- Dates: Thursday, 2:45-4:45pm, 10 Weeks
- Tuition: $90
- Instructor: Lori Austin
What exactly IS nature journaling? Spending time absorbed in the sights, sounds, and smells of the outside world can spark joy and reset a tired soul. These positive experiences can linger longer with us if we take the time to document them through writing and art in a nature journal. Experts praise nature journaling as a way to build a lasting creative connection with the environment. Artist and educator John Muir Laws states it simply, “Nature journaling will enrich your experiences and develop observation, curiosity, gratitude, reverence, memory, and the skills of a naturalist.” The point of nature journaling is to look intently and to see the world with purpose. Drawing, in particular, helps us slow down and see details we often miss. And just like with any practiced skill, our drawings will improve over time.
This class will take you through the history of nature journaling, how to set up and continue with a nature journal, how to hone your observational skills and how to record those observations – both through collecting data, writing; including creative writing, and close drawing. We will use the backyard of the Hill Institute as our field study site, in the hopes that you will transfer these skills to your own backyard. Artist talent is not required for this program – only a love of nature and observational skills.
