Western Pond Turtles

 Check out this article by Bay Nature Org, about Western Pond Turtles.

More information on iNaturalist.

"Seed containers": August 22, Thur, 9am till ~11:30am. Stough Canyon & Starlight Bowl, Burbank.

 Please sign-up on Eventbrite: 1. To learn specific meet location and further details. 2. So we know who to expect. 3. If we need to cancel (weather, etc.), you’ll receive a direct email.

August 22 @ 9:00am till ~11:30am.

We hope you will join us as we strengthen our art and curiosity of nature together!

Drawing prompt topic (optional): "Seed Containers" - Seedheads, Pods, Pinecones, Fruits and Vegetables. Observe patterns, structures, look closely.

Meet at 9:00am for introductions; share what we have been working on (~15 mins).

Drawing warmup (optional): Participate in drawing warm up exercises.

Terri was introduced to drawing in a college class by Betty Edwards, author of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. We’ll discuss and use drawing warm-up exercises related to Betty’s break down of the 5 skills of basic drawing.

Observe and journal: Use the drawing prompt topic--or sketch whatever you find interesting.

Gather and Share: Gathering again at 11:15am to share our sketches and observations and discuss tips and tools for nature journaling.

More discussions: If you have questions about supplies or other nature journaling questions, we can continue with a discussion at the end.

Suggested journaling supplies: sketchbook, pencils, waterproof markers, colored pencils, watercolor pencils, watercolors, etc.

Bring: Water, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, etc...

Although we plan to meet at picnic tables (tables may or may not end up in the shade), you may also want to bring something to sit on (small portable folding chair or sit pad) to move into the shade.

Restrooms? Yes, there are restrooms at this park.

Trees and Leaves: July 16, Tue, 9:45am till ~Noon. Stonehurst Park, Shadow Hills.

Please sign-up on Eventbrite: 1. To learn specific meet location and further details. 2. So we know who to expect. 3. If we need to cancel (weather, etc.), you’ll receive a direct email.

July 16 @ 9:45am till ~Noon.

We hope you will join us as we strengthen our art and curiosity of nature together!

Drawing prompt topic (optional): Trees (and Leaves) of Stonehurst Park

Meet at 9:45am for introductions; share what we have been working on (~15 mins).

Drawing warmup (optional): Participate in drawing warm up exercises.

Terri was introduced to drawing in a college class by Betty Edwards, author of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. We’ll discuss and use drawing warm-up exercises related to Betty’s break down of the 5 skills of basic drawing.

Observe and journal: Use the drawing prompt topic--or sketch whatever you find interesting.

Gather and Share: Gathering again at 11:30am to share our sketches and observations and discuss tips and tools for nature journaling.

More discussions: If you have questions about supplies or other nature journaling questions, we can continue with a discussion at the end.

Suggested journaling supplies: sketchbook, pencils, waterproof markers, colored pencils, watercolor pencils, watercolors, etc.

Bring: Water, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, etc...

Although we plan to meet at picnic tables (tables may or may not end up in the shade), you may also want to bring something to sit on (small portable folding chair or sit pad) to move into the shade or closer to tree(s) you wish to sketch.

Restrooms? Yes, there are restrooms in the old stone building at the park (close by) and over in the gym rec center (farther away).

If you would like to read more about the ~1930 Stonehurst Recreation Center stone building...

I found a great article about the history of the building. Definitely an interesting read.

The Art of Paying Attention

Ted Talk by Wendy MacNaughton

This talk starts out with audience doing a blind contour drawing.  One of the same exercises I really encourage at the start of every journal session as you learn to slow down your mind to SEE.

Wendy goes on to explain how SEEING can extend to connecting with people.

How to Start a Nature Journaling Practice?

Don't know where to start (to learn) to do nature journaling? Mental block? Time constraints? Perfectionism? Other reasons (excuses)?

Check out John Muir Laws' Blog Archives of How To Draw topics, as one place to find inspirational instruction.

The Challenge

1. Pick a category of something from nature that you would like to investigate further. (Example categories: birds, mammals, insects, plants/flowers, lizards, etc.).

2. Go to John Muir Laws' Blog Archives and find your topic or category. Review the list of instructional videos that can help inspire you. Watch it!

3. Spend time drawing. Nothing special, just draw! Don't judge yourself. *Don't need to show it to anyone, unless you want to. 

4. Optional: Go to Shadow Hills Nature Journal Club's Facebook public page  and *share! What did you learn? What did you notice? 

That's it. Get started. Draw. Share. Make an apt with yourself do it--again.  

Start with a once a week goal.

OPTIONAL CHALLENGE

1. Find someone to go do nature journaling with:  A friend. A family member. A Nature Journaling Club.
2. Set a date/time to GO OUTSIDE and observe. Record your observations (pictures optional).

Perfectionism is the enemy of completion or possibly even starting?

The MOST Important BEST FIRST Step--Get Outside and Observe!

I've been inspired to draw a series of birds after attending several  San Fernando Valley Audubon Society's "Bird Sit" meetups. 

My inspiration comes from getting outside to observe! I struggle to draw plein air, so instead I observe, listen, take notes. Return home and select one bird I observed, find a reference photo. Draw. Then do some research to learn more about the chosen subject--add the facts that interest me and a personal story-- to the journal page. 

This process is getting me past all my "excuses" to draw. Most important is the act of getting outside to observe. 

Special Thanks to all the enthusiastic kind people (especially Teri) that attend and share their drawing experience at the "Bird Sit."

More birds to come...

My first "Bird Sit" journal entry. Too intimidated to draw plein air. Took notes which inspired further investigation to draw birds from reference photos. As I build my own personal confidence, I will share gesture drawings and hope to build my experience doing plein air compositions.

Drawn plein air at O'Melveny Park, Granada Hills, CA. 

All the following drawn from reference photos. (Credit given in text on each journal page).

Path to Unlock the Artist Within - Visit us June 22, 204 at Eaton Canyon's "A Day in Nature"

Shadow Hills NJC will be at Eaton Canyon's "A Day in Nature."  

NO reservation required. Just show up to enjoy all the activities at Eaton Canyon. 

More information.

Our mantra is "All Ages Can Nature Journal." At this event, Shadow Hills NJC will focus on ways that Nature Journaling can be a "Path to Unlock the Artist Within". Process and steps developed and taught by Betty Edwards (author of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain and Drawing on the Artist Within: An Inspirational and Practical Guide to Increasing Your Creative Powers), her techniques are explored as possible ways to learn to observe and translate what you see into drawings, using nature journaling as practice to unlock your "artist within".