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Leaves and Pods
From the delicate new growth that emerges in springtime to jewel-toned fall foliage to winter's brown husks, leaves unfurl, mature, and wither in a life cycle that evokes our own. But a tree's leaves and the protective pods that cradle its seeds not only serve as metaphors for our they actually sustain us. Each leaf plays an essential role, gathering nutrients for the tree and producing oxygen for the planet.
In Leaves & Pods , artist Josie Iselin celebrates the diversity and beauty of these transitory objects with lushly detailed portraits of foliage she has gathered throughout the seasons across the world. As in her previous book, Beach Stones , Iselin arranges found natural objects into striking images, which she produces on a flatbed scanner. In her introduction and captions, nature writer Mary Ellen Hannibal thoughtfully examines leaves and pods in all their variety, explaining why they look as they do and their essential role in supporting life on earth.
Both an art book and a botanical guide, Leaves & Pods reveals the splendor, complexity, and purpose of some of the most common objects in our natural world. This contemplation of nature combines aesthetic delight in familiar objects with scientific fact and philosophical wonder.
In Leaves & Pods , artist Josie Iselin celebrates the diversity and beauty of these transitory objects with lushly detailed portraits of foliage she has gathered throughout the seasons across the world. As in her previous book, Beach Stones , Iselin arranges found natural objects into striking images, which she produces on a flatbed scanner. In her introduction and captions, nature writer Mary Ellen Hannibal thoughtfully examines leaves and pods in all their variety, explaining why they look as they do and their essential role in supporting life on earth.
Both an art book and a botanical guide, Leaves & Pods reveals the splendor, complexity, and purpose of some of the most common objects in our natural world. This contemplation of nature combines aesthetic delight in familiar objects with scientific fact and philosophical wonder.
- GenresArtPhotography
144 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2006
16 people want to read
About the author
Josie Iselin
18 books6 followersJosie Iselin is the photographer, author and designer of many books, with new projects always in development in her San Francisco studio, Loving Blind Productions. Her recent books focus on the spectacular forms of seaweed we find at the beach. Her newest book, The Curious World of Seaweed, features sixteen visually rich narratives of our iconic West Coast seaweeds and kelps. It is due out by Heyday in August 2019.
Josie's mission is to produce well-researched and well-designed books that combine art and science, leaving the reader with new information about, and an appreciation for, the world around them. Her writing and art focused on seaweeds, kelp and sea otter put her on the forefront of ocean activism, presenting and working with scientists and groups working to preserve the kelp forests of our Pacific Coast.
Josie holds a BA in Visual and Environmental Studies from Harvard and an MFA from San Francisco State University. For over twenty years Josie has used her flatbed scanner and computer exclusively for generating imagery. She is still captivated by the fluidity with which this technique allows her to render and design with three-dimensional objects. As a fine artist, Josie exhibits large-scale prints at select galleries, museums, hospitals and other public spaces. She has designed a line of luxury scarves and shower curtains. Synthesizing the scientific stories of our coast is her overriding passion, bringing thoughtfulness and stewardship to this extraordinary place of discovery. Visit her website at josieiselin.com.
Josie's mission is to produce well-researched and well-designed books that combine art and science, leaving the reader with new information about, and an appreciation for, the world around them. Her writing and art focused on seaweeds, kelp and sea otter put her on the forefront of ocean activism, presenting and working with scientists and groups working to preserve the kelp forests of our Pacific Coast.
Josie holds a BA in Visual and Environmental Studies from Harvard and an MFA from San Francisco State University. For over twenty years Josie has used her flatbed scanner and computer exclusively for generating imagery. She is still captivated by the fluidity with which this technique allows her to render and design with three-dimensional objects. As a fine artist, Josie exhibits large-scale prints at select galleries, museums, hospitals and other public spaces. She has designed a line of luxury scarves and shower curtains. Synthesizing the scientific stories of our coast is her overriding passion, bringing thoughtfulness and stewardship to this extraordinary place of discovery. Visit her website at josieiselin.com.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 2, 2021
What a beautiful, educational book!
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June 18, 2022Gorgeous photography and interesting details about trees and more.
October 26, 2024
5 star photography, with all kinds of interesting fun facts about leaves, seeds, and trees. My master gardener father loved this, and kept it for his reference library. A beautiful book.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews