Growing up in Marin, I was surrounded by people collecting pelican and hawk feathers, small smooth stones, sea-finds, special leaves, and other found trinkets. It was an almost unnoticed ritual that accompanied any walk in nature. These objects would make their way onto informal altars of sorts. Altars to nature were made on bookshelves, dashboards, window sills and were added to over time. These were the collections that made dusting hard, but seemed of value. They taught me the importance of small treasures and appreciating beauty in the bits as you discover them. 

The ritual of collecting worn stones, and special shells helps you slow down, take in all the textures, patterns and forms, hidden below a quick glance in the wild. The collections provide a reminder to the beauty of the outside world, once back home amidst the more prevalent human made objects, artifacts and clutter.

On a recent trip to Muir Beach, the protected yet rugged little beach close to our house, I gathered some new beach objects and added some long-held. I created an altar to the natural world, to good spirits and to to treasure. Inspired by the beach outing and by the energy of the Pacific, the wind whipping, and the fog creeping, I created an arrangement full of movement and texture. In contrast to the washed out grey of the beach that day, the flowers celebrate vibrant color and early fall.