Maria Jost is a Tacoma-based artist and educator whose work is primarily influenced and inspired by the ecological and neurological sciences. Her artistic process involves the use of watercolor, ink, metal leaf and collage elements made from original illustrations. Topics of illustrative work and past projects include human uses and interactions with local flora and fauna, the cycling of energy and matter within an ecosystem, natural selection, the plight of marine organisms, and most currently, neurodiversity and brain health. Jost’s current project, Hidden Jewels, is a collaborative multimedia tool, an interactive offering designed to positively impact nervous system health in participants.

This exhibition will be open to the public February 3-27 during library open hours. Meet the artist Saturday, February 14th from noon to 2 pm in the library.

In a corner of many of the paintings are small, abstract designs and the word “Riktlinier,” which means “guideline.” These designs are af Klint’s interpretations of the spiritual messages she has received from each flower. The catalog includes four essays giving biography, historical context, her challenge to conventions of botanical drawing, and her techniques and materials. Jodi Hauptman’s essay, “Hilma af Klint’s Flora,” gives examples of the guidelines af Klint intended her designs to convey. For instance, the horned pansy she associates with Norway and with “unruliness” and “sadness.” It’s not clear how she connects these guidelines with actions by her viewers.

Abstraction is typical of the most well-known of af Klint’s paintings. A Google search reveals multiple reproductions, some even attached to tea towels and quilts. The botanical works in this catalog have been less well known but deserve their excellent reproduction here.

A November 16, 2025 article in the New Yorker describes a fascinating contest over control of af Klint’s work between those who want to limit contact with the paintings to spiritual seekers and those who favor wider exhibitions. No trace of that quarrel appears in this catalog. If you are curious, though, the article adds spice to this already lovely and intriguing book.

Mark your calendars for our Garden Lovers’ Book Sale, Friday and Saturday, April 10 and 11. This is your chance to choose from hundreds of books on gardening, plants, and related topics. Details will be in the March issues of Leaflet and Leaflet for Scholars, but plan on a party and the best selection on Friday evening, and a day of shopping for bargains on Saturday.

Volunteers are key to the success of the Book Sale. If you’re interested in helping with setup the morning of April 10, the party that late afternoon and early evening, or take down on the afternoon of April 11, please contact Nick Williams at nickjpw@uw.edu.

Can you help by donating gently-used gardening books this month? The last day for book donations is February 28.

The Garden Lovers’ Book Sale only happens once a year — don’t miss it!

Now through March, we are featuring garden design resources in the cozy corner near our magazine display area.

Whether you are working on a rain garden, interested in using more native plants, or curious about trends in green design, relevant resources are ready for you to borrow directly from the display — just bring one to three to the librarian for check out.