BY ALAN BULLEY

Grey skies getting you down? Open a copy of Flower and step into all the colours of a perpetual summer. The book is a beautiful catalogue of how flowers have been portrayed in historical and contemporary art. Photography is well represented so you’ll see Robert Mapplethorpe and Karl Blossfeldt, but you’ll also come across work by T.M. Glass, Nobuyoshi Araki, and even Martin Parr. Each page highlights a single work with a brief contextual discussion and draws attention to key features, and is printed at the highest quality. Treat your eyes and inspire your own photography!

Hardcover, 2020, 352 pages $74.95 + shipping Phaidon www.chapters.indigo.ca

Filmed over the course of four seasons near La-Malbaie in Quebec’s Charlevoix region, The Gardener tells the story of the Jardins de Quatre- Vents (Gardens of the Four Winds). A testament to the vision of Francis Cabot, the gardener in question, the gently paced documentary contemplates the pleasure of designing and enjoying beautiful spaces. The movie is not only a window on the beauty of the evolving gardens, but also gives a glimpse into Cabot’s mind as he creates and anticipates his visitors’ responses. He claims, “Gardeners are all, I suppose, trying to recreate the Garden of Eden.”

88 minutes (full length on Prime) 44 minutes (TV version on CBC Gem) Also available in French as Le jardinier

More and more, plants are not just the subject of photographs but also the substance. As we try to reduce our impact on the planet, it is good to be aware of natural options that are less likely to poison the environment (and ourselves!), particularly in connection with wet darkroom processes. The UK’s Alternative Photography website presents information about alternative processes such as how to brew your own chemistry (think coffee, mint leaves, or seaweed), and also gives readers the chance to connect with like-minded artists, and to view and exhibit work. Canadian photographers will get value from the excellent online bookstore, given restrictions on shipping chemicals internationally.

Not in the mood for a gallery or a book, but still looking for (very loosely) floral themed inspiration!? Hit the remote with your green thumb for some retro movie fun!