Author Archives: Ellen Riingen

Drawing Autism: Inside the Minds of Artists on the Spectrum

ShareArt has always been a way to communicate thoughts, feelings, and sensibilities when simple words just wouldn’t do.  And for those with disabilities, art can even be life-changing when they can tell their stories in new ways. Extending the act of … Continue reading

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Slowing Down To Nature

ShareMany people don’t realize how much artist, architects, and other designers pull from nature to inspire their work. Some take a more conceptual approach while others may take a very literal interpretation of the form.  It has become a bit … Continue reading

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Doggie Wellness – Green with Envy Dog Houses

ShareWith summer fast approaching and record heats on the rise, keeping our pets cool and comfortable will be even more crucial for their health and well-being. Designing a dog house with a green roof may just be the ticket to … Continue reading

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Unfold the Magic of Healing Through Origami

Share One of my heart-felt inspirations for connecting art, architecture, and wellness has stemmed from appreciating the art of Origami. Seemingly simplistic in nature, it offers a multitude of complex learning layers that stretch both mind, body, and spirit in … Continue reading

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An Artful Garden is Nothing to Sneeze At

Share My favorite art form will always be the purity of nature. Whether it’s viewing a majestic horizon or looking at a fresh fallen leaf through a magnifying glass, nature is the best teacher.  Surrounding yourself with plants help provide … Continue reading

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Creative Exercising-Stair Art

ShareThe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends adults get 2 hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes) of moderate activity every week. How we choose to fit this into our already busy schedules is all up to us. Using the … Continue reading

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Art Makes You Smart

ShareArt not only makes you healthier, it makes you smarter. Take a stroll with a beginner’s mind through your local museum to gain a spark of something new and to stretch and challenge your current perspectives. New York Times: Art Makes … Continue reading

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Free Trees for Home Comfort and Wellness

SharePlacing the right trees in the correct locations on your property can really make a difference is saving you money and creating a home of comfort and wellness. Evergreen trees can provide a sound buffer, security, and wind protection all … Continue reading

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Live Longer By Better Sound Design

ShareWe live in a world where people focus on the visual and tactile qualities of a design more than sound. What more and more research is showing is how important sound control is for the quality of learning, productivity, and … Continue reading

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Arts and The Mind

ShareArt, in all forms, is a magical elixir. Alzheimer’s researchers call it a powerful tool to ward off dementia. Troubled teens use it to find meaning in the world around them—and in themselves often transporting them from painful realities to … Continue reading

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