Johannesburg-based visual artist and creative, Marinda Thomas, spent the first three months of her life covered in eczema and battled recurring outbreaks into her adulthood. Regular cortisone injections led her to experiment with natural alternatives and so began her journey into learning about Mother Nature’s apothecary and the healing power of Earth’s botanicals and minerals.
Sourcing 100% natural, ethically-produced products from overseas while in South Africa can be logistically challenging and prohibitively expensive – this led to Marinda consulting with a bio-chemist and developing products for her own use. Seeing their positive results (she hasn’t needed cortisone for the past 20 years) she expanded her range, and Essential Earth Remedies was born of her passionate research.
Essential Earth Remedies offers a full range of South African hand-crafted, restorative non-toxic skincare using only the purest ethically sourced ingredients and 100% natural carrier and essential oils.
If you had a theme song, what would it be?
‘Untamed’ by Marc Scibilia
What is the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
Stretching myself by starting Essential Earth Remedies whilst working fulltime as a Graphic Artist
If Mars was liveable, would you accept a one way ticket there?
No ways! I love our planet – warts and all
If you were given one thousand acres of land what would you do with it?
I would build a self-sustainable holistic healing centre
Are you more of a hunter or a gatherer?
Oh, I am a bit of a hoarder but I also love hunting for treasures
How many pairs of shoes do you own?
Beautiful shoes are one of my weaknesses however these days my collection of Birkenstocks is growing steadily
If we came to your house for dinner, what would you prepare for us?
Comfort food for sure!
How would people communicate in a perfect world?
Face-to-face and fully present, open-minded and able to say and hear difficult things.
When you have 30 minutes of free time – how do you pass it?
I would probably quickly crochet a colourful flower
Where do you go and what do you do to find peace and recharge?
Though I enjoy the ocean and the countryside, my heart belongs to the City – visiting an Art Gallery is still one of my all-time favourites.
If you could know the absolute answer to one question, what question would you ask?
Is the universe finite or infinite?
If you could write one new law that everybody had to obey, what would it be?
Treating all humans with dignity
What, if anything, have you ever re-gifted?
I have been tempted to regift but I am terrified of being found out by the person who gave me the gift in the first place
What is the most interesting thing you have seen or read this week?
Colour-blind people have better night vision
What skill or craft would you like to master?
I studied Visual Arts and am always looking to learn new mediums – at the moment I am learning encaustic painting which is extremely exciting
If you could dedicate your life to solving one problem, what would it be?
In my opinion, the biggest challenge currently is severe economic inequality. I would love to be in a position where I could be a part of the solution.
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