“The world is blue at its edges and in its depths. This blue is the light that got lost. Light at the blue edge of the spectrum does not travel the whole distance from the sun to us. It disperses among the molecules of the air, it scatters in water. Water is colorless, shallow water appears to be the color of whatever lies underneath it, but deep water is full of this scattered light, the purer the water the deeper the blue. The sky is blue for the same reason, but the blue at the horizon, the blue of land that seems to be dissolving into the sky, is a deeper, dreamier, melancholy blue, the blue at the farthest reaches of the places where you see for miles, the blue of distance. This light that does not touch us, does not travel the whole distance, the light that gets lost, gives us the beauty of the world, so much of which is in the color blue.” – Rebecca Solnit, A Field Guid to Getting Lost
Blue is my favorite color. It’s the color of the sky and the color of water. While attending an environmental conference at DePauw University in Indiana in 2007, I heard one of their alumni speak about his work in ocean and sea turtle conservation. His name was Wallace J Nichols and I’ve followed his career ever since. In 2014, Nichols published the book, Blue Mind, about the surprising benefits of being near, in, or on water. I loved that book and wrote about it on my blog. Nichols always gave out blue marbles at his speaking engagements.
“Blue Mind is a mildly meditative state characterized by calm, peacefulness, unity, and a sense of general happiness and satisfaction with life in the moment. It is inspired by water and elements associated with water, from the color blue to the words we use to describe the sensations associated with immersion.” ~ Wallace J Nichols
It’s been a month since I learned of Nichols sudden death at the age of 56. His loss is tremendous, not only for his family, but also for the world, as a leading advocate for water. I was shocked and saddened as he was so full of life and I’d been following his life and work for more than 15 years. I needed to think about how best to pay tribute, besides donating to his memorial fund for a foundation. Two things helped me.
First, I’ve just finished reading Maggie Nelson’s book, Bluets, which offers 240 odes to the color blue. This week, Suleika Jaouad (The Isolation Journals) reprinted the first 13 of Nelson’s odes and invited her community to write 13 odes to their favorite color. In honor of Wallace J Nichols, here are my odes to “blue mind.”
1. Water bodies and horizon spots are my favorite place to contemplate. Living in the tiny, tourist town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, I can walk to the shores of Lake Ontario in less than 15 minutes. It draws me like a magnet and I’m always surprised by what I find. I’ve been photographing there almost every day for the past twelve years and it’s never the same.
2. Nichols says the characteristics that make visual images stand out are tied to what helps us survive in the natural world – color, shininess, and motion. These are all prominent features of water. Water can be calming, reflective, and powerful. It has rhythm and mesmerizes us. It feels, smells, and tastes refreshing.
3. Blue is also the color of the sky and it’s reflected in any shiny surface, especially buildings. This one is the Marriott hotel in downtown Indianapolis and it is endlessly fascinating to photograph as it interacts with constantly changing sky and clouds.
4. The idea of blue roses strikes me as intriguing. This is one of my favorite photographs from the Wynwood Walls in Miami, a whole city block of graffiti paintings, this one by Jenna Morello. It made me stop and wonder.
5. I try to get to an ocean every year and have been lucky to have been able to do so over the last ten years, minus 2020 of course. The oceans evoke awe and wonder and a little fear in me. Their power is palpable. I never tire of seeing the sun sparkling on blue water. This is the Atlantic Ocean from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
6. I enjoy abstract photography and often use intentional camera movement or a slow shutter speed with water to show its constant motion. This type of image also brings the different colors of blue to the forefront, from robin’s egg to ultramarine to teal. There’s something very calming about these types of images.
7. Of course, you don’t have to use intentional movement as water is always moving and you can also convey motion in a still image. I call this one the gesture of water. I like its suggestion of a thumbprint. Does water have a fingerprint? I think so.
8. I used to love swimming pools when I was growing up and learned to swim in one. These days I don’t have access to a pool very often and when I do, it needs to be quite warm for me to get in. No matter what, I often become mesmerized by the colors and patterns in a pool. This might be my favorite color of blue.
9. Once a very long time ago, I was seasick while on a boat in Lake St. Clair. I still remember it as being one of the worst sicknesses I’ve ever experienced. I had to lie down below deck and missed most of the boat ride. I never want to go through that again, although I can appreciate a little rhythmic rocking of a boat on the water.
10. I love to photograph images with some kind of filter over it, giving it a sense of mystery. This image of me – a reflection in a painting – was taken at Stratus Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake. I don’t like having my picture taken but I used this one for my Visual CV to answer the question, “Who are you?” I can be a bit of an enigma.
11. Sometimes the seas can get a little rough, sometimes a lot rough. Sometimes, you feel blue. Yet, there’s beauty to be found in a storm. The roiling waters will subside in time. There’s always calm before and after the storm. It’s the cycle of life, like the ebb and flow of the tide, the rhythm of life.
12. Water is the one element that comes in three forms – liquid, gas, and solid in the form of ice. Ice is mostly clear but also reflects blue beautifully. We get a lot of ice where I live so you have to make the most of it. I like to go skating on ice and the local wineries make ice wine from frozen grapes. We have a winter festival that celebrates Icewine.
13. What lies above lies below. Sky and earth are one. I don’t know what lies ahead. I don’t know where I will go when I die. But, we still stay a part of what we’ve left behind. Wherever you are, Wallace J Nichols, your blue-mind legacy lives on. I wish you water.
It is obvious that Nichols and his work has had a profound effect on you. These thirteen odes to blue reflect both his legacy to the world and your profound understanding of his work. All of these applications show how deep the connection of water and blue flows into your everyday world. Thank you for sharing such a delightful article.
PS Reading about boats and rough seas, I recalled our return ferry trip from Innis Oirr. The boat was pitching and the waves were splashing up over the sides. I distinctly remember your glee as I was doused by a rogue wave. You do love water!
Oh thank you for seeing that Angela and I appreciate you taking the time to read. You are a special one and I’m so glad we were able to meet in Ireland. I remember that boat ride well. We laughed a lot!