PRINCETON, N.J. — At D&R Greenway Land Trust, an author and a photographer are exploring trees, miniscule plants and other species from a different perspective.
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Author Andrea Fereshteh and Photographer Tasha O’Neill offer unique views of their take on nature.
Fereshteh will discuss her book called, “In the Company of Trees,” Thursday at D&R Greenway’s Johnson Education Center, while O’Neill currently has a display of her close-up photography of oft-overlooked nature called “From a Child’s Perspective“ at D&R Greenway’s Olivia Rainbow Gallery.
“Practicing being present in nature has been a truly transformative experience for me,” Fereshteh says.
Fereshteh credits the lands preserved by D&R Greenway and other local conservation groups for inspiring her to write a newly published book about the ancient and enduring wisdom of trees.
“We are so lucky to have so many amazing preserved natural spaces in our area. They are incredible resources for experiencing firsthand the magic of nature, and I am thrilled to encourage others to get outside and take advantage of our local trails by sharing this new book,” she says.
Fereshteh has an interest in blending mindful and contemplative practices with nature, which has led her into the woods of central New Jersey where she has practiced forest bathing for the past two years.
Her book is full of short essays, inspirational quotes and color photographs that can be enjoyed piece-by-piece, allowing the reader to savor the experience of trees, healing and nature.
Likewise, O’Neill’s photography focuses macro-lenses on the unusual and the tiniest plants in nature that give the Olivia Rainbow Gallery art lovers the outdoor experiences of the late Artist Olivia Kuenne.
“I seem to be drawn to the unusual. The tiniest plants compel me, as though I were still my child self. I am pleased that D&R Greenway invited me to share these images from the child’s perspective for Olivia’s Rainbow Gallery,” O’Neill explains.
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O’Neill’s art regularly appears in the Princeton-area juried exhibitions.
Recently, D&R Greenway demonstrated her one-person exhibition of her “Forest Bathing” art in their Soul of a Tree display; and is also highlighting her Golden Light art about the apotheosis of winter trees in their Lovely as a Tree display.
This artist grew up in a diverse countryside of Germany, where her family was dedicated to nature.
“There we would walk; explore; learn about wild plants and berries; and then nap in the meadow. With our faces so close to the flowers, the gentle buzzing of insects would lull us to sleep,” she states.
Both Fereshteh and O’Neill are sharing their love for nature locally.
At 7 p.m. Thursday, Fereshteh will discuss the inspiration for her book.
A month later, at 5 p.m. Thursday, Mar. 21, she will lead a mediation workshop focused on trees, healing and nature at the Johnson Education Center, where participants will also walk through Greenway Meadows Park.
During the walk Fereshteh will guide them to pause and ignite their senses at different points so they will experience the benefits of being immersed in nature.
These Princeton events are free, but require registration at rsvp@drgreenway.org, or by calling 609-924-4646.
The public can see O’Neill’s other exhibitions such as Gifts from the Sea at Merwick’s Millstone Gallery in Princeton from March 10 to May 9. And, Princeton’s Nassau Club will feature her Shapes of Water artwork in November and December this year.
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