What constitutes an "Art-ternative Life?"

"Art-ternative" is a riff on Alternative.

By using this made-up word, the intent is to convey a committment to creating beauty in ways that are different and unexpected. Solutions to everyday problems will frequently be outside-the-box, and will be a combination of creativity, innovation, and an aversion to simply throwing money at the problem.

Traditional solutions to the needs of a home - water, shelter, food sources, utilities - will usually be rejected in favor of solutions that are more environmentally conscious, more esthetic, less expensive and more cool.

While others may have pre-packaged their solutions to these problems in their attempts to make their incomes, these may or may not be the best fit for a different situation. Re-inventing the wheel in these instances is not necessarily a bad thing.

Re-inventing income sources to allow for a more creative lifestyle is definitely part of the plans. Diversified income streams allow for unexpected disasters, changing circumstances, and the intent to follow individual passions.

The Basics

The location for Art-ernative Life Farm is a small family property in north Texas. One of the key things to remember in all the following discussions is the fact that this rural county has very few building and zoning restrictions. Keep in mind that many of the solutions that fit in this specific locale may not be possible or legal elsewhere!

The property is approximately three-quarters of an acre in size, triangularly shaped with rural roads around it. The ground is composed of limestone gravel and sand with very little topsoil. There are a few oak and red cedar trees scattered on the property, with a couple that are standing dead that will need to be cut down.

Local information states that there is a very good quality aquifer accessible only about twenty feet down. This will figure in future plans.

State regulations require a problematic permitting process for septic systems on small properties. It turns out that composting systems are not only permitted, but encouraged!

There are two different county water companies, but getting a water meter put in is ridiculously expensive. Over $2,500 for the meter, and approximately $1,000 for installation. Add to this a monthly bill, and this becomes even more unattractive.

There is a county co-op for electric supply, with rates that are reasonable. We are in the initial process of getting hooked up to supplied electric, but are also planning on developing solar and wind generation back ups.

The electric co-op does not have provision for buy-backs of home generated electricity, so our system will be stand-alone to pick up some of our electric needs. This will be developed in stages as funds allow, with the aim of eventually deleting the grid tie.

Plans and Decisions

The house was moved to the property in late March, 2019. This was NOT a simple process!
The first try to move the house ran into a problem with the ground being far too soggy to get the house jacked up and onto the wheels. After about a week, tires were mounted onto the wheels, and the house was pulled out and to the family property.



Getting the house located on the property was a major disaster. When the truck pulled onto the property, it went downhill too far. When the truck driver tried to back the house up into place, the trailer tounge folded and collapsed.



The trailer was nose down in the ditch for a few days. Walking inside the house was awkward due to the severe tilt.

The house mover came back with a skid loader and pulled the house out of the ditch and around to where it needed to be located.



It was then nearly a week before he came back out and leveled the trailer.

During this part of the process, the window on that end of the trailer was broken. Somewhere during all this, the trailer was tweaked, paint cracked, and door frames were warped.

Once the house was finally leveled, one end of the house is nearly six feet off the ground, and the other only about two feet. Storage spaces are being developed under the house.

With the easily accessible aquifer, a hand dug well may figure into future plans. For now, however, hauling water will be the first solution while a rain water catchment system is developed. There are sources locally for IBC totes and 50 gallon poly drums, and the YouTube videos on the subject are numerous and detailed.

One aspect of this kind of off-grid water handling is the option to do a radiant heated floor instead of the ludicrously inefficient central heat and air currently in use.

The heating source currently planned is a simple wood stove referred to as a Rocket Stove. A copper pipe wrapped around the wood stove chimney can heat a large amount of water fairly quickly. Moving the water through the system can be easily accomplished with a 12 volt water pump

If the water barrels for the radiant heating are buried under the house, geothermal cooling in the summer is a simple matter. The same 12 volt water pump can circulate the cold water through the radiant floor pipes.

A second wood burning rocket stove will be tasked with the heating of household water.

Most cooking will be using a propane grill or over a campfire until an outdoor kitchen can be developed. Plans include a pizza / bread oven, smoker, large wood-fired brick cooker with openings for canning pots, and a dehydrator built into the side.

Sun-Mar is probably the best known composting toilet manufacturer out there. This is probably the one time that simply paying the money is the best option. A composting system like Sun-Mar's costs 75% less than a standard septic system.

Solar and wind power is a likely option. Many YouTube videos on DIY solar systems are out there. There are eBay and Amazon sellers with great prices on solar panels, and Northern Tool has a number of options for charge controllers and inverters.


House Upgrades

The mobile home was built in 1985, and has not had any proper repairs done - EVER!

The plumbing is a psychotic mess, with multiple patches and continuing leaks. This will need to be completely re-done with new pipe.

There are multiple spots where leaking pipes have destroyed the sub-floor, and this will all need to be properly patched and supported.

Some new fixtures will be added in this process. The awkward, somewhat dangerous "garden tub" will likely be replaced with a jetted soaking tub. The plan is to filter and re-use the water like an outdoor Jacuzzi.

The half bath will be enlarged and remodeled and a shower will be added.

The particle board vanities will be replaced with home made solid wood pieces of art, and sinks appropriate to the upgrade will be installed.

The sad linoleum tile floors will be removed, and waterproof vinyl plank flooring installed. The choice of flooring has been made. A greyish pickled wood look for the master bath, kitchen and utility room, and a maple look for the half bath. Both choices look and feel like wood plank without the possible water damage drawbacks.

The only good thing about the existing waste handling is that it already separates the grey water from black waste. Grey water will be handled with filtration beds with non-food plants. This will include fiber plants such as cotton, flax for linen, dye plants, and several types of gourds. County regulations allow for grey water to be handled on the property, as long as it does not run off the property or into the drainage ditches around the property. This is not the case everywhere!

It is apparent that there is very little if any insulation. Monthly electric bills in the former locale were up to $300. While a great deal of this issue is the ridiculously inefficient central heat and air, if the temperature differential cannot be maintained, the money spent on environmental control is mostly wasted!

The ancient siding will be removed, along with what little degraded insulation remains. This will also gain access to the old wiring and any needed upgrades and repairs will be handled. The walls will be studded out to allow much more insulation to be installed, any holes will be repaired, and new siding will be installed.

The rusted metal roof will be replaced and will be set up for rainwater catchment. The size and configuration of the water storage tanks will depend on funds and materials availability. The videos on YouTube engender loads of ideas that may work well. This is another area that may or may not be legal in other counties or states.

Plans exist for bump-out additions to the master bedroom for an art studio, and to the kitchen area for a dining room. The existing dining room area will be re-vamped into a pantry with layers of rolling shelves for dense storage of food. A nearly-full-perimeter deck will surround the house with a greenhouse on the west side of the house, and a screened in area on the east side accessible for the feline horde to enjoy.

Food Sources

The plans for primary proteins include meat rabbits, ducks for meat and eggs, and fishing from the nearby creeks, Lake Texoma, and the Red River.



"Speckles" has been a good mother, and the bunnies are healthy and growing quickly. At three weeks old, they are too stinkin' cute!



Ducks will be purchased soon, and fishing will be added as soon as gear is replaced.

A large garden is planned for vegetables, and fruits will be planted as soon as funds allow.