For years, I’ve been walking the trails that stretch from the vast expanses of Monterey Bay down to the rugged falls of Salmon Creek in Big Sur. The Inspiration provided by these dynamic, natural sensory environments acts as nature’s therapy. The raw, untamed beauty of the Pacific coastline and the psychological well-being of my students have always been a passion of mine.
When I translate the soothing, fluid, visual movements of the Monterey coast into tactile light boxes, there’s a sense of deep calm, focus, and wonder that fills the classroom. I keep working on new ideas to give students a safe rhythm to help lower their defenses and relax their minds.
This photo represents the geographic and moments of reflection that sparked a design. It demonstrates that even in the deepest shadows, light can always find a way with the idea that nature and natural light inherently reduce stress and promote healing, sort of a biophilic design, with the raw, untamed beauty of the Pacific coastline and the psychological well-being of my students. That “blue space” (coastal environments) and views of the sky that reduce cortisol levels and calm the nervous system.
