KaytiBunny and J
Founding Inspiratrix Duo of Permaculture Pinup.
Questions by Ken Jordan, electronic music and eco-village pioneer.
What is the goal of Permaculture Pinup?
Janine: It’s a not so secret plan to bring balance back to the planet beautifully.
KaytiBunny: So the goal is to inform and inspire in a fun and flirty way. Draw eyes away from fear, instead bringing attention to the abundance and promise of a beautiful and harmonious relationship we have with the Earth. It’s an educational platform meant to be entertaining. And sex sells, so why not sell a brighter future?
What inspired you to create Permaculture Pinup?
Janine: I, like KaytiBunny, have been a dancer all my life and quite a big fan of burlesque and pinup. I’ve been drawn by and published in books by Lorenzo Sperlonga, photographed and published by JIMON, and had a feature in a Czech Playboy in 2006. Running a nonprofit, I often find myself involved in activities that seem to warrant a certain amount of seriousness, but at my core I feel like I embody the raver’s spirit - playful, silly, creative. After moving down to Costa Rica to be one of the pioneering families of the Rancho Delicioso eco-community, I found myself much more immersed in Nature on a daily basis. I was staring at a palm tree one day and it became obvious to me that global cultures have been inspired by Nature throughout time for design and fashion. Specifically, the palm fronds showed me they could be used possibly as burlesque fans or at least staged that way and the idea started there. A couple of years ago, I made a super short video on an Instagram account to seed the idea for my future-self. When KaytiBunny joined our community I could not wait to share the idea with this incredible soul-sister. If anyone would be game to start this concept with me...
KaytiBunny: It would be me!! I have been traveling the world performing for 10 years, dancing and burlesque are a part of my job and I have always drawn inspiration from the quintessential pinup playfulness. As the world is shifting, so have my priorities. I have found myself more drawn to working with plants, herbal medicines and natural remedies. My path has me communing with Nature and she has been calling me commit to a more sustainable lifestyle. I recently got property in our community Rancho Delicioso, and am floored daily by the endless knowledge I learn from listening to the land. For me, Permaculture Pinup blends my two worlds… and our project gives a new perspective to view Nature as the beauty we can see in ourselves… a reflection of real feminine and divine power. I love the curves, the flow, the color, thriving, and healthy - it’s all a mirror if we want it to be or we choose to see it that way. Janine and I do, and we hope to help people see that reflection, too.
Janine: We have limited time and energy in this world. Personally, I want to spend my time creating content that feels good and inspires me. Otherwise, I can just repost other people’s work on how to make medicine from herbs, start a garden, or create an eco-policy.
KaytiBunny: There also seemed to be a gap, and we’re filling it! For instance, we noticed that there is not a lot of good options for Creative Commons material for the terms pinup or burlesque. We’ll be changing that quickly. If you look up “permaculture pinup” we are already first on Google search, and second, and third (laughs).
How do you want people to engage with Permaculture Pinup?
KaytiBunny: Have fun! We want people to see it as an opportunity to express themselves in a sexy, flirty and empowered way. Taking time to educate themselves about how we can work and learn from Nature.
Janine: We’d like to encourage some healthy voyeurism. You don’t necessarily need to be a photographer or model. Just checking out this creative educational campaign and supporting us by sharing or leaving comments can be important engagement.
KaytiBunny: Voyeuristic education - yummm! Yes, we want people to be curious and dive deeper into the website to learn information and bring it to their communities.
Janine: Donating money to this nonprofit campaign can also be helpful so we can continue to bring forth great content. Mostly we look forward to seeing people get creative and stretch their boundaries …
KaytiBunny: ...maybe they use it as a platform to share their own transformation story! We can learn so much from each other. We definitely want to hear about the journeys of our fellow permaculture superheroes.
Can other people submit photos for Permaculture Pinup?
Janine: Please!
KaytiBunny: Everyone is encouraged to submit. All sizes, all genders, all colors… this is an all-inclusive community! Please keep it it classy and rated PG. To send your photo, click the button “submit yourself and join” on our cutsie, informative little website, for more information on sending or sharing content.
Janine: We will review the hashtag weekly to repost images we wish to feature on social media platforms. We are excited to discover those that create super content and will be reaching out to them potentially for special interviews that will be featured in the showcase section on the Permaculture Pinup website.
KaytiBunny: We want to collaborate! People can use the hashtag #permaculturepinup on Facebook or Instagram. They can even add this hashtag to old photos they think would work, so take a look at your own journey so far! And be inspired to try out some new content, too.
Will there be a Permaculture Pinup calendar?
Janine and KaytiBunny: How'd you know?
KaytiBunny: Definitely in the plans! Get excited and stay tuned!
This interview has been brought to you by Permaculture Pinup, a project of Green Wave (501(c)(3) nonprofit). If you liked this interview, love what we are doing, and would like to see us continue please consider supporting the Green Wave sponsored project, Pinuya Nursery. Over the ages, womyn have been likened to trees. The Pinuya Nursery is nursery to foster trees that will go to creating a food forest that will provide food for an entire village and reforest the land.
Thank you for helping us heal the Earth!