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Happy autumn!! Yesterday was the Autumnal Equinox.

Happy autumn!! Yesterday was the Autumnal Equinox.

Nature has already been giving me signs that the season is shifting.

On my walks for the past week I’ve been seeing acorns on the ground. They are beautiful— plump nuggets of energy for the squirrels and birds.

I notice the colors were particularly eye-catching- and delicious. Greens turning to brown— I realized that this acorn in my hand will be this color temporarily because it turns brown with age.

Knowing that this moment will never come back again I was inspired to capture the discovery in my journal.

Recently we did an online workshop with colored pencils so I thought I’d practice my color mixing today!

If you’re interested in watching the recording of the color pencil class- stay tuned— I’ll have it on my class page!

What do you notice around you that signal a seasonal change? Do you have acorns or fall fruits or turning leaves?

Go out and explore. Let us know what you discover!

#naturegradient #gardenjournaling #naturesitspot #drawingnature #naturejournalclub #naturejournals #naturejournal #sparkinnature #naturejournalingweek #naturesketch #naturejournaling

Recently went for a walk at Elkhorn slough- a spec

Recently went for a walk at Elkhorn slough- a special trail through the oak grove—

I LOVE the coast live oak tree with their gorgeous sinuous limbs and multiple trunks rising out of the ground. The smells and sounds of nature bathed me- it was so peaceful and nourishing.

I’ll be leading a nature journal outing there in the coming months! Sign up for My newsletter to find out about upcoming events and nature journal inspiration!

Sparkinnature.com

Learn to hear what nature is saying to you- Join m

Learn to hear what nature is saying to you- Join me Tue 9/21 at 8:30am Pacific in the Energy Alchemy Studio Un-summit! I'll be leading a session on connecting with nature to spark imagination.
Free to Register here: https://www.jenirogers.com/energy-alchemy-studio-registration

Recordings available until 9/26
Link also in Bio.

Sometimes my journal page is a collection of the d

Sometimes my journal page is a collection of the day’s highlights.

A rainbow of cherry tomatoes, first fruit of potato bish plant (not an edible plant), some amazing clouds….

You don’t have to have a formal time to complete a page. Always noticing things throughout my day—

A nature journal practice hones your ability to see more of what’s around you. Even if you don’t journal it formally you still can capture it with your eyes, mind and heart.

What did you notice in nature today? Let me know .

#naturegradient #gardenjournaling #naturesitspot #drawingnature #naturejournalclub #naturejournals #naturejournal #sparkinnature #naturejournalingweek #naturesketch #naturejournaling #noticenature

Windblown trees- Have you ever noticed the bushes

Windblown trees- Have you ever noticed the bushes or trees that are shaped like this?

Trees give clues about the environment. You can see which direction the wind blows by noticing the growth patterns..

Have you noticed this in your nearby nature?

#drawingnature #naturejournal #sparkinnature #naturejournalingweek #naturesketch #naturejournals

#watchingnature Sometimes nature moves too much to

#watchingnature Sometimes nature moves too much to draw in the moment. So I sit back, soak it in, and feel the experience.

These puppies were so darn cute they made my Heart feel so warm as fuzzy!

How does it make you feel? Where is your body do you feel it?

These puppies are related to my border collie.

#sparkinnature
#watchingnature
#feelingnature
#puppylove

We had a fun colored pencil workshop with Jan Ruby

We had a fun colored pencil workshop with Jan Ruby-Crystal on Sunday. We learned a bunch of techniques and tips about using colored foe nature journaling.

If you attended, let me know what your highlight was!

I really liked the color triangle— so fun to use three pencils to get the color of the rainbow! 🌈

Some take-away messages -

🖍Keep it simple- take only a small handful of colors out for nature journaling

✏️Apply Light successive layers

✍🏻Try various mark making techniques to get Different effects

You don’t have to blend everything- let the eye 👁 see the color.

🌈Let the pencil marks show- they are unique to you!

🖍To dull down a color, use the opposite color on the Color triangle— tape this triangle into your journal as reference

If you missed it, you can watch the recording I’ll post later in the Spark in Nature online school.

If you previously registered for this you have access to the recording now until 9/19.

Stay tuned for more colored pencil and watercolor workshops with Jan and Melinda!

Check Spark in Nature website events page for more workshops and classes.

Get notified by signing up for newsletter at sparkinnature.com

#sparkinnature
#naturejournalingweek #naturejournal #drawingnature #coloredpencil

Here’s a 1-minute nature break. The sound of w

Here’s a 1-minute nature break.

The sound of water in nature, like this gentle stream, can have a relaxing effect.

Research studies show that nature sounds can have a positive effect on ones mood.

The next time you feel a hit stressed overwhelmed, try stepping out into nature ans listen fir sounds. Or indoors, create a a water feature- a fountain or fish tank.

If you don’t have any of those, watch this video — a short snapshot of a summer afternoon by the water.

Let me know if you take a nature break this week, and what you felt afterward! Small breaks throughout the day can make a busy day more manageable.

#naturejournalclub #sparkinnature #naturesitspot #natureconnection

Today these cluster of tomatoes caught my eye. A

Today these cluster of tomatoes caught my eye.

A gorgeous color gradient. Yeah, intellectually I know why it’s here: newer tomatoes near the tip are youngest and green, then as they age turning yellow, orange and red.

But this time I sat and soaked in the beauty… the natural rainbow of tomatoes.

So, have you seen any gorgeous color gradients in your nature??

Let me know- post a photo or your journal page!

#naturesitspot #drawingnature #naturejournalclub #naturejournals #naturejournal #sparkinnature #naturejournalingweek #naturesketch #naturejournaling #gardenjournaling #naturerainbow #naturegradient #NatureGradient

Recent in-person nature journal outing with member

Recent in-person nature journal outing with members of the Monterey Bay Nature Journal Club.

Spending a block of time immersed in nature to observe, notice, wonder, reflect and share was really relaxing.

Members said how it was a much needed respite from the busy world. And sharing what we each focused on was inspiring to all of us.

Have you gone out this week to just sit in nature?

I invite you to try it —Listen to the sounds, smell the scents, touch the textures, breathe in the fresh air and let the sun or breeze wash away any tension.

Notice how you feel before and after. Let me know what it’s like.

If you’re in the Monterey area, check my calendar for the next field trip on Sep 14

Sparkinnature.com/events

#naturesitspot #drawingnature #naturejournalclub #naturejournals #naturejournal #sparkinnature #naturejournalingweek #naturesketch #naturejournaling #gardenjournal

As trees age and grow they have a couple strategie

As trees age and grow they have a couple strategies in expanding the bark layer- developing cracks or peeling.

This Madrone tree uses the peeling method. I see this all the time but this time it made me wonder if it peels continuously or only at particular times.

It seemed the entire tree was shedding at the same time- a thin outer bark that mostly separated from the inner bark and barely hanging on.

In fact, the light flaky bark fell off in chips when I touched it. The inner side of the flaky bark (side that is touching the inner bark) was WHITE while the rest was a RUSSET — it seems like the bark gets darker with age?

Have you noticed if the bark in your nearby trees peel or split?

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

Did you guess our close-up mystery? This close u

Did you guess our close-up mystery?

This close up is from the Giant Kelp-a type of brown algae that’s common in Monterey Bay.

I was noticing the blades washed up on the beach and mesmerized by the patterns.

Take a second look at the fallen leaves in your nearby nature. Is there something special that you can see?? Please share with us!

#naturesitspot #drawingnature #naturejournalclub #naturejournals #naturejournal #sparkinnature #naturesketch #naturejournaling

Another journal page inspired by the topic “Leav

Another journal page inspired by the topic “Leaves”.

When I decided to take Macy for a walk on the beach I thought to myself- “there won’t be any leaves there… maybe seaweed then”.

It’s the ocean equivalent to leaves and I certainly found quite a bit of seaweed- mostly Giant kelp.

I did however find three tree leaves washed up in the surf.

If you get a chance to visit the ocean, river or other body of water, what leaves can you find around?

#naturesitspot #drawingnature #naturejournalclub #naturejournals #naturejournal #sparkinnature #naturejournalingweek #naturesketch #naturejournaling #leaves

Guess what this piece of nature is?? #sparkinnat

Guess what this piece of nature is??

#sparkinnature #drawingnature #naturejournals #naturejournal #naturejournalclub #naturejournalingweek #naturejournaling

Here are my pages from a session online with John

Here are my pages from a session online with John Muir Laws and guest Tiki, a blue and green macaw.

We practiced doing quick sketches of Macaw parrot heads. This is the second time I’ve drawn macaws, and surprised myself with how this has turned out.

A year ago I tried to draw a macaw— and did not look so good.

I attribute today’s pleasing page to my daily practice of drawing what I SEE and giving myself permission to be messy every time.

Remember that drawing is a SKILL- and that improves over time.

I invite you to keep practicing your pencil miles — not with the goal to draw better, with the goal to train yourself to see nature deeply. Then, one day, you will be pleasantly surprised that your drawing has improved as a side effect of your practice!

Give yourself permission to be messy.

#naturesitspot #drawingnature #naturejournalclub #naturejournals #naturejournal #sparkinnature #naturejournalingweek #naturesketch #naturejournaling #drawingbirds

Nature has amazing colors in summer blooms. I took

Nature has amazing colors in summer blooms. I took my mom to wander through a local plant nursery- a past time we enjoy together. My mom lives alone and doesn’t drive so it was a special treat for her.

It filled me with joy to let my eyes feast on the colors, textures, shapes…. I even brought a few plants home- (thanks Mom!)

Oh! And I was able to identify a couple of plants that I’ve seen out in the neighborhood that I journaled yet could not identify!

If you don’t have a garden yourself you can visit a garden center or nursery! This one allowed dogs on leash so Macy could join me.

Yamagami Nursery in Cupertino California .

A recent trip to the Forest of Nisene Marks State

A recent trip to the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. I love wandering on the trails through the redwood forest and exploring the creek. This time I focused I’m on the ferns and colors by the water.

Then I noticed one spot on the trail where these redwood trees towered above me, and the ROOTS that were exposed had a layer of bark!

I know the drawing may not show it exactly— but the purpose of this page is to record my surprise ans document what I noticed, and tap into my curiosity. Each time I look at this page, I’m brought back to that moment in the forest.

I never know what nature will show me on a given day— I just try to stay open, curious and have an attitude of beginners mind.

What have you found in your nearby nature? Would you share with us? We learn so much from everyone’s sharings.

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

Leaves in the garden! A walk through my neighbor’s garden revealed a great diversity of shapes, colors, leaf arrangements.

What kind of leaves do you find?

Inspired by the 8/15 LeafQuest session from Monterey Bay Nature Journal Club online.

You can join us for future online sessions-

http://sparkinnature.com/events/

check Event calendar in bio.

If you missed this session you can get this LeafQuest class here: https://spark-in-nature.teachable.com/

#drawingnature #naturejournalclub #naturejournals #naturejournal #sparkinnature #naturejournalingweek #naturesketch #naturejournaling #leaves

One minute forest nature break! Did you know time

One minute forest nature break!
Did you know time in nature has been shown to reduce your feelings of stress, improve mood, increase concentration and memory, and more?

Especially when that nature includes water. So if you can’t get outside- here is a quick nature break.

But do try to give yourself some time with nature today.

On this day after I shot this video I sat in the creek on a boulder taking in the soothing sound of the tricking water. Just allowing myself to listen to the forest, smell the scents, feel the cool shade and touch the moss. A dose of nature time to balance the “doing”ness.

From the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, Aptos CA.
#naturesitspot #drawingnature #naturejournals #sparkinnature #naturejournalingweek #naturesketch

Sunday’s session: Leaf Quest! Here is my page -

Sunday’s session: Leaf Quest! Here is my page - it was fun to explore the diversity of leaves outside and inside!

We introduces some basic leaf shapes and arrangements to get you started with your leaf quest.

What can you find in your nearby nature?

**Recording available now to view until 8/22/21**

Meeting Recording:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/s00Yv8lsVmcHCG8zK-Zfk7LfxM25h0xZhjBAKRHMuunaFm8UEcXFoU5_HJClQ1E3.jLwm-iNi6sCAawb0

Afterwards it will be available as a class at https://spark-in-nature.teachable.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
#drawingnature #naturejournalclub #naturejournals #sparkinnature #naturejournalingweek #naturejournal #naturesketch #naturejournaling #leaves

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