Step into Nature: Nurturing Imagination and Spirit in Everyday Life

In exploring the nature of artistic creativity, Vecchione (Writing and the Spiritual Life) sees connections everywhere. A central conceit of this book is her energetic efforts to relate her walks in a park to the works of everyone from Georgia O’Keeffe to George Gershwin, demonstrating her knowledge of the artistic world, but also moving so swiftly from one idea to the next that few ideas seem fully developed. Vecchione, a creative writing and art teacher, may wish for readers to make their own connections, and to this end she sprinkles expansive writing exercises throughout the text. Clearly a poet first and a naturalist second, she frequently quotes E.E. Cummings, Walt Whitman, and other writers. When writing about encounters with the natural world, however, her inquiry feels more superficial. For instance, when she collects and dissects a seedpod, she marvels at the many layers within, but never ponders the plant’s identity. Readers anticipating the intimacy with nature suggested by the book’s title will find only fleeting instances of it. Even as Vecchione strays from her path, however, she leads the way to a wealth of ideas that will inspire artists working in all media. (Mar.)