In this captivating book, artist and avid beachcomber Josie Iselin reveals the unexpected beauty of seaweed. Produced on a flatbed scanner, Iselin's vibrant portraits of ocean flora reveal the exquisite color and extraordinary forms of more than two hundred specimens gathered from tidal pools along the California and Maine coasts. Her engaging text, which accompanies the images, blends personal observation and philosophical musings with scientific fact. Originally published in hardback in 2014, this book is now available in paperback for the first time, this edition includes a new foreword and updated nomenclature. An Ocean Garden is a poetic and compelling tribute to the natural world and the wonder it evokes.
Josie Iselin is a photographer, writer, and book designer with six previous books to her credit, including Beach Stones and The Curious World of Seaweed. She holds a BA in visual and environmental studies from Harvard University and an MFA from San Francisco State University. Her writing and art focusing on seaweed and kelp put her at the forefront of ocean activism, collaborating with scientists and environmental groups working to preserve the kelp forests of the Pacific Coast. Her work is on view at www.josieiselin.com. She lives and works in San Francisco, where she walks the beach often.
"Beguiling [...] Ms. Iselin's images made using a flatbed scanner are a reminder that the natural world and that of abstract art aren't that far apart."
– The New York Times
"Visually captivating [...] a visual delight."
– ForeWord Reviews