spontaneous journaling in nature

get lost in nature~

this post is inspired by a birthday gift from a dear friend. “The Backyard Bird Chronicles” by Amy Tan (ordering directly from the artist/writer supports their work more!) is a delight to read and is filled with notes about and illustrations of birds in her backyard.

i love her style of journaling and was inspired to start yet another journal and fill it with my own observations, notes and illustrations. our current backyard is a haven for birds and wildlife. from the colony of great blue herons nesting in the pine trees behind our house, to the deer family that pays us daily visits, we have no shortage of entertainment.

i carry a little bag of art supplies wherever i go and love to break out my journal and make art in random places. i am excited to focus on nature and wildlife… to sketch, take notes, record the beauty of the natural world. multiple studies show the benefits of being in nature… making art in nature just makes it that much better!

you may remember from a previous post, i wanted to befriend a crow. that wish has come true!! ‘lulu’ comes into the backyard multiple times a day now for treats and to drink from the bird bath which we are determined to keep clean and full of fresh water for all of our bird friends.

even when we go out for dinner the crows are getting friendly…

check out my friend Hannah who paints beautiful paintings of birds. i love her unique style and her palette. HERE are some more bird paintings to admire~ and some thoughts and information on sketching in nature … and nature sketching as a drawing practice. my friend Elizabeth spends a lot of time in nature between her homeland of ireland and her home in asheville. the beauty she witnesses is reflected in her gorgeous paintings.

yesterday at airlie gardens, (a spot i visit often), this osprey was diligently nest sitting as their partner came back and forth with food. i captured this through my binoculars and wanted to share with you~ not the best photo quality, but wow! an osprey! my favorite sea bird~

i have a little watercolor journal in my art bag and will share photos in the next post as i make art in nature.

whatever and however you sketch or draw or paint, i hope you will find it peaceful and healing to be in nature observing all that happens in our natural world.

wishing you peace. stay safe and well. until next time~