My journey into nature journaling really began when I finally listened to the voice inside that whispered “I want to draw and paint”. I now realize that voice has been with me through out my life.
Little seeds were planted in me along the way … a gift of a paint set from my grandmother when I was 5 or 6 - I remember opening it in wonder, but I don’t remember playing with it - maybe I was told not to make a mess, or maybe I thought it was too precious to use. I have vivid memories of the annual hand drawn Christmas card , sent from a distant Aunt. I would study the ink line image in awe, amazed that someone I was related to, could do such a thing. The third seed I recall, as evidence of this inner voice being ever present, is the deep reaction I would have, whenever I came upon someone standing outdoors, at an easel, painting. Without conscious thought, I always said aloud “I would love to be one of those people someday”. But, with nothing or no one around me saying ‘you can do this,’ I did not.
“Trust my Nudges” - The Universe
Looking back, its so easy to see how these clear memories reflected my soul speaking ~loud and clear …my inner voice was trying to get me to listen. But, as is common for many of us “late bloomers”, it took me until my mid 50’s before my responsibilities, my life experience, and opportunity aligned to a point that, when I became aware of this thing called ‘“nature journaling” in sketchbooks… a spark ignited.
“When the path reveals itself, follow it” - Cheryl Strayed
Once the door opened to this amazing world of nature journaling, I felt like Dorothy must have felt , in the Wizard of OZ, when her house landed and she opened the door to the colorful, fantasy that was Munchkin land. This practice has changed me and my life to such an extent that I cannot really remember who I was before.
And, this, I know for sure, is the feeling of pure alignment with my soul’s desire to create and become more connected to the natural world.
“When you do things from your soul, you feel a river running through you, a joy” - Rumi
I began learning with countless online classes and then taking in person classes whenever I could. I was like a sponge. Then, I began to combine my desire to travel, with destination classes. Every encounter and experience nature journaling, near or far, whether sketching the birds in my own back yard, or sitting at sunset in a vineyard in Tuscany…has fed my soul and enriched my life. In addition to my responses in nature, my pages can record my experience of world events or personal events, in need processing. If not for this passion, I would never have had the chance to meet and become friends with so many other artists, teachers, and special people, who share their gifts and time, so generously, in this community, this Tribe. I belong.
“Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire” - Jennifer Lee
Now I’ve been at this about 8 years…I still sometimes have to deal with the monkey mind that says you aren’t good enough - you are not an artist, or, you aren’t legitimately a nature journaler, because your work doesn’t fit in a certain mold. My pages are sometimes pretty, sometimes not, sometimes inspired, sometimes a mess, sometimes more spiritual with quotes or poems, sometimes more factual, sometimes from real life, sometimes from photos. They are sometimes planned, sometimes spontaneous. Some have glued on bits of this or that… all of them are important to me. I am learning to love them all , enriched by the deep memories rooted in me, by the “doing” of these pages.
For me, the reward is not about the end result, as much as it is about the life experience imbedded in that page. It’s about the meditation that comes with total focus.
I hope, if you are just beginning to hear the call to do what you feel drawn to do, whatever it is, that you will take a leap of faith and jump in, with all your heart - to connect more deeply with our fascinating, natural world, and with your own soul.
“When we awaken to the beauty of nature, the doors to our true self are opened wide, for divine healing on all levels” - Robyn Nola
I am so grateful to everyone who has shared a quiet moment or two, sketching with me, feeling the grace and joy that nature journaling brings.
“ I go into nature to be soothed and healed and to have my senses put in order” -John Burroughs
Sketchbook in hand…I will see you “out there” … Karen
My Top Tips:
1. I always begin a new sketchbook with a quote, or poem, that is meaningful to me at that time. I feel it breaks the ice of that first page, and also imbues the book with a deeper awareness. The deeper the connection the more rewarding the experience.
2. My go to mantra is “it’s just paper” and I call upon it whenever the ebee jeebies of self doubt creep in - it does the trick to ground me and get me focused on the moment at hand.
3. There is no need to define my style, or limit myself with a label of some sort…I am a complex, multi dimensional creature, so anything that I create from connection with my authentic self is worthwhile and valuable…to me.
4. Creative energy is cyclical, not constant. Expect to feel it ebb and flow, honor that flow, and trust that it will always return. ( i.e. Don’t stress if you can’t produce something everyday)
5. Use all your senses, trust your intuition. It is through attention that I can see the magic and beauty of ordinary things. It doesn’t always have to be about the big, “wow” moments.
“Let’s take our hearts for a walk in the woods and listen to the magic whispers of old trees”-Unknown
6. Perfection is uninteresting and unattainable anyway… I seek authenticity in connection, not perfection. “I strive for imperfection” -Gay Kreager
7. Be fully present. "We only have this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand - and melting like a snowflake” - Sir Frances Bacon
8 . Keep it fresh. Listen to your voice, as it calls you to evolve. Currently loving: continuous line drawing practice and the wisdom of poet, Victoria Erikson.
My favorite book on creativity: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
My Influencers: (kind of in order of when I discovered them) Danny Gregory and everyone at Sketchbook Skool, Gay Kraeger, Cathy Johnson, Val Web, Jan Blencowe, Jane LaFazio, Leslie Fehling, John Muir Laws, everyone at Wild Wonder and the Nature Journal Club, Jean Mackay, Kristin Meuser, Julia Bausenhardt, S. Dion Baker, Jules Woolford and Bethan Burton, of course…and SOOOO many more!!!
Social media
Pinterest boards: Karen Colson — Sketchbooks!, Soul Food, How to: -watercolor tutorials
IG @karenjcolson – I don’t post, but I follow lots of inspirational creatives.
Facebook I post within a few FB groups - i.e. The Nature Journal Club, and private class groups.