Red Flowers in Monet’s Garden © 2012 Bo Mackison
Whenever I am in need of spirit-lifting, my first remedy is to find the nearest flower garden and wander its paths. It’s difficult to hold on to a hurt feeling or stay in a bad mood when I focus, instead, on the beauty of the flowers I see.
Flower Bouquets © 2012 Bo Mackison
Frequently I find my time is best spent simply observing the natural world around me. I notice the artistry in nature and soak in the joyful colors. I walk in the quiet garden, and let the calm and peaceful feelings be my companions.
Floral Mix © 2012 Bo Mackison
I rest in the garden for a few minutes, standing quietly, breathing deeply. I breathe in acceptance.
So Orange! © 2012 Bo Mackison
Then I remember a line of a poem written by Mary Oliver that I love — “my work . . . is mostly standing still and learning to be astonished.”
Bright Blue Eyes © 2012 Bo Mackison
The gardens and their flowers offer so many gifts, free for the taking. I need only stand there and be astonished.
Garden Bridge © 2012 Bo Mackison
I study their bright colors, feel their velvety textures, inhale their perfume, and watch as a breeze sets them dancing. I find the rarest of gifts while walking through the garden — a sense of calm and serenity.
I took these photographs during the New York Botanical Garden’s current exhibit, Monet’s Garden. The exhibit features flowers that were historically grown in Monet’s gardens in Giverny, France. These flowers provided the inspiration for many of his floral paintings.
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Bo Mackison is a photographer and the owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC. She travels the United States and captures its beauty in images and words.
About Bo Mackison
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