For almost thirty years, Theo Jansen has been nurturing the evolution of Strandbeests, kinetic “beasts” that walk majestically on their own. Poet Ted Hughes put his finger on what it is we are doing when we, like Jansen, put new “forms of life” into the world.
Read MoreSummer in a Jar: Flower and Herb Teas and Seasonings
There are some kitchen processes I do so automatically that I hardly think about them, until I become suddenly conscious that it is a principle I am using, and not a recipe. For years I’ve used a simple method to transform summer herbs and flowers into teas and seasonings for use all year round.
Read MoreLongevity + Life Advice from an 105-Year-Old MD
Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara, an expert on longevity, died recently at age 105. He imposed few inviolable health rules, though he did recommend some essential guidelines.
Read MoreGood DIY Ideas for Your Inner Gardenista
We were happy to find a lot of do-able, you-don’t-have-to-have-a-million-dollar-estate projects in Gardenista: The Definitive Guide to Stylish Outdoor Spaces. We used our x-ray vision to cool ideas applicable to all sorts of venues.
Read MoreThe Greatest Gift We Can Give or Receive (Gogo, Virginia Satir)
Two-and-three-quarters-years-old Gogo’s wise words echo an essential principle of ground-breaking psychotherapist Virginia Satir…one we could all put to good use.
Read MoreReminder: Where Good Ideas Can Come From
Where Do Ideas Come From? is a video that features vastly different answers to the question from some seriously creative people, from David Lynch, Susan Orlean and Chuck Close to a couple of kids.
Read MoreImprovised Kitchen: Summer Fruit with Feta, Olive Oil and Maybe an Herb
The Blueberries, Feta and Mint recipe I love from Mindy Fox’s Salads: Beyond the Bowl is a play on a classic pairing of watermelon with feta. The possibilities for improvising on it are endless when you’re shopping summer markets. Here are some ideas.
Read MoreSummer Refresh: Teeny Videos and Poem Like a Splash of Water
Two teeny videos and a poem, for those in need of refreshment, a shift of view or just plain RELIEF from whatever is going on.
Read MoreAnnals of Bad Design? Cat’s Pajama Lounge Chair UPDATE
Ann Richardson emailed us her selection for inclusion in our ever-growing Annals of Bad Design: Blu Dot’s $499 Cat’s Pajama Chair. Her thoughtful commentary that made us laugh, as good dishing of bad design does. (This $39 Ikea chair blows it out of the water).
Read MoreLaura Handler’s Computer Printed Headboard
In Houzz’s extensive article about our friend Laura Handler’s Harlem renovation, our favorite idea among MANY is Laura’s solution to the problem of “headboard”.
Read MoreHow to Live Wisely With Your Phone
School of Life’s How to Live More Wisely with Our Phones is a remarkable essay about how we can gently balance our relationship to our smart phones. Here are the most useful and view-shifting hunks.
Read MoreHow to Become a Master: Arnold Drake World
Artist Arnold Drake World transforms paper napkins and towels into botanically correct flowers. It’s an art he’s mastered through thousands of iterations, study of materials, and a strong sense of mission. In this lovely short video, he tells his formula for success.
Read MoreBill Murray’s Tweet Can Take You Far
Although I can’t verify that this wonderful tweet came from the REAL Bill Murray’s twitter feed, I don’t care. I’ve been mulling the idea for days, surprised where it took me…
Read MoreHow a Toilet Paper Holder Turns into Sculpture
In the bathroom of the Van de Weghe gallery, where we saw Devir, Enrique Oliveira’s massive tree sculpture, we were struck by the strange, very sculptural toilet paper holder with its bold statement of HERE I AM. Then we looked more closely…
Read MoreEnrique Oliviera’s Astonishing ‘Devir’
We were blown away by Enrique Oliveira’s massive tree sculpture that seems to grow in all directions out of and through the walls, floor and ceiling of the gallery: ordinary materials turned into something palpably alive.
Read MoreCreate Your Own Crazy Vision (Marc Johns, Emily Dickinson, et al)
The great Marc Johns’ sign NAILS Improvised Life’s essential message and practice. We learn by example…(and poetry).
Read MoreSplotches, Spots and Spatters for Art and Personal Decoration
I’ve long collected examples of artist’s works based on splotches, spots, drips and splatters, with the idea of applying the patterns to walls, floors, fridge, clothes, shoes. Here’s how.
Read MoreWhy Not Now? (Vivian Stancil’s Leap)
This 2-minute video tells the story of one of the most inspiring leaps we’ve seen of late. Complete with the perfect mantra for change.
Read MoreImprovised Life’s Very Quiet Birthday Celebration
July 4th was Improvised Life’s birthday, the day, eight years ago I pressed PUBLISH and took the site live in what seemed like a giant leap. How the 4,000 articles in its archive has come remains something of a mystery…
Read MoreArtful Fireworks and a Poem for the 4th of July
On July 4, 2010, poet Mary Oliver found a whale bone on the beach and wrote a poem about it. She forged just the right poem for this summer day, as always giving it a bigger view…(as do these fireworks envisioned by artists.)
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