In The Blossoming of the World, Brian H. Peterson-author of the critically acclaimed The Smile at the Heart of Things-picks up both pen and camera and journeys to the deep end of life. Along the way he confronts some painful contradictions-beauty and violence, love and grief-and reflects on illness, family, death, dreams, ephiphanies, and the birth of self-awareness.

More storyteller than philosopher, Peterson struggles to reconcile his Christian faith with his love of science, creativity, and spirituality in all its manifestations. Through word and image, he quietly looks for-and finds-the common ground that unites thinking and compassionate people of all shapes and sizes.

This beautiful book contains reproductions of Peterson’s photographs which accompany and enrich his collection of essays and reflections.

Brian H. Peterson has more than forty years’ experience as a curator, critic, visual artist, musician, and arts administrator. His photographs are in the collections of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Amon Carter Museum, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Denver Art Museum, among others. As the Gerry and Marguerite Lenfest Chief Curator at the Michener Art Museum (1990-2013), he managed the exhibition program, curated historic and contemporary exhibitions, and was the editor and principal author of the landmark publication Pennsylvania Impressionism (2002). The author of two prior collections of essays-The Smile at the Heart of Things (2009) and The Blossoming of the World (2010-Peterson has contributed critical writing to the Los Angeles Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer, American Arts Quarterly, and the Photo Review. In retirement he has taken up videography while continuing his work as a writer and photographer. His 1981 song cycle “Moon Songs,” based on the poetry of E. E. Cummings, was featured on the CD Modern American Art Song (2015) with mezzo-soprano Sharon Mabry. His most recent publication is I Give My Eyes, a spiritual autobiography and a story of healing and salvation.