This book is the inspirational story of one project that shows you how you can become involved in building and running your neighbourhood. The author; co-founder of Lilac (Low Impact Living Affordable Community); along with other members of the community and the project team; explains how a group of people got together to build one of the most pioneering ecological; affordable cohousing neighbourhoods in the world. The book is a story of perseverance; vision and passion; demonstrating how ordinary people can build their own affordable; ecological community. The book starts with the clear values that motivated and guided the projectrsquo;s members: sustainability; co-operativism; equality; social justice and self-management. It outlines how they were driven by challenges and concerns over the need to respond to climate change and energy scarcity; the limits of the lsquo;business as usualrsquo; model of pro-growth economics; and the need to develop resources so that communities can determine and manage their own land and resources. The authorrsquo;s story is interspersed with vignettes on topics such as decision making; landscaping; finance and design. The book summarises academic debates on the key issues that informed the project; and gives technical data on energy and land issues as well as practical lsquo;how-torsquo; guides on a range of issues such as designing meetings; budget planning and community agreements. Low Impact Living provides clear and easy to follow advice for community groups; practitioners; government; business and the development sector and is heavily illustrated with drawings and photographs from the architectural team.
2014-08-16 2014-08-16File Name: B00MTUKR5W
Review
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful. Your Artists Brain...and mine too!By CJSI loved this book because it made me "think outside the box" so to speak.Made me look at how I come up with what I am going to paint. Its easy tothink that our paintings are due to what we see...well; when you start tolook at a scene that you are going to paint as dark/light/grey areas yousee it TOTALLY differently; it will change how you think...it will as theauthor said; make your analytic brain step aside and let your artistsbrain take hold in a new way. I really enjoyed this read and how theauthor not only wrote it so anyone could understand it; he also put insketches/drawings and paintings showing the point of interest and how todrive people to look at it and not have the painting be too distracting.I actually put this to a small drawing test; and did an exercise he suggested(pick something in a photo to paint; turn it upside down; then sketch it) itmakes you SEE the dark; light; grey tones and NOT the flowers or pieces offruit; etc. Try it! It is really an interesting exercise. Lots of artbooks out there; I think this is a good addition to any art library.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Artists BrainBy NormanI am an amateur artist who enjoys; as a volunteer; helping others to find their own "artists brain." I purchased this book several months ago; as I had heard from a professional artist how influential this book was for him. I have read Your Artists Brain twice; will be studying it again and again. It is a "go to" reference book. The author begins with the basics; then soon delves into a real study of drawing skills; compositional skills; and even watercolor techniques; all written in an understandable and often witty style. He shows you; best of all; how to free yourself from slavery to reference photos to make your drawings and paintings so much better. If you have already studied drawing; you will find lots to inspire you to get better and better. If you are an absolute beginner; it might be a lot to grasp at first; but it is written so clearly with lots of illustrations; you will learn fast and well. I purchased it as a Kindle book to read on my iPad mini to easily take it with me to doctors waiting rooms; etc. Wish I had purchased the real book; though; to better study the illustrations.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good information; well presented; definitely worth the investmentBy Paul GlobusMr. Purcell is an excellent artist and does a good job of explaining what often goes wrong when people try to draw or paint using the (mostly dominant) verbal / logical side of the brain. You think youre seeing whats directly in front of you when youre actually seeing a compromised version of the subject. Armed with the knowledge of how to train yourself to see shapes and forms; drawing and painting become easier and more fun. I recommend this book as one of the better ones for the aspiring artist. Also; Mr. Purcells work as showcased in the book is superb.
