Bloomsbury Books presents an evening of gratitude with author/photographer Eric Alan, weaving inspirational stories and photographs from his new book Grateful by Nature with the musical artistry of Heather Hutton. The event will take place on Thursday, September 8th, 7 p.m. at Bloomsbury Books, 290 E. Main Street, Ashland. The event is free, and all are welcome.

Eric Alan’s Grateful by Nature offers gratitude as our shared path home, within a return to nature. Through poetic stories and vivid photographs, the book’s mindful walk through five seasons in the Oregon backwoods outlines gratitude as a devoted practice. It guides gratitude into daily action, able to transform our most painful challenges into healing and compassion. Grateful by Nature is Eric Alan’s fourth published book, and the third to integrate his nature photography with his insightful and poetic prose. His previous photographic books include Wild Grace: Nature as a Spiritual Path, and Grace and Tranquility. He also co-wrote This Is Our Time! with Major League Baseball author Chris Haft—the inside story of the wild, improbable 2010 San Francisco Giants and their World Series Championship.

Heather Hutton bridges worlds of music and spirit through her powerful voice, skillful touch on multiple instruments, and holistic teaching methods. She served as a main musician at Unity in Ashland for seventeen years, was the Rogue Valley Peace Choir's artistic director for three seasons, and has also been a frequent guest musician for Center for Spiritual Living Rogue Valley. Heather's "Unified Voice-Works" vocal workshops guide others to increased confidence, ability, and authentic expression. She is also a public school teacher and has served as a music specialist in 13 different schools. Heather has collaborated with a variety of musical artists, including a most recent project with fellow singer-songwriter Francesco Bard. Her CD of original songs is entitled Closing the Divide.

Together, Eric Alan and Heather Hutton integrate stories and photographs from Grateful by Nature with Heather’s beautiful voice, guitar, and tuned percussion. As one, they create an inspiring shared experience of gratitude that crosses senses and forms.