time to find just the right match to lead you toward your goals.
Get Ionizied for Cleaning
Meet the Ionator. With one spray, your average tap water becomes a charged cleaning agent ready to take on lotion, grease, and bacteria anywhere in your home or office.
Simply fill the bottom with tap water, click it into place and you are ready for some heavy duty cleaning! You shoot the water out like a spray gun, then rub down the surface with a microfiber cloth (preferably) and Viola! Clean as a whistle. So how does it work? When you shoot the spray it runs through an area that electrically charges the water. Next, it is “ionized” meaning it goes through an ion exchange membrane that results in positively and negatively charged nanobubbles. Then once the water squirts out, it lifts dirt up (a la ions…kind of) just like a positive and negative magnet. Then your towel enters the picture, wipes away the water that has attracted all the dirt to keep those surfaces looking and actually being clean. Now what about those icky germs? This ionized water kills 99.9% of harmful germs when applied correctly. How about that? No chemicals that are harsh on us and our environment, just plan old ionized water to the rescue.
Don’t Believe Me? Ask Bill Nye, The Science Guy.
Now the ins and outs of nanobubbles, ionization, and dirt and water being mangnetically attracted to one another may be a stretch for most of us. So let Bill Nye, The Science Guy, help de-mystify how it works. He made an excellent video that goes into perfect scientific detail (for grade school students…smart grade school students that is) on just how this contraption works. Its so cool, you may find yourself watching the whole video just to learn more!
What’ll it Cost Me?
Well, take two major things into account. First, this will replace almost all of your other household cleaners for about 5 years. Second, this is new technology so just like the first iPod, it will cost you a little bit more. One Ionator runs for under $200 in the U.S. with most retailers coming in around $170. Now think off the variety of toxic products you buy to clean your house. The ones that claim to “Kill 99.9% of All Bacteria”, now take out these toxic products and replace them with this single machine that can do all of their jobs without threatening your respiratory health. If you have kids or pets at home, this green product can help keep everyone safe, especially during fragile developmental stages.
All in all this is a really unique product. I have witnessed its cleaning magic and tested it to the max: note that it does not remove 20 year old adhesives or mysterious carpet stains; also note that the water tastes delicious, and was even able to clean up thick body lotion. A Minnesota-based eco-retail store, Moss Envy, uses this throughout their entire store to clean shelves, products, clean up messes left behind by the little ones, and remove grease from stainless steel. So get activated, get ionated, and find out what this product can do for you!
You Down With OCA?
Ever feel lost with the information-mania about organics, ethical consumption, and social issues? With so many ‘think tanks’, NGOs, NPOs, and businesses cashing in on the environmental revolution of the 21st Century, it can be hard to differentiate solid information from one-sided propaganda. One organization that can help you sift through the info-polluted soil is the Organic Consumers Association (OCA). It is a non-profit organization that campaigns for health, justice, and sustainability.
Number 1 reason to visit? Solid information.
The OCA was formed in 1998 amidst the organic standards debate that seemed to favor industrial organic-types and cut corners in the eyes of veteran organic farmers. From that day forward, the OCA has organized many campaigns, collected and conducted research in the field of sustainability that includes ecological and social issues, and successfully fought legislation and companies aiming to diminish or downgrade organic standards and in many cases the standard of living in the U.S., where it is based, as well as abroad.
So I welcome you to dig-in to their site on food issues especially to learn what the organic take is on growth hormones, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), raw milk, and to demystify the meaning of ‘biodynamic’.
Happy Reading!
U.S.: Epic Fail?
This past week marked a sad day on the calendar for the United States. For those individuals focuses on sustainable living and making a difference, kudos to you for pursueing this despite a lack of national leadership. The United States failed to pass Climate Legislation, the most favored was a cap-and-trade system, this year. After Copenhagen’s Climate Summit left emotions reeling, there are a few trends to note. First, the business portion of the Summit was bombarded with signatures and declarations. Second, there was a distinct difference in the way Kyoto signers and Non-Kyoto Signers approached the conversation. Lastly, there is now a lasting sentiment of disappointment and in some cases international disdain for the United States’ lack of nation-wide action onClimate Change on a Federal level.
Is the U.S. A Climate Villain?
Yes and No. The United States is responsible for 25% of thegreenhouse gas emissions on an annual basis. This past month marked the first time China has surpassed the U.S. in energy usage, of course they also have a population that would morph the U.S. so it doesn’t keep them off the hook. The most proactive forces in the U.S. on Climate Change outside of advocacy groups have been state and local governments who inividually passed the Kyoto protocol and created the Chicago Climate Exchange as well as Government Agencies who are working to address the issue with or without legislative action. For instance the weatherization of homes that is being undertaken is going to significantly reduce energy usage nationwide, and since building inefficiencies are the single largest contributor to the U.S.’s emissions, this is important.
The real villain’s in this case are the politicians themselves.
With little to no discussion about climate issues, and more uncivilized cattiness surrounding the “debate” or lack there of, the true leaders had quite a road ahead of them. The fact that a few bills were formed is impressive given the concerted effort to continue to deny climate change’s anthropogenic source and to be accountable and responsible for the piece of the pie the U.S. makes up. No piece of U.S. legislation is perfect. It is touched by so many hands, special interests, and ‘deals’ that are irrelevant to the real legislation that the water-downed and battered version of a bill is at times utterly disgusting. Politicians who are supposed to be Civil Servants seem to have completely evaded that responsibility to pursue personal interests and gains.
The unfortunate part about this is two-fold.
First, the United States has once again failed to be a leader in the Climate Change arena, despite being its biggest negative contributor. Second, the United States will not feel, understand, nor suffer the consequences of climate change to the same extent as third world nations who minimally contribute to anthropogenic sourced climate change.
What we do know is that each of us through our personal actions, our professional life, and our political decisions can help guide better and more ethical decision-making into the future. Hopefully the disagreement next legislative term won’t be “if” something should be done on a national-scale, but instead “how” and “how soon”. If those questions come from a more honest place of understanding what sustainable living truly means and what being part of a global society really requires, then there is all the hope in the World to be had.
If not, then we better each use our individual voices and decisions to help create that world and environment if those representing us haven’t the sense, ethics, nor respect for all life on Earth to do so.
Photo Credit: Chris Madden.
