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Sometimes I just feel like looking at something cl

Sometimes I just feel like looking at something close up. I originally thought I'd do a lot more drawing in my journal, but when I got to one of my favorite quiet spots on the beach, I was drawn to sit and just be.

As I sat gazing at the offshore island and birds in the distance, I relaxed into the music. As I sat back--listening to the rhythmic waves washing into the shelly beach, the crunch of crushed mussel shells beneath my feet, the cool breezy on my face, the warm sun on my head, the sea air wafting into my nose-- I felt so much calmer than when I arrived.

I've been needing this quiet-- this permission to just sit... And what I decided I wanted to focus on where the millions of common shells i was sitting on. California mussels make up about 95% of all the beachcast shells here-- All sizes, shapes,colors, different stages of decomposition-- some perfect with two valves (both halves of the mussel), some with much of the outer layer sanded off by repeated rubbing against rocks and other shells.

This is where contour drawings calm me-- I slip into a meditative state-- looking and drawing what I see --without worry of what it looks like. And almost always it ends up looking appealing-- I think I capture the feeling rather than the perfect photographic detail. I"m focusing on the experience of being with each shell, without the input of my 'inner critic'.

Have you done nay contour drawings? If not, sit down and do 6-10 of them. Keep reminding yourself that its about observing the thing in front of you- not perfect drawings. How does it feel?

#NatureForAll #mindfuldrawing #calmingnature #mindfulinnature #wonderinnature #gratitidefornature #naturesitspot #drawingnature #naturejournals #naturejournal #sparkinnature #naturejournalingweek #naturesketch #natureconnection #naturejournaling

The end of summer brings so much color! Warm reds

The end of summer brings so much color! Warm reds and oranges begin to bloom across the landscape of trees and plants. Leaves that were lush and green are beginning their transformation to fall color, before coming to rest on the ground.

What color changes do you see in your nearby nature?

The Autumn equinox is here-- the transition from summer to fall. Let's take note of nature at your local place on the earth.

Go for a walk or gaze out your window. As you notice each plant, do you remember what they were like in summer or spring? What thoughts, questions or emotions come up for you as you spend a few minutes with your plant neighbors?

Grab your nature journal and record the date, and your observations! No perfect drawings or handwriting required! Just scribble your thoughts and noticings.--this helps us to see more deeply, slow down, and remember.

Let me know what you find!

#calmingnature #mindfulinnature #wonderinnature #gratitidefornature #gardenjournaling #naturejournalclub #naturejournal #sparkinnature #natureconnection #naturejournaling

Yesterday, the sky was absolutely amazing- from su

Yesterday, the sky was absolutely amazing- from sunrise to sunset!

I was driving early in the morning, just after sunrise, and driving toward the rising sun. The sky view directly ahead of me took my breath away.

It was full of low cumulus clouds (the puffy ones) creating breaks in the bright sunbeams shining through the clouds—crepuscular rays, radiating out from the horizon and out in all directions.

The top margins of the clouds were glowing brightly as they were backlit by the morning sun. I took a few breaths and I watch in awe.

My heart felt warm, my whole body felt happy, and my eyes welled up with joy. I was so grateful that I could see this amazing sight. I wished that I could pull over and just sit and BE with the sunrise!

I felt humbled, a deep reverence, and gratitude and connection with all of nature.

Later in the day I went for a walk with my daughter and we enjoyed another breathtaking sky view just before sunset. It was so much more fun to share it with another.

(I couldn't photograph the morning sky, so this photo is from my sunset walk.)

Have you had this kind of experience in nature? What was it like?

#NatureForAll #calmingnature #mindfulinnature #wonderinnature #gratitidefornature #naturesitspot #sparkinnature #natureconnection

What a special treat! An upclose view of these flo

What a special treat! An upclose view of these flowers and seed pods--Usually these trees are so tall that the flowers are out of reach and I cannot get a close look at them, unless they've fallen on the ground. So I was delighted to discover this tree at eye level.
I'm loving the reds and the sage/blue-green leaves, and the unusual shaped seed pods.
When I cannot nature journaling right away, I like taking photographs of various parts from different angles to be used for reference later.

I plan to return to this tree and see how the flowers develop into the seedpods. I'll look at the trunk and bark, since I didn't get a photo.

We we visit to the same individual in nature over time we develop an intimate understanding and personal connection. Is there a tree that you have been visiting over time?

Do you have a tree friend, or would like to get to know a tree better?

You might like my next offering- **Befriending Trees** online class begins Sept 28.

We'll be learning how to read tree language, how and why leaves turn in fall, easy tree sketching practice, celebrating and enjoying trees, and more.

See link in bio for details

#wonderinnature #naturesitspot #drawingnature #naturejournalclub #naturejournals #naturejournal #sparkinnature #naturejournalingweek #naturesketch #natureconnection #naturejournaling

Nature journaling at the tidepools. Tons of hermit

Nature journaling at the tidepools. Tons of hermit crabs in so many kinds of shells, numerous varieties of seaweeds and kelp, and millions of empty shells on the beach to explore.

Who lived in this shell? What does the hermit crab look like when its born and how small is it? So, that means there has to be shells of ALL sizes for the hermit crabs? So, snails of all sizes must die so that hermit crabs can live? Lots of curious questions!

It was a lovely sunny morning with a private nature journaling excursion.

If you'd like to book *your* private session, contact me for more info. Link in Bio

#NatureForAll #mindfulinnature #wonderinnature #gratitidefornature #naturesitspot #drawingnature #naturejournalclub #naturejournals #naturejournal #sparkinnature #naturejournalingweek #naturesketch #natureconnection #naturejournaling #tidepools #hermitcrabs #marinelife

Recently I’ve been noticing a lot of changes in

Recently I’ve been noticing a lot of changes in nature yet not being able to nature journal them. Sometimes life is just so full that I’m not able to it.

But my nature journaler eye allows me to stop, notice more carefully, see the colors, texture, smells and wonder.

I pruned my hydrangea bush with some hesitation. I love seeing the big blossoms as they turn into muted pink and burgundy- but they were getting overgrown and blocking our walkway, so they needed to be cut back.

I was sad to trim them off, so took some extra moments to soak in what I was seeing. I put the cut flowers in a couple vases to enjoy in my house. These photos remind me of that day.

I had hoped to draw some of the gorgeous color changing leaves, and saved a few in the refrigerator for a later date.

I’m not sure when and if I’ll get to nature journal them- and I’m letting myself just be ok with it.

What’s important to me is that I DID notice… i might just make a quick entry in my journal with the date I pruned it for future reference- since I’m experimenting with how to prune ans what happens to the grown in spring.

Do you ever feel bad that you didn’t journal something that you wanted to?

Could you carve out 15 minutes to do it this week?

If not, can you just make a quick note? Or release yourself from the obligation?

Nature journaling should be done because you want to- not because you have to.

And I find, that the moments taken to just be present with nature have more benefits than I know!

#calmingnature #mindfulinnature #wonderinnature #gardenjournaling #naturesitspot #naturejournalclub #naturejournals #naturejournal #sparkinnature #naturejournalingweek #naturesketch #natureconnection #naturejournaling

What's happening in my garden now, in mid-late sum

What's happening in my garden now, in mid-late summer. The hydrangeas and other summer flowers are full and beginning to fade. It leaves me with melancholoy.

Its funny that i feel this way. There are still other plants that are at their peak or coming into peak all the time. I feel a sadness when I see them fade-- and wonder if I really squeezed out all the love and attention and appreciation I could?

This time I realized that I haven't had a good balance between nature noticing time and busy-work. (well, its not busy-work- its good work but unbalance with not enough ME time or nature time).

I was compelled to sit outside and observe the lovely plants and flowers. I sat for a while with my senses open.

A few minutes later I was refreshed and ready to return to my work behind the computer feeling more clear-minded.

I tend to forget that Nature time is essential part of my life "work". I'm grateful that I can just be reminded and then step outside to listen to what nature wants to show and tell me.

Have you noticed what happening in your nearby nature right now? When did you take a nature break without your phone or device? Not today or yesterday? Why not go out today, and let me know how you feel afterward!

#NatureForAll #calmingnature #mindfulinnature #wonderinnature #gratitidefornature #drawingnature #naturesitspot #naturejournals #naturejournal #sparkinnature #naturesketch #natureconnection #naturejournaling #naturejournalingweek #needmorenature

Do you wonder how to befriend trees? Or are you a

Do you wonder how to befriend trees? Or are you a tree lover that wants to enrich your connection with trees?

Join us for Befriending Trees- Fall Harvest

We'll use the nature journal to observe trees in a new light, learn about their autumn natural processes, learn their personalities, and glean tree wisdom that can enrich our lives.

Find out more- link in bio

3-part online offering with Melinda Nakagawa begins 9/28 at 4pm Pacific

#mindfuldrawing #mindfulinnature #wonderinnature #gratitidefornature #naturesitspot #drawingnature #naturejournalclub #naturejournal #sparkinnature #naturejournalingweek #naturesketch #natureconnection #naturejournaling

Noticing the changes in season as we enter midsumm

Noticing the changes in season as we enter midsummer. Ripe huckleberries, fluffy grass seed heads with stems drying to tan and red, and golden cat’s ear flowers.

What’s different in your nearby nature today compared with a few weeks ago?

Or visit a place this week, note what you see in your nature journal, then return to that spot in a week or two, or a month to see what changes you see.

Nature journaling is a great way to help us focus on seeing more in nature, as well as a place to record what we see (so we don’t have to count on our memory for it!). The more you spend time intentionally observing, the more gems you’ll find!

You can share your observations here or in our Spark Circles Nature journaling community- (link in bio)-

#wonderinnature #naturesitspot #sparkinnature #natureconnection #naturejournaling

Have you avoided drawing clouds? Come explore easy

Have you avoided drawing clouds? Come explore easy ways to invite cloudscapes to your nature journal.

Bring your journal, pen, and colors and we'll play together.

Sunday July 16, 9:30am Pacific.
See Link in Bio to register

A very sweet discovery - froglets!! One of my favo

A very sweet discovery - froglets!! One of my favorite local nature places is The Frog Pond nature preserve. On this day I was noticing the bushy leaves of smartweed growing by the observation deck. As I approached I thought I saw a bug, then another, and another. When I leaned in closer I was happily surprised to see dozens of tiny froglets!! Only about 2-3cm long.

Funny that they were resting on the leaves- sometimes 2-3 on one leaf, in the sunshine. Made me wonder- wouldn’t that make them dry out? Or maybe they were in the shade and decided to move into the sun.

I was also surprised to see the varying colors- some had lots of markings others had very little- from a sparkly gold, to light green, to tan/brown.

So fun to see so many!

What tiny treasures might you be missing in your nature?

Take a closer look at something ordinary, and allow the extraordinary to be revealed to you!

#NatureForAll #mindfuldrawing #mindfulinnature #wonderinnature #gratitidefornature #naturesitspot #drawingnature #naturejournalclub #naturejournals #naturejournal #sparkinnature #naturejournalingweek #naturesketch #natureconnection #naturejournaling #drawingfrogs #frogs

Several local nature journalers from Monterey Bay

Several local nature journalers from Monterey Bay Nature Journal Club have their nature journal pages in an exhibit at my local Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History in Pacifc Grove, California.

The exhibit is called Wonder, and showcases various collections to stimulate wonder and curiosity! The nature journal pages are included in several books that show some ways naturalists document the wonder in nature-( scientific illustration, paintings, nature journaling). The books are scattered around the exhibit where the guests can flip through while being surrounded by creatively displayed collection items.

If you are able to get to Pacific Grove, please check it out!

#wonderinnature #internationalnaturejournalingweek #gratitidefornature #drawingnature #naturejournalclub #naturejournals #naturejournal #sparkinnature #naturejournalingweek #naturesketch #natureconnection #naturejournaling

Last week I spent a few days in the mountains and

Last week I spent a few days in the mountains and enjoyed big beautiful skies. Because I was teaching there, I didn’t have as much time as I would have liked to journaling in the field. This week I’m revisiting my photos and my memory to fill some nature journal pages.

I’m often a bit hesitant to draw clouds because of an internal voice that is pretty critical. But I know that the more I practice the better it gets and the quieter that judging voice gets.

I also just want to capture the joy of the variety of clouds– not perfect paintings.

Here are a few ways I quiet that inner critic and get drawing!
1- Use Pen: I like using a pen, but it's kind of harsh to see the stark black lines when I see softness in the actual clouds. But this is one way to force it to NOT look realistic in my journal.

2- Draw small skyscapes: I start with making a series of small boxes to frame the skies. Prevents me from making them too big. They are smaller and manageable and low time commitment.

3- Just outline the clouds in pen with a loose contour drawing style– I’m not going for perfectly matched clouds–

4- Overhead: sky is darker blue (cobalt, or ultramarine) and fading to pale blue near horizon (manganese blue hue)

5- Clouds are NOT all white! I see shadow and shading– gray, lavender-gray. And at sunset/sunrise a rainbow of colors : Pink, magenta, coral, yellows, oranges and purples!

Invitation for you:
Go through your photos or take a few photos of the clouds in the sky.

Draw a few boxes and start drawing your clouds- with the intention to notice the variety- and have fun… This is not a lesson on drawing perfect clouds.

What's important is that you notice, and you capture the moment- rather than perfection. What does it make you feel? Do the clouds remind you of anything?

Let me know what you discover. What helps you loosen up? What helps you to quiet the inner critic?

#naturejournaling #natureconnection #naturesketch #naturejournalingweek #sparkinnature #naturejournal #naturejournals #naturejournalclub #drawingnature #naturesitspot #gratitidefornature #wonderinnature #mindfulinnature #calmingnature #mindfuldrawing #NatureForAll #clouds

Join me this Sunday to play with easy ways to add

Join me this Sunday to play with easy ways to add color to your journal!

Monterey Bay Nature Journal Club Online with Melinda Nakagawa
9:30am Pacific

If you've registered in the past, you should get an email with the link,
If you are new, Go to link in Bio

#naturejournalclub #naturejournals #naturejournal #sparkinnature #naturejournalingweek #naturesketch #natureconnection #naturejournaling

Day 4 International Nature journaling week- On my

Day 4 International Nature journaling week-

On my walk I was open to listening to the sounds around me. A new sound was a musical piece by the wind and the maples seeds!

My neighbor’s trident maple tree is loaded with fat clusters of winged maple seeds. When the wind blew through it make a lovely rustling sound that crescendo-ed (got louder) and softer before is stopped. There were perhaps 100 clusters in the trees rustling at slightly different times a so this beautiful symphony was music to my ears!!

This sound is ephemeral- temporary- a perfect coordination between that specific wind speed, the size and shape of the seed clusters — all of which changes day to day and through the season.

I look forward to listening to it again!

What sounds so you hear? Can you describe it in works or draw in pictures or color?

#wonderinnature #internationalnaturejournalingweek #gardenjournaling #drawingnature #naturejournalclub #naturejournals #naturejournal #sparkinnature #naturejournalingweek #naturesketch #naturejournaling #internationalnaturejournalingweek2023

Day 3- Aroma International nature journaling week

Day 3- Aroma
International nature journaling week

I took a walk around the yard to look for smells. I was surprised to find so many- I really enjoyed Corina Brdar’s session on Aroma today-

I decided to show the smells wafting from different parts of the plants. It made me wonder why a play would have smelly leaves but not flower and vice versa.

The more we play with smells the better we are able to discern the aromas and to describe them in our journals.

Corina reminded us that we sense smell when a chemical molecule enters out nose and interacts internally with us- making this an intimate sense.

I wondered about various smells and how my reactions to them vary. Why do I love one smell so much and another is neutral reaction? What is it about the delicious smell that makes me returning for more and more inhalations?

What did you find in your exploration with your nose?

Day 2- Texture International Nature Journaling we

Day 2- Texture
International Nature Journaling week

Took a forest wander focusing on touching textures. Delicate dry and crispy lichen, rough bark, papery bark, fuzzy hedge nettle leaves, sticky flowers and stems.

What textures do you see or feel I’m nature today?

#mindfuldrawing #wonderinnature #internationalnaturejournalingweek #gratitidefornature #naturedialogue #gardenjournaling #naturedialogue #gardenjournaling #drawingnature #naturejournalclub #naturejournals #naturejournal #sparkinnature #naturejournalingweek #naturesketch #natureconnection #naturejournaling #internationalnaturejournalingweek

Day 1 Color-International Nature journaling week

Day 1 Color-International Nature journaling week

Today I explored magnolia leaves. The other day I collected a few fallen leaves- and brought them home to take a closer look. It turns out to be just in time for A day of Color!

A loose contour drawing with watercolor- I didn’t get too fussy about it looking perfectly like the leaf- just wanted to focus on SEEING and ENJOYING all the subtle shades of color!

At first glacé it didn’t look like the tree has many colors- but I closer inspection there was so many!

Oh i just realized - I didn’t add and greens from the fresh leaves- only the fallen ones I picked up- so there actually more colors for a Magnolia palette!

Have you looked around today for color? Please share with us!
#NatureForAll #mindfuldrawing #wonderinnature #internationalnaturejournalingweek #drawingnature #naturejournalclub #naturejournals #naturejournal #sparkinnature #naturesketch #natureconnection #naturejournaling #internationalnaturejournalingweek2023

Do you ever get a thought that pops into your awar

Do you ever get a thought that pops into your awareness? Like a nudge to do something?

While teaching my Befriending Trees courses I kept seeing this tree in my mind’s eye- and I responded in thought “oh, I should stop by to visit that Magnolia”

Well, today Magnolia was done waiting for me.
After teaching a class nearby I kept getting, “get grounded with a tree”, “take nature time for you” and then almost in an insistent tone “visit the Magnolia”
Okay, okay.
When I arrived there was a super convenient parking space (of course). I spent time with Magnolia- a big beautiful old old tree.

The image I remembered was different from the real tree- has it been that long?

I stood in front of it, taking in the whole tree visually, I could feel my breath slowing and feeling calmer.
Then, standing and leaning with my back to the trunk I looked out to see it’s view of the world.

I took some steps away to look at the leaves- and at first glance I didn’t see many seed cones or flowers.

But as I spent time combing the branches with my eyes- I began to see more! Colorful leaves and seed pods!
I don’t think I’ve ever paid attention to when it flowers and lo and behold- there were huge flower buds.

I nature journaled at the park- but didn’t get time to finish-

What I DID get is a message -

“Take your time—let your eyes adjust to the initial busy distraction of all the leaves and you will soon spot what was previously unseen and hidden in plain sight. Pay loving attention and open up to the discovery”

How much of our world do we miss by rushing around mindlessly trying to finish our to-dos?

Have you ever gotten a thought to do something in nature? And did you follow through? What did you discover?

#mindfuldrawing #mindfulinnature #wonderinnature #gratitidefornature #naturedialogue #naturesitspot #drawingnature #naturejournalclub #naturejournals #naturejournal #sparkinnature #naturejournalingweek #naturejournalingweek #naturesketch #natureconnection #naturejournaling

I decided to go for a petal counting walk! There i

I decided to go for a petal counting walk! There is such variety in this neighborhood- and diversity of flower shapes!

Even if you don’t know the exact flower parts or name, you can still count petals. This develops your awareness and helpful in later identification.

Counting petals focuses our attention, and we develop awareness not only of flowers but of nature!

And, it’s fun to do- don’t worry about the names! The important part is enjoying seeing their colorful ans amazing little faces!

I could not journal on my walk this time- so came home with lots of photos- and did a sketch of each flower.

Try going for a walk and counting the petals on the flowers you see-

What do you notice? Is there a pattern between similar numbered petals? If you get curious, jot down you questions- would love to hear!

This was also the topic of our recent session for the Monterey Bay Nature Journal Club .

#mindfuldrawing #calmingnature #mindfulinnature #wonderinnature #internationalnaturejournalingweek #gratitidefornature #gardenjournaling #drawingnature #naturejournalclub #naturejournals #naturejournal #sparkinnature #naturejournalingweek #natureconnection #naturejournaling

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