Creative Life Journal
Reflections on creative life, photography, natural history, and fine art — shaped by a lifelong connection with nature.
Joined at the Hip
Images and words have always travelled together for me. While a photograph can speak powerfully on its own, words can guide, teach, and open new ways of seeing.
Here, in the quiet heat of the day, a young Lumholtz tree kangaroo gently settled the debate — climbing onto my shoulder and reminding me that presence sometimes matters more than progress.
Readers often begin here
Many of the ideas explored here form the philosophical backbone of my teaching and workshops.
Digital Art: Sea Life
Ocean of Life‘The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. … Whoever does not know it and can no longer wonder, no longer marvel, is as good as dead, and his eyes are dimmed.’ Albert EinsteinI was seven years old when I was first introduced to sea...
Digital Art: Forests and Woodlands
Forests and Woodlands‘To create art we must enter a place of no-thought, we arrive through inner stillness where the playful child resides.’ Steve ParishDry sclerophyll forests, wet sclerophyll forests, wet tropical rainforest subtropical rainforest, warm-temperate...
Digital Art: Kangaroos and Wallabies
Kangaroos and Wallabies'Who created you? Surely such imaginations would be among the chosen few, 'cause after all who else can run so fast and leap so far with such poise, and balance, and always with a gently beating heart.' Steve ParishIn my earlier days as a...
Digital Art: Waterbirds
Waterbirds'Swan Song, wind song, mirror of the sky. What adventures do you tempt, what secrets do you hide, drifting past chest out, head high, puffed with pride.' - Steve ParishMirror-smooth reflections of clear blue skies, towering trees, cloud sculptures and sleek,...
Photographing Australia: Rainforest
Photographing AustralianRAINFORESTThe best conditions for photographing rainforest are either bright overcast or misty weather – days that start out with heavy mist that is then, around mid-morning, penetrated by the sun. The shafts of light that fill the forest...
Natural History: Wet Tropical Rainforest
Australian Natural History:Tropical Rainforest‘Rainforest is the single most important biological resource we hold in trust for Australia’s future.’Professor Michael Archer in Conserving Australia’s Rainforests, Aila Keto and Keith Scott, 1995Text Alan Fox -...
Creative Life: Marine Life – A Pathway to Purpose
Science and Photography: A Pathway to PurposeYou never know where your first project may lead: Projects may be born in many ways, but for me, most projects begin with a casual interest in some new, visually appealing content. As my images are catalogued, I see a...
Natural History: Australia’s Floral Emblems
Natural History:Australia's Floral EmblemsMost nations of the world select a special flower, tree or fern as a floral emblem. South Africa has — the Protea, Japan — the Cherry Blossom, England — the Rose and New Zealand — the Silver Fern. The shape of the chosen plant...
Creative Life: Embrace Your Fears
Creative Life:Embrace Your FearsWhen we look at the contribution our innate fears can play to as we follow our creative life purpose, we need to perhaps look at fear through a different lens. So what are the fears we harbour? No time, no money, no real talent,...
