Let's Paint Nature!
Hiking & Painting in Nature – Chicago
Category: Artwork
Time for Skunk Cabbage – Watercolor
Eastern skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is the earliest ephemeral spring wildflower to appear. Yes, this odd plant is a wildflower! And I found it while hiking just yesterday. Actually, I found tons of them! Skunk cabbage is a very unique plant. It generates its…
The Mute Colors of Winter – Watercolor
Immediately at the start of my hike, a single blue jay welcomes me with a loud reception. Smiling, I look ahead and notice something silver hanging from a branch…something out of place…something not of the woods… One silver ball. A simple gesture really, but…
Autumn Storm Approaching – Nature Journal Club
You can hear the wheels of photosynthesis grinding slower. With every breeze carries with it a handful of leaves. They swirl past my ears. Mr. Bee, would you like to visit the goldenrod resting peacefully on the edge of a quiet pond? Or in…
The Importance of Keeping a Nature Journal
On its own this particular journal page is not that significant. It’s a recording of my encounter with a cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) in my front yard. But when you look closer, taking the time to create this page not only caused me to…
A Polyphemus Came to My House One Day
One day when I least expected it, I had a visitor from nature. I was sitting on the floor of my porch when I looked over to the siding on the house and noticed a giant, juicy, green caterpillar. Upon closer inspection I discovered…
Let’s Paint a Simple Sloppy Sketch
When I speak with adults who want to paint but cannot seem to start there always seems to be the same reason why….. “It won’t look good.” Fear is a roadblock. Fear is also a liar. Fear is an active gremlin who convinces people…
Where Mossy Things Grow Watercolor
Deep in a dark moist forest, it lives where the mossy things grow. It needs rain… it needs time… a little bit of quiet… and a secret spot to sprout. Hiding in a crevasse, surrounded by lush green carpet, it tries not to call…
Amazing Jewelweed Watercolor
Jewelweed is one amazing plant for many reasons. First, its beauty. Jewelweed flowers look like little trumpets hanging under leaves. The one I found is pale jewelweed (Impatiens pallida), but you can also find orange jewelweed (I. capensis) which has a deeper, more vibrant…
Summer Insects Watercolor
Summer. A time to slow down…enjoy the weather. A time to place a thin blanket on the ground, sit, and have lunch on the grass not a table. Soak in those rays while you’re at it! Summer is also a time for insects. It’s…
Leisurely Bike Path Break Watercolor
I took my bike on a nice long ride. When riding, I become a child again. Downhills are my favorite, uphills not so much. The wind races through my hair and I feel rather bird like…soaring effortlessly. On this particular day, I packed a…
Daily Verse
- Psalm 138:2“I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame.”
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