Resources:
In addition to making observations and taking photographs, I regularly read different books relating to my interests. I never know what is going to provide inspiration for a new piece. I find frequently that reading tends to spark new trains of thought that inevitably lead to the start of something. Listed below are some notable good reads. The topics range from water management, usage and distribution, to the history of the Western United States, and general spirituality. Books on nature and art are also included. All works listed are of the non-fiction variety.
Information: Water and Related Topics
National Drought Mitigation Center: article on types of drought
Redmond, Kelly T.: The Depiction of Drought
University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources: Insights: Water and Drought Online Seminar Series
Water Education: watereducation.org-Aquafornia (newsletter)
Article: Instream Flows: Five effective Summer Flow Strategies, Ann Willis
History, Biography, and Other Non Fiction Works
Reisner, Marc Cadillac Desert-The definitive work on the history of land and water usage in the western states
Carle, David Introduction To Water in California- a good primer on California's water system
Fradkin, Philip The Seven States of California - A look at California region by region, notable features of each area and key points of history to illustrate the areas described.
Fradkin, Philip L. A River No More- An extensive overview of the Colorado River, the basin states, usage and allocation of the river as well as the history of those aspects.
Stegner, Wallace Beyond the Hundredth Meridian- Biography of John Wesley Powell and story of the opening of the Western United States. You can't go far wrong with any of Stegner's books.
Stegner, Wallace: The Sound of Mountain Water- In the first section of the book, Stegner writes beautifully about his travels in the West, detailing the physical and emotional aspects of the landscape. The second section offers his reflections on Western writers and the difficulties they face in defining and writing about the myths of the western landscape. His lifetime encompassed a time of tremendous physical and cultural change in the West. A person couldn't go far wrong with reading any of his books.
Carson, Rachel The Sea Around Us- An oldie but a goody. Ms. Carson wrote passionately about the environment. (Most notably on how we seem to be hellbent on destroying it.) This book gives a kind of view of the world's water systems from an oceanographer's viewpoint with lots of environmental activism thrown in for good measure.
Zwinger, Anne Run, River, Run-A beautiful and eloquent book from a naturalist's/artist's viewpoint about running the Green River.
Mcwilliams, Carey Fool's Paradise Taken from his articles and books, this is a sampling of McWilliam's ideas on the history of CA, activism, racial identity and politics.
Hiltzik, Michael Colossus A book about the making of Hoover Dam
Hill, Mary Geology of The Sierra Nevada
Van Dyke, John C., The Desert: Simple and timeless writing from an art historian wandering in the western US desert. His astute observations of natural phenomena and reflections on the nature of civilization are as important today as they were when first written in 1898.
Eiseley, Loren The Immense Journey: An anthropologist's reflections on man and the endless mysteries of life, time and evolution.
Web Sites, Online Publications, Blogs of Note:
Forest Living California: online magazine, blog and photography detailing life in the Northern California Foothills (and beyond!)
Geotripper: A great resource for learning about the basics of Geology, written in a way that anyone can understand. The author, Garry Hayes, has provided many links to educational and Geology related sites. This blog is a great resource!
Spirituality and General Enlightenment
Martin, James, S.J. The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality For Real Life
Silf, Margaret Inner Compass: An Invitation To Ignatian Spirituality
Palmer, Parker Let Your Life Speak: Listening For The Voice of Vocation
Murrow, Edward R. This I Believe: Selections from the 1950's Radio Series
Painting Tips
12 16 15 Review of neocolor 1; Cretacolor and Pastels
2 16 Creating and Sketching a Still Life: Tips
