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Of Roses and Lilies

Johannes Brahms lullaby (Wiegenlied) in the original German version speaks of roses and carnations covering the baby’s crib. For some reason the…

• Classical Music
• June 19, 2016
• 2 Comments

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Urban Green Spaces

There are historic gardens, botanical gardens, productive gardens, gardens of the rich and famous, sculpture gardens, contemporary gardens – and then there…

• Garden Design
• June 18, 2016
• 2 Comments

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Linnaeus’ Desire

Tulips Galore

A few years back I worked on a montage series called Linnaeus’ Desire. You can see some samples on my other website…

• Biology, Economics
• June 17, 2016
• 1 Comments

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Parks and Poppies

How politics shape our environments

Don’t you love it when a book review leaves no doubt about what to read? For example, Andrea Wulf writes, “Here is…

• Nature, Politics
• June 16, 2016
• 4 Comments

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Ballet in Bloom

Ballets have long been associated with flowery music, movements, pink tutus and impersonations of flowers. I picked three today, for our viewing pleasure;…

• Ballet
• June 15, 2016
• 2 Comments

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Chasing (away) the Blues

Master Gardeners

I have known a few passionate gardeners both here and in Europe, but only two of them really closely. My observations, then,…

• Nature
• June 14, 2016
• 3 Comments

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Of Plants and Gardens

Buds start the Season

This week I will contemplate flowers and gardens. Given how the world around us has burst into bloom it seems a good…

• Nature
• June 13, 2016
• 0 Comments

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The Psychology of Color

Rothko's Color Fields

Some years back I was invited by the Portland Art Museum to give a talk on the psychology of seeing in the…

• Art, Psychology
• June 12, 2016
• 4 Comments

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Abstract Art and the Brain

“Abstract art does not stimulate the same brain regions as figurative art. Therefore it is not art.” That kind of statement by…

• Art, Psychology
• June 11, 2016
• 8 Comments

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Feather Weight or Heavy Hitter?

The History of an Art Work Counts

Yesterday I wondered why the very fact that a child might paint like an adult (assuming that really is the case) might…

• Art, Psychology
• June 10, 2016
• 2 Comments