This succulent lived in my front yard for three years before I took a good look at it, and even then I am not sure how clear were my perceptions. The agave grows eight feet from my parking space in front of the garage — less than two feet from the sidewalk leading into the house. I perceived these shapes only after starting a photo project exploring the intimate world of these beautiful plants.  I have in mind something I heard a famous curator say once, in my loose paraphrase: You can’t solve artistic problems in your head. Just get started on a project, having even the tiniest interest, and start exploring. You won’t know the answer in the beginning. Don’t wait for a great idea, just focus. The work will become more and more interesting. The more you work, the more you will begin to see.

(Derived from the thoughts of John Szarkowski)