Flora Zine

I have always been drawn to plants and flowers. I am sure there are a million reasons why, from my childhood love of climbing trees to read books among the branches, to my high school education at an agricultural school. 
While wandering through the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers (yet again) I began scheming a new small photo book/zine idea incorporating quotes and writing about plants, flowers, and growing with my photographs. The idea has a long way to go but here I'm doing a bit of exploring.  

I like it better here where I can just sit quietly and smell the flowers. -Ferdinand the Bull

Bloom where you're planted. -Mary Engelbreit

We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses. -Abraham Lincoln

Every flower must grow through dirt. -Laurie Jean Sennott

Normality is a paved road: it's comfortable to walk but no flowers grow on it. -Vincent Van Gogh

A weed is but an unloved flower. -Ella Wheeler Wilcox

There are always flowers for those who want to see them. -Henri Matisse

Flowers and plants are silent presences; they nourish every sense except the ear. -May Sarton

To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow. -Audrey Hepburn

Walking in the Woods

Lately I've been wanting to make artists' books instead of just blank books but, after so much technique practice, I'm finding myself rather stuck. The usual 'intimidating blank page' complex.

I'd like to make a book that makes the viewer reminisce about a hike or walk in the woods. To help get the creative juices flowing for this project, I went on my favorite hike in Mt. Tampalais-- the Steep Ravine to Dipsea to Old Mine trail loop. I think these photos just might be the start of something.  

A Walk Around the Lake

Today was one of those rare days when I didn't work and had absolutely no plans or obligations of any kind. So, I took a walk all the way around Lake Merritt in Oakland. Here are some of the images I took along the way.