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Reflecting on nature journaling 2022, and looking

Reflecting on nature journaling 2022, and looking forward to new encounters!

Happy New Year! I know many are ready to move on and leave 2022 behind. But as we turn our calendars to January, I’m actually drawn to taking one more look at the previous year.

I've gone through my journals and enjoyed recalling all that I experienced. So much has happened, I wanted to take time to really soak it in and honor those times in nature.

You can read the blog post with highlights and journal prompts-- Link in Bio.

We’ve been nursing our 19 year old alpaca back t

We’ve been nursing our 19 year old alpaca back to health this week. We don’t know what happened, just that he’s got swelling in his face- a systemic allergic reaction to something.

It makes me worry that he might not be here much longer.

Instead of feelings of worry, fear, and sadness for him, I want to hold another energy— good positive healing energy.

I want to think of him returning to vibrant health.

So here’s what came to mind-

I went through my photos of him, which helped elicit joy- so many sweet photos!

Then, I did some contour drawings, remembering all his sweetness and cleverness.

It made me feel better and I’m sure he appreciates the uplifted energy I’m sending him as I take care of him.

Is there something you’d like to change your perspective or attitude about? Have you tried nature journaling to help shift?
Let me know what you discover!

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

Autumn is a great time to look skyward. Have you l

Autumn is a great time to look skyward. Have you looked up at the sky today? Perhaps you can sketch a tiny landscape in your Nature Journal.

What do you see in the morning?
How about at lunchtime?
Or just before sunset?

Even if you don’t have time to sketch the sky, you can stop for a moment and taking the beauty you could take a photo so that you can sketch it later.

And remember that they don’t have to be perfect paintings. Just a scribble to sketch to show the diversity.

This was a page that I returned to periodically to record different snapshots of the sky. It helped me to practice drawing clouds of different shapes.

Remember that the goal is not a pretty painting here but to stop and notice the sky.

Let me know what you see in your nearby nature!

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

Feeling restless or overloaded? Go out into nature

Feeling restless or overloaded? Go out into nature today for a few moments to restore you peace and centered-ness. Start with 5 minutes- and work your way up to more time.

What’s on the ground at your feet? Up in the sky or tree tops?
What colors do you see?
Are there any sounds in the distance?
What smells come into your nose when you take a deep breath? Inhale three times through your nose-
What textures can you feel- reach out to touch bark, moss, rocks, earth… it will help you to feel grounded.

If you have your journal, do contour drawings of what you see- a dead leaf, lichen, moss, mushrooms.

Does anything make you smile? Write down what it makes you feel…. Before and after your nature break.

Let us know what you experience! If you want more opportunities to feel a deeper restorative nature connection, you can work with me in nature online and inperson.

SparkinNature.com

Link in bio.

#NatureForAll #calmingnature #mindfulinnature #wonderinnature #gratitidefornature #naturesitspot #naturejournals #sparkinnature #naturesketch #natureconnection #naturejournaling #naturejournalclub

My neighbor’s Japanese maple tree looks like it’s on fire. She told her grandchildren a story that the tree swallowed all the colors of the sunset!

Look how many leaves it’s dropped in four days! As I watch the trees around shed their flags of red and gold, I reflect on what I want to shed too.

Is there anything in your life that you need to release?
An attitude? Perhaps letting is go for something more positive?

A commitment that no longer serves you?perhaps let it go to make room for more nourishing and joyful ones?

A relationship that is draining you- perhaps you can spend less time with them.

Something you’ve been consuming that you could release (on screens or as food).

Old limiting beliefs?
Old belongings that you’ve been waiting to lose weight or a need to arise? — let go and let it go to the next right person!

#mindfulinnature #wonderinnature #natureconnection #sparkinnature #lettinggo #shedtheold

We had a really good rain for the past two days. I

We had a really good rain for the past two days. I’ve missed the landscape cleansed of dust and sparkling with raindrops in the sunlight!

This is the season of amazing skies— look at these gorgeous cumulus clouds (shaped like puffy sheep)! I’ll be going out with my journal later—

Tell me— What’s happening in your skies today?

Do you have clouds too?

What color are they? What shapes do they remind you of?

#wonderinnature #gratitidefornature #sparkinnature #natureconnection #naturejournaling

I’m relishing the gorgeous skies that the autumn

I’m relishing the gorgeous skies that the autumn brings…. Big puffy clouds in the blue sky—

Gazing at the sky above- I can breathe deeply- and immediately feel a sense of calm. A reminder that there is so much wonder and beauty in the world— and to focus my attention on this moment more that the impossibly long todo list or rushing around….

The alpacas, new green grass and big blue skies- and looking forward to more rain to feed the earth..

Soleil (gray alpaca) just turned 19 years old! He’s our oldest and still the alpha of this herd- grateful that I get to enjoy theirs company.

What do you like about this time of year?
What do you notice in your sky today?
What are you grateful for today?

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

Recently I was interviewed at one of my free commu

Recently I was interviewed at one of my free community nature journaling sessions for an article in a local paper.

You can read post and MCWeekly article —link in bio.

It’s cool to get the message out— that nature journaling is more than drawing but connecting to nature!

I came to this point from sharing my love of nature journaling- one person at a time…

I invite you to do the same— who else can you share your personal experience with nature journaling? Can you take someone out to nature with you?

I spent a week at a retreat at the Buckeye Tree Lo

I spent a week at a retreat at the Buckeye Tree Lodge in Three Rivers, Ca, minutes from the entrance to Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks.

I’ve been in need of this deep nature time— to sit by the Kaweah River, soothed by its burbling, gurgling song…. Gazing up at a beautiful white-limbed sycamore beauty, thar stands guard by the lodge, giving myself permission to slow to nature pace, and wander.

In the evenings I stayed in one of the lovely cabins. The lodge is eco-conscious, sustainable- and offers a luxurious experience to be near to nature…

Filled with such gratitude, to be alive, to listen to nature’s whispers , to soak in and experience this life…

More to come about my week-long retreat into nature- River, Giant sequoias and mountains…

#NatureForAll #mindfuldrawing #calmingnature #mindfulinnature #wonderinnature #gratitidefornature #naturesitspot #drawingnature #naturejournalclub #naturejournals #naturejournal #sparkinnature #natureconnection #naturejournaling #buckeyetreelodge #atmaitri

Fiery and vibrant colors of poison oak ok my walk

Fiery and vibrant colors of poison oak ok my walk today- I love seeing these colors!!

It seems like almost every color of the rainbow except blue.

What’s changing colors in your nearby nature?
#NatureForAll #mindfulinnature #wonderinnature #gratitidefornature #naturesitspot #naturejournals #sparkinnature #natureconnection #naturejournaling

I've been leading a monthly Nature Journal Studio

I've been leading a monthly Nature Journal Studio at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for the past year..

This month we explored what seasonal changes we can recognize in local leaves and branches. It was so fun to see how everyone sees nature-- such diversity!

@Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

Join us next month or check my events page for more inperson and online nature journaling! #NatureForAll #mindfuldrawing #calmingnature #mindfulinnature #wonderinnature #drawingnature #naturejournalclub #naturejournals #naturejournal #sparkinnature #naturesketch #natureconnection #naturejournaling

Can't find the perfect ready-made nature journal??

Can't find the perfect ready-made nature journal??

I had that problem-- so I have been making my own custom hand made journals, make to my perfect page size, paper type, and cover!

Want help making your own too? Come get the skills you need to make customized journals for you-- and for gift giving!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bookbinding: make you own nature journal
Nov 4, 2022
10am-3pm
the Barnyard, Carmel. Ca
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All materials and tools are included, and instruction during the workshop. Go home with a beautiful 10x7 hard bound, open spine journal that lays flat. Mixed media paper is perfect for pencil, pen or watercolor!

register with link in Bio!

I love this time of year when the spiders webs tur

I love this time of year when the spiders webs turn into tiny strings of pearls in the morning dew. After I admired the orb webs, I walked slowly in the garden looking for more webs. I found a different kind on the hydrangea flower, then another one on the ground...

Have you stopped to look for spiders webs? Try tomorrow morning, nice and early. What can you find? If you have sunshine, its cool to see the webs sparkle at sunrise.

Let us know what you discover in your nearby nature!

On Friday, I lead a workshop/field trip for the Mo

On Friday, I lead a workshop/field trip for the Monterey Festival of Birds, hosted by the Bird School Project. It was called Better Birding with Nature Journaling and it was focused on simplifying the process of sketching and journaling process.

We had a in-class session to begin with, then visited Moss Landing beach to observe and nature journal outdoors.

The participants were excited to easy ways to record birds using simple sketches, describing what they saw with words-- including poetry!

We observed flocks of gulls and pelicans, cormorants on the jetty, black-bellied plover, terns, otters and seals...

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

Enjoying the setting Sun today, unplanned. I was b

Enjoying the setting Sun today, unplanned. I was busy in my busy, working mind.

…. My dog reminded me she needed a walk, so thank you Macy for taking me to the beach, as afar west as I can go to meet the see and take in the days final glow.

Take time today or tomorrow to stop and watch the Sun rise or set- see if you can perceive US rotating to change our view of the Sun.

#NatureForAll #calmingnature #mindfulinnature #wonderinnature #gratitidefornature #sparkinnature

Last week I led a nature journaling session at a l

Last week I led a nature journaling session at a local library. Eleven people shared a morning of exploring the native garden next to the library grounds.

I heard them say:
🍃they were here for “mom time” or “me time”.

🍃That they were intrigued by the idea of journaling nature and wanting to learn.

🍃That they needed a break from the hours behind a computer screen.

After contour drawing practice they explored the garden with solo time. 🪴

By the end, I heard them say
😀
“I never thought I could draw, but now I can!” As she was joyfully doing a contour drawing of lettuce.

☺️And that they felt refreshed, happy,

⭐️with new ideas on how they can easily journal with their children or students,
🍁that they never knew there was so much to see on a leaf!

☺️There was also a sense of community as we shared this experience together.

🙋🏻‍♀️Do you have a friend or neighbor that might want to go out nature journaling?

You can share what you know, and why you enjoy it. and tell them you’re growing your skills, and invite them along!

As you know— you don’t have to be an artist or naturalist or teacher.. just share your experience..

Let us know if you have shared nature journaling with others! Or if you’d like to start— We can talk about how!

🪴✍🏻🎨 join me online for our Monterey Bay nAture Journal club- And our Spark Circles comminity!
Sparkinnature.com/events

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

Blind contours to break into my journaling. I too

Blind contours to break into my journaling.

I took a wander to explore a new forest trail. I was enjoying the smells, and sounds and new sights when I pulled out my journal.

Strangely, I didn't feel like drawing anything I saw, because they seemed tedious with lots of tiny branches-- I wasn't interesting in too much detail to draw.

So I stood and looked around for something to catch my attention.

Then, I remembered my friend was talking about blind contours earlier in the day!

Yes! Let me just do some blind contours to warm into my journaling!

If you're ever feeling stuck, and you WANT to journal, try some blind contours! It will quite the inner critic while warming up your eye-brain-hand coordination!

I first filled the page with blind contour drawings, then added some color. I did all of this in about 15 minutes out in the forest.

Its a quick, low stress way to capture the feeling of the plant community at this time of year.
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How to do Blind Contours with continuous line:

✅ Look at your subject, a branch for example
✅ you will be looking at the branch and following the branch and leaves with your eye
✅ Place pen on paper 🖊
✅ You will draw, keeping the tip of pen on paper (one continuous line)
✅ without looking at your paper, draw WHAT YOU SEE
✅ No peeking on your drawing!
✅ Take your time, and remember,its not about the drawing. its about the process of seeing! 😃

Try varying the speed-- go slower, or faster, Add more or less detail.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Give this a try and Let me know what you think!

#mindfuldrawing #calmingnature #mindfulinnature #wonderinnature #gratitidefornature #drawingnature #naturejournalclub #naturejournals #naturejournal #sparkinnature #naturesketch #natureconnection #naturejournaling

Do you want to nature journal birds more easily an

Do you want to nature journal birds more easily and have fun doing it?

Do you want to expand your knowledge of birds?
Learn to quiet your inner critic and simplify nature journaling birds!

Join Spark your Bird Love - A Live online interactive course begins Sep 29.
Link in Bio for details and registration.
#naturejournals #naturejournal #sparkinnature #natureconnection #naturejournaling
#birds #drawingbirds

I really enjoyed Bethan Burtons class on Line for

I really enjoyed Bethan Burtons class on Line for Wild Winder- it was easy and playful way to approach drawing!

I use mostly fountain pen these days- so it was a treat to try something new.. it can be uncomfortable to try a new method or medium- but Bethan had the perfect way to calmly ease you in. It was accessible to anyone!

It was fun to try using the pencil in varying your line-

I’m going to experiment more with pencil! Thank you Bethan!!

#calmingnature #naturejournals #naturejournal #sparkinnature #naturejournaling #wildwonder Journaling With Nature

Nature Journaling Safari-- Elkhorn Slough. Otters,

Nature Journaling Safari-- Elkhorn Slough. Otters, seals, shorebirds and friends.

SO much fun in community with other nature journalers. We began with a workshop on how to nature journal marine animals, and landscapes.

I gave tips to help us remember that we are not here for illustration, but rather immersion in nature, observing, being curious, capturing the small wonders and joys in our heart and journals.

And we took a trip on the slough with the Elkhorn Slough Safari boat to practice.

Let me know if you want to save a seat at Elkhorn slough, Moss Landing, California for the next adventure with me!

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

See the post in Spark Circles community: https://community.sparkinnature.com/c/nature-journal-club/nature-journaling-safari-553986df-ae88-49d1-b4f2-5252c6190e34

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