Where Wildflowers Bloom

I have recently delved into the fascinating realm of Plant Blindness as context for my dissertation - a phenomenon suggesting that humans often overlook the profound significance of plants in their environment. This concept proposes that, amidst our focus on animals and other facets of the natural world, we may be neglecting the vital role that plants play in sustaining life. I am definitely a believer, even by witnessing the personal change in noticing, recognising and appreciating plants. But while grappling with this idea, I've found myself contemplating whether our detachment from the natural world, increasingly distracted by the man-made, contributes to this oversight, rather than a preference for other other natural elements more deserving of our attention. I'm in the process of compiling research and hope to have a supportive outcome! The concept of Plant Blindness has evolved through observational studies, educational assessments, and experimental studies that expose pa...

Colours play a vital role when it comes to design, especially within the landscape. Not only do they visually alter the outlook, but they also have the power to evoke emotions and set the mood of a place.  Cool calm colours such as blue and purple are often used in meditation gardens for their tendency to kindle peace and harmony - in contrast, warmer colours such as reds, pinks and oranges, evoke higher arousal emotions such as excitement, passion, love and happiness.  Staying within these two colour groups provides unity, yet those that contrast also provide unity - according to the colour theory and complimentary colour pairs and trios. Ahead of deciding a planting palette and other material considerations for North Place, I have been exploring Complementary, Analogous and Triadic colour combinations that have appeared in my surroundings.  COMPLEMENTARY The contrasting leaves and berries of Aucuba japonica are a striking natural example of a complementary colour compo...

Chiaroscuro, Italian for light-dark, is a technique in the visual arts defining three-dimensional objects via light and shadow. My consistent quest for 'good lighting' has posed some limitations to the exploration of Chiaroscuro within my camera roll, with only 2/9000 images displaying a clear contrast between the two.   The first image is a photograph taken at  Wieliczka Salt Mine, Poland.  The exhibit clearly presents the concept of Chiaroscuro, positioning light to  add depth in the scene by providing a  focus,  foreground  and a backdrop.  Light and shadow also enhance the definition of the sculpture - as intended by the Chiaroscuro technique. The second image explores the Chiaroscuro theory within the city landscape.  Light is evidently used to accentuate the dome of St Pauls Cathedral in the night skyline, but  I  quickly experimented with highlights and shadows to...