Monique Dupre, who runs Sustainable Living on a Budget in Vancouver, recently returned from a vacation in Tulum, Mexico, with her husband, Anthony, and daughters Cèlia and Solenne.
As someone who has made a living promoting eco-consciousness, Dupre, 31, selected Tulum for its sustainable practices.
“The city has said, ‘No big resorts, no high-rises or power lines,’” she said.
The natural beauty was staggering, but Dupre was also struck by the culture of the residents there.
“They don’t have a sense of urgency and rush to accomplish and get things done,” she said. “These people are not poor and unhappy. They are content. They have just enough.”
It was profound for her to observe. In her series of workshops, Dupre encourages students to find that state of “enough” as a way of curbing consumerism and living lighter on the planet.
Local photographer joins WSU art exhibit
Battle Ground’s Missy Bachmeier graduated from Washington State University in 2004 and credits the school with inspiring her to pursue photography as a career.
So when Bachmeier was invited to submit a piece for WSU Vancouver’s current alumni art exhibit, she was elated.
“WSU was what pretty much started my career,” she said. “To kind of give back to them and participate in this art show really means a lot to me.”
Bachmeier took photography classes, worked for the campus newspaper and took photos for the yearbook while attending the Pullman campus. She graduated in 2004.
Bachmeier and seven other WSU alumni artists will be available to discuss their work at an open house from 5:30 to 7 p.m. July 28. The open house, in the Engineering and Life Sciences building’s gallery, is free and open to the public.
The photograph Bachmeier submitted for the exhibit was of a mother and daughter. It was taken during a photo shoot for Bachmeier’s company, Take 5 Photography.
Bachmeier chose an image that people could relate to, she said. “What I like to do is show love on camera and capture those little moments between family members or couples that show that emotion between those people.”
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