A Path To Nature Journaling

through observation

Oct 09, 2022

Hi Friends, it has been awhile since my last post due to life events. If you are from Atlantic Canada you know all about the wrath of Hurricane Fiona that made landfall! So much damage to homes, shorelines, parks and wooded areas. Our power was restored after five days and internet followed five days later. We felt very fortunate as some people experienced a much longer wait for restoration of their power and internet services. So grateful for the power companies who helped get our province up and running again!

Okay on to today’s main post! Below I am sharing an archived post about nature journaling from an older blog, but one I feel worthy of revisiting. I hope you enjoy!

“Part of the lure of keeping a journal is the world you enter when you open it. Working in it sets up an island of quiet and deliberateness to which you will long to return.”
~Hannah Hinchman

*These were the type of drawings I began doing for a daily creative sketching ritual. All were sketched from life.*

In 2015 I was enrolled in a membership with Paul Foxton. We had mini challenges and our July challenge was to look really closely at a small botanical and simply sketch it very intentionally through direct observation. The goal was to quiet the mind, really observe what was in front of us and connect more deeply to nature. I loved the exercise so much I developed it into a creative ritual which also included a written reflection. I continued it pretty much daily for almost 1.5 years, posting each day to a Blog and Social Media which kept me accountable!

My goal was to experience the flow that occurs with a creative daily practice. I kept my drawing simple, but detailed if that makes sense. I recorded small details but omitted large amounts of shading; thus, keeping my sketches more attune to line drawings.

*Above are sketches from my current perpetual nature journal.*

I had no idea the impact this ritual would have on my work overall. Not only did my observations and drawing skills improve, I became inspired to delve deeper into the world of botanicals and the anatomy of plant life, specifically flowers.

Soooo all that background led to keeping a Nature Journal. On June 11th, 2020 I began keeping a Perpetual Journal after admiring and being inspired by Lara Gastinger’s gorgeous journal!

My perpetual journal is divided into double page spreads to take in a whole year. I add sketches each week and then return to the same pages on that date the following year and add more sketches. Thus, my journal will take a few years to completely fill up all the pages. I must say, it gets more exciting when you return the following year to find sketches already present on those pages!

Keeping a nature journal truly increases your powers of observation slowly and consistently. A side benefit is it is extremely meditative being in nature, which feeds the soul. The experience deepens over time and the wonderful fact is you will gain an even greater appreciation for the miracles of nature!

If there are any aspects about Nature Journaling you would like me to write about please don’t hesitate to ask in the comments below. Let me know if you are a nature journaler or are about to embark on the journey!

Happy Thanksgiving!

*Abundance in Autumn (Wild Apple) 5x7in with 8x10in White Mat, Oil on Arches Oil Paper, Available*

I would also like to take a moment to wish all my Canadian friends a Very Happy Thanksgiving Weekend! Wishing you special moments with family and friends!

I am grateful for my family and all of you here who take the time to read my musings. Thanks so much for being here!

Warmly,

Debbie xx

P.S. If you are not subscribed you an find the Subscribe button below.

To Preview more of my work please visit my companion Website. Works available for purchase at the link below. Thanks!