Journaling With Nature

Maja Aaby Pedersen, a multi-creative Danish artist in Sydney, shares her inspiring journey of nature journaling. She discusses her year-long project that deepened her connection to Australian nature while highlighting plant awareness and its importance amid climate challenges. Maja introduces her #shroomtember art challenge and how creative constraints can spark freedom in expression. The conversation also touches on zines and community engagement, emphasizing the joy of reconnecting with nature through a sustainable artistic lens.

Looking back at our old journals can show how our practice has developed and remind us of techniques we would like to use again. Sometimes we can even answer our own nature questions! For today’s prompt, we will revisit our past journal pages and see what they can teach us.I would love to hear about your experience looking back at old journals. Leave a comment below this post over on the Journaling With Nature website. -----------------Sign-up for Journaling With Nature's Newsletter to receive news and updates.You can support Journaling With Nature Podcast on Patreon. Your contribution is deeply appreciated. Thanks for listening!

Using her experiences in the natural world as inspiration, Naomi creates detailed fine art with the aim of connecting people with wildlife. She is passionate about using art to help support wildlife conservation projects around the world.Listen to hear more about:The beautiful landscapes and wildlife of Naomi’s nearby nature.The importance of the ocean for Naomi’s wellbeing and art practice.The steps involved in creating a realistic seascape.  Naomi’s painting space and artistic process.The importance of colour. Capturing the life of an animal subject through the eyes. The relationship between time spent in nature and a motivation to protect wildlife.Ways that artists can use their art to make a difference in the world. Naomi’s experiences participating in the International Tall Ships Race. The role that sketchbooks play in Naomi’s art practice.How play can inform our work. Find Naomi’s artwork on her website www.naomijenkinart.com and on Instagram @naomijenkinart. To find out more about the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation click here. -----------------Sign-up for Journaling With Nature's Newsletter to receive news and updates each month. You can support Journaling With Nature Podcast on Patreon. Your contribution is deeply appreciated.Thanks for listening!

Dive into the enchanting world of microseasons, inspired by the traditional Japanese calendar. Discover how to observe and appreciate the subtle shifts in nature that define your own region. The host reflects on their journey and the connections made with listeners, celebrating over 200,000 downloads. Engage with the beauty of small moments and share your own findings, fostering a community of nature enthusiasts. It's a heartfelt exploration of the magic that unfolds around us.

Mary Jo Hoffman is an artist and photographer known for her twelve-year project, STILL, where she shares daily nature photographs. In this conversation, she reflects on her childhood adventures in nature and how they inspire her creative work. She shares the balance between motherhood and creativity, discussing the joy of 'creative noticing.' Mary Jo introduces the idea of '72 Micro Seasons' to deepen our connection with nature. Her journey from aerospace engineering to photography highlights the interplay of math and art, showcasing the beauty in everyday life.

Bringing play into our nature journaling practice is an invitation to lean towards joy and freedom and away from perfectionism and self-criticism. Start your journaling sessions with play – embrace all of your silly, wonky, imperfect, life-filled lines and have fun!Over on the Journaling With Nature YouTube channel I have a playlist where you can follow along with different exercises to loosen up and play:Creative Play for Nature Journalers-----------------Sign-up for Journaling With Nature's Newsletter to receive news and updates.You can support Journaling With Nature Podcast on Patreon. Your contribution is deeply appreciated.Thanks for listening! 

Listen to hear more about:How Kaddi came to nature journaling.Kaddi’s ideal day in nature.How nature was a solace for Kaddi during a challenging time.The growing nature journaling community in Germany and other German speaking regions in Europe.The regular in-person and online nature journaling gatherings that are happening in Germany.The importance of giving supportive feedback.Starting a nature journal club in your area.Travelling nature journals.Nature journaling as meditation.Kaddi’s hopes and plans for nature journaling in the future.Follow Kaddi on Instagram @kaddikaracho and on YouTube @NatureJournalette.Some of the groups and workshops mentioned can be found here:https://wildniswind.de/Nature Journaling Deutschland websiteNature Journaling Deutschland group on FacebookGerman nature journal clubs mapWeekly online sessions of Nature Journaling and Tea and Nature Journaling and Coffee can be found on the website of Verena Hillgärtner: Wieder Wilder Werden.Wild Wonder Educators WorkshopWildniswind-----------------Sign-up for Journaling With Nature's Newsletter to receive news and updates each month.You can support Journaling With Nature Podcast on Patreon. Your contribution is deeply appreciated.Thanks for listening!

Today’s prompt comes from a challenge created by last week’s guest, Sofia Gazarian. Sofia’s idea was to draw or paint the same bird each month for a year. Through this process you will be able to watch your own progress as you develop your skills of drawing birds. You can control the variables by using the same time limit for your sketch, as well as using the same reference photo, materials and paper size. Give it a go if it sounds like a fun challenge to you!To find inspiration from Sofia’s One Year Bird page, visit her Instagram @printyourbird. If you post your own page on Instagram, use the hashtag #oneyearbird so Sofia can see your birds!Find royalty free bird photos:Unsplash - https://unsplash.com/Pixabay - https://pixabay.com/-----------------Sign-up for Journaling With Nature's Newsletter to receive news and updates. You can support Journaling With Nature Podcast on Patreon. Your contribution is deeply appreciated.Thanks for listening!

Sofia has a passion for birdwatching. While cultivating a daily sketching habit, Sofia has learned that you can find birds and make amazing discoveries even in the heart of a big city.Listen to hear more about:Making personal discoveries in nature. How Sofia went from selling vintage bird art to drawing and painting her own birds. The bird illustrators that inspire Sofia.How a birding challenge helped Sofia make many discoveries her local parks.Using a monocular for capturing bird photos on your phone.Tips for beginner birdwatchers.Keeping a bird journal.Drawing the same bird each month to track your artistic progress.The calming effect of drawing birds.Illustrators who have inspired Sofia’s drawing:John James AudubonGeorge EdwardsJohn and Elizabeth GouldOhara KosonDavid SibleyJohn Muir LawsDanny Gregory Felix ScheinbergerApps that Sofia uses while birdwatching:Merlin Bird IDBirdNETeBirdTo follow along with Sofia’s bird drawing journey find her on Instagram @printyourbird.-----------------Sign-up for Journaling With Nature's Newsletter to receive news and updates each month. You can support Journaling With Nature Podcast on Patreon. Your contribution is deeply appreciated.Thanks for listening!

Today we are exploring the corners of our environment, the neglected places that we do not normally visit. There are nature stories here too. Take some time to nature journal the things that you notice in a place that might have been overlooked for a while.While I was playing with my son in the garden, I came across a corner that we never usually visit. It made me think that there are neglected parts of our environment that also have stories to tell. This week I will be nature journaling in a corner of my space, and I invite you to do the same. If you do not have a garden, seek out a corner of your local park, or even a corner of your home. What do you find there? What nature stories are playing out in these neglected spaces?I would love to see what you find in your local environment. Leave a comment below this post on the Journaling With Nature website. I plan to create more videos over on YouTube. If you are interested to see these prompts as videos, head over there and subscribe to stay in touch. -----------------Sign-up for Journaling With Nature's Newsletter to receive news and updates.You can support Journaling With Nature Podcast on Patreon. Your contribution is deeply appreciated.Thanks for listening!