Hi all...I've wanted to start this new blog, by and for people who sketch or paint in nature, working on the spot and doing field studies, botanicals, quick gesture sketches, or careful renderings, for a long time. Finally jumped in today!
I've believed for years that one of the best healers, one of the best teachers, is nature--and creativity. We learn so much, and take a little break from the everyday world and its problems and stresses. We slow down, we pay attention, we learn to care about what we're drawing and see it in a whole new way.
I've invited a group of artists whose work fits that basic concept to be a part of this blog; I plan to invite more as time goes by, rather like the Urban Sketchers blog but with the focus on nature.
I hope the artists I've invited enjoy sharing what they've discovered in nature, and that our readers do, too...
Cathy, this is a great idea. I spent time at the doctor's office sketching a tree in the office to keep my mind off of what was going on. It really helped me through it. :) Fran (http://artsyfran.com)
ReplyDeleteI know it does, Fran! And thank you so much...I think it will be really interesting. I love to see others' work and what they have to say about it--I'm so enjoying being a part of Urban Sketchers, but I'm a nature girl, too.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting to be part of a collaboration of nature sketchers from around the world! I believe these turbulent times are good reason to rediscover our connections to the natural world. Like Fran using her art to center herself at the dentist’s office, maybe we can all find a little more hope and healing as we explore. And as Kate mentioned, drawing nature is a wonderful teacher; we slow down, learn to pay attention, and the world is new.
ReplyDeleteDelighted to have you with us, Elizabeth! Can't wait to see your additions to the blog...
ReplyDeleteThis is a welcomed surprise from a well known friend. Kate you are the best I can think of to lead this group to great heights. Looking forward to working with other correspondents and other artists developing friendships. Nature is where I spend most of my time.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rick! I'm so pleased you could join us...
ReplyDeleteHi Cathy...
ReplyDeleteMy name is Tracie Lyn Huskamp... I am also a nature artist, teaching workshops on painting nature subjects. It wasn’t until I signed-up for an open-air painting class in the summer of my sophomore year of art school that I discovered this unending source of inspiration. In the past, I had never been much of a fan of the outdoors. I didn’t like camping, bugs, or any sort of inclement weather. So I have to laugh when I think back, wondering how I even convinced myself to register for the course in the first place. But from the very first day of plein-air painting, I was completely mesmerized. This was the first opportunity I had really ever taken to spend any time actually studying the amazing beauty of nature. And in the quiet moments of those class periods with only the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves and grasses, along with the birds singing overhead, I felt part of the world as a whole. I had finally found a subject I wanted to explore over and over. Nature had captured my full attention, and I wanted to share my discovery, my joy,
and my enthusiasm with anyone and everyone.
I invite you to visit my blog and I have a new book coming out in September 2009 called Nature Inspired by Rockport Quarry
Hi Tracie! I'm glad you're enjoying the blog, and CONGRATULATIONS on the book! How wonderful! Your blog looks interesting, thank you for the invitation.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Kate! Looks like it will be fantastic...already so many pages to read and drool over.
ReplyDelete