Clouds, snow, and Valentine crafts
The first series of classes this winter session has gone by in a flurry! The snow and ideas have been swirling. It’s so funny, today a student of mine and I discovered that we had both taken a picture of the amazing clouds the other morning. She said she went right outside in the cold in her bare feet to capture it! We artists and nature observers have an eye for the beautiful and fleeting displays of Mother Nature and we know we have to grab photos of them before they disappear! Clouds are a great thing to sketch or paint in your nature journal, and they move so fast you really have to let go of capturing them exactly as they are. They, like everything around us, are always changing and shifting. I have had several students write and draw about clouds in my nature journaling class these past few weeks, and I have loved their descriptions and sketches - one of my students described clouds one morning as “clumpy” (what a great word!). How can you document the clouds you see? Perhaps clouds or sky can become the basis of a nature inspired painting or drawing. Sometimes just the movement or the shapes we see in nature can be wonderful sparks for our artistic imaginations.
I have really enjoyed watching some of my new students discover the wonders of everyday natural objects that we may walk by without a second thought. Everything changes when we stop to look…And listen, and feel, and smell, and sometimes even taste! I had brought in some pieces of old bark and fallen branches for class and I love seeing students light up as they discover the intricacies and stories that each natural object holds within it. Observing is the first step, and then documenting the object through sketching or words aids in the discovery process and can be so satisfying! We have all been delighting in the textures and shapes of these beautiful winter objects such as dried flower seed heads and dried grasses that have gone to seed. The swirling shapes are so inspirational, showcasing the beauty at hand all around us. These shapes and textures can be great for art inspiration, or even just great for helping us to slow down, breathe, smile, and enjoy the present moment among friends. There is something about sharing our nature discoveries and drawings with one another that creates a lovely sense of community and appreciation for each other as well as nature’s inherent beauty.
In my watercolor class, there is a lot of interest in birds. We are exploring painting birds with different texture and wash techniques that we have learned so far. It’s fun to paint “blob” animals sometimes. In watercolor, a blob can become almost anything! Really!! Our eye is so ready to read it and make the leap. Watercolor can be very impressionistic, suggesting shadows and shapes with just a few dabs of color. We have painted fluffy baby chicks and will be exploring all types of birds in the next session.
Yes, Valentine’s Day is almost upon us, and so it’s time for a Valentine craft of course! I really enjoyed a craft the staff of the senior center created the other day, folding up a heart shaped doily into a little envelope and nestling a chocolate inside. Such fun! So, I will be leading a craft in making a heart out of wine corks. This is a nice way to recycle the corks and create a fun display piece. It’s amazing what you can do with a little hot glue and some everyday objects!
What I’m reading: Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Re-reading this excellent, groundbreaking book.
What I’m listening to: Fangless by Sleater-Kinney
A great song for working out. I got a second wind while running and listening to this one today!
What I’m watching: Yoga with Adriene - Prana Day 8 (meditation)
Prioritizing health and wellness! Adriene did a 7 day yoga series this year instead of her typical 30 days of yoga, and day 8 was a bonus meditation. Props to Adriene for mixing it up!
