Fire Ecology

August 6, 2016Jessica Neafsey

Two weeks ago Friday, I left home as the #Soberanesfire crested and moved through these coastal mountains... Upon returning, it took my breath away to see one whole facade of my home covered in an incredible diversity of #moths and beetles, who all appeared to be resting... Among them I met this handsome guy.. A #ceanothussilkmoth, or #Hyalophoraeuryalus... What a time to emerge - these moths only live two weeks as an adult... This one was born into the chaparral's season of fire. Lacking a mouth or digestive system, these moths gain their wings and feathery antennae to seek out their mate... I would wear these colors and patterns in pursuit of the same, wouldn't you?!! Something sexy coming soon!!! #animacalifornia #everydayecology #ecoliteracy #conservation #connection #fortheloveofawildlife #fireecology

We have so much to learn from animals, and we know it ❤️

How rich is your inner life? How wild and beautiful is your inner landscape, when you find yourself in solitude? Do you allow joy to inhabit you, to abide in you? Wishing everyone a great week!! #innerlandscape #peaceofthewild #abidingjoy #featherboakelp

Sometimes what we don’t even know we are missing, is still right here 💓#southcentralcaliforniacoaststeelhead #cachagua #steelheadrecovery #carmelriversteelheadassociation

We don’t have a word That carries the weight Of what it means To never even know what is missing We live our days From one moment, and one place To the next Without knowing the names Of forms of life that have lived here For thousands of years That - by our consumption and destruction - are now forever missing We try to pretend That we are not animals That our human lives matter more Than what is missing We talk about diversity and equality As if we know what those virtues mean, Though we still don’t have Any reference point, Any fond memories, Any stories to tell, About what is missing It’s not just wild lives, but our own wildness, that can only be felt through theirs, that is missing. Homage to one of the greatest artists and landscape architects of our time, Maya Lin and her last memorial www.whatismissing.net #californiacondor #romneyacoulteri #mayalin #whatismissing

Can’t wait to share the kelp artistry of @moniquesonoquie with you all when I open shop soon here in Carmel! #bullkelp #kelpweaver #kelpbasket #carmelbeach #kelpforest #carmelbythesea

Hope you can handle more bull kelp from me ❤️ #bullkelp #besties #carmelbeach

I am always holding the memory of water, too ❤️ Diving dreams every night last week! What I love about algae so much is that even on land it evokes ocean, effortlessly. #bullkelp #kelpwrack #algaegram #patternsofcalifornia #peaceofthewild #lookdown

#Repost @nationalparkservice with @get_repost ・・・ Dance like no one is watching....except the wildlife camera. . Did you know? Spotted skunks will sometimes go into a handstand and move around in an attempt to intimidate any would be aggressors... like this camera at Saguaro National Park, #Arizona . #FridayFeeling #FindYourPark #natureupclose #skunk #dancedancedance #saguaro #nationalparkservice

“Sketching” with bull kelp for the new dress pattern ❤️ #bullkelp #algaegram

This weekend I got to hang out with two of my favorite people back in town from a big adventure, and enjoy a little bit of the wonderful #Photowalk in Carmel, which ended at @centerphotographicart You could hear the Bach Festival music just outside, and it made me really appreciate this amazing artistic community we have in our little seaside town.

Friends — come down tomorrow to @beebarkandmoss to find the pop up for amazing artist @atelierom and her handmade clothing and textiles - one of a kind pieces made with so much love!! #Repost @atelierom with @get_repost ・・・ neighborhood designer in #CarmelbytheSea downtown #maker scene her new shop just round the corner #anima_california opens soon!!! JESSICA looking gorgeous in our #oneofakind #indigo #kantha #drapejacket

I dew ❤️

WRACK - such a great word for a tangle of wave-tossed, intertwined life from the kelp forest.... Here is one of the soon-to-be-released algae prints, an interpretation of bull kelp wrack, coming to a silk dress soon! #algaegram #bullkelp #wrack #carmelbeach #carmelbythesea #kelpaddict

To some men.... One day I hope you might know that your true wealth is measured in your own openness and ability to love, and that your capacity for lasting love is evolutionarily linked to the agility and depth of your own imagination. Women don’t mate with mere scars and muscle. They mate with wild imagination, emotional intelligence, warmth, joy, vulnerability, and unbridled affection for life.

Not zebra - what is it? Think small.... We have an abundance of our own “exotic” species here in North America... Hoping conservation and recovery efforts keep this one around for a long time to come...... #patternsofCalifornia #patternsofamerica #threatenedwildlife

Curiosity is love, raw and unfiltered. Stay curious! About our world, each other, and your self ❤️

Well thanks! And thanks to all who came out last night for the reception. I made a recommitment this past winter to working first as artist, then as a designer... I am most interested in speaking to the heart, especially in times like these. So much more to share with you ❤️

“I surrender my life to that river of love that nourishes and restores life in whatever way it can.” Marianne Williamson. Huichol Yarn painting (the only art I’ve ever bought) by Shaman Eligio Carrillo

Another version of the #corallinealgae pattern....

Upright coralline algae... it takes a lot of energy to grow and calcify! The crustose form of coralline algae, not shown here, give a signal to abalone larvae that they are in the right place to metamorphosize into their incredible adult form. I imagine there are probably many more ancient relationships between our algal “primary producers” and many other forms of marine life that we are not even aware of.. These coralline algae, composed of calcium carbonate, are one of many primary producers threatened by ocean acidification... If you’ve ever poured vinegar on a sea shell, you get the idea. If you get underwater anywhere form Alaska to Chile you’ll see these beauties.... #uprightcorallinealgae #primaryproducers #everydayecology #lovewhatsstillhere #oceanacidification #montereybay #nationalmarinesanctuaries #carmelbeach #monasterybeach #bigsur #carmelbythesea

ANIMA promotes celebration of local biodiversity, while supporting ocean conservation through Mission Blue.