Terri Mando is a retired Aerospace and IT Professional.
When she retired, she asked herself, “What’s next? What do I want to be when I grow up?” Which led to re-writing--once again--her current life chapter.
Always drawn to the outdoors, in retirement she found outdoor volunteering opportunities at the LA Arboretum, Theodore Payne Foundation, Eaton Canyon, Burbank Parks and Recreation, and elsewhere… She has been a volunteer at the LA Arboretum since 2011; and as a School Docent gave nature and history tours for 3rd-5th graders between 2012-2019.
In college in 1979,Terri took “Art for Non-Art Majors“ with Dr. Betty Edwards, the year she published Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. Although Terri pursued a technical career far removed from “art”, Dr. Edward's college class left a life-long lasting impression.
38 years after college, in 2018 Terri took some art classes and started nature drawing using the techniques she learned in college. In her “retirement art classes”, the experience of Dr. Edward's Right-brain drawing techniques re-surfaced.
Then by accident in 2019 she discovered John Muir Laws’ Nature Journaling and during the pandemic shutdown learned from his website, books and classes. Terri realized the "5 basic component skills of drawing" from Dr. Edwards "right-brain" drawing exercises could be used to look closely at nature and to help adults slow down busy minds to "see" and draw.
Unable to find local Nature Journaling Clubs, she started a club in 2020. Due to the pandemic shutdown, the club's growth stalled. The club held periodic meetups in 2021-2023. In 2024, she became a Wild Wonder Foundation Ambassador, John Muir Laws’ foundation.
Although an observational connection to nature is a greatly personal experience, Terri finds it far more interesting and fulfilling when shared with community, because we all learn from one another.
She participates in outreach events and meetups to share her enthusiasm of Nature Journaling with the community. She holds workshops to help people focus on drawing what they see. She facilitates monthly meetups at various locations; her goal is to get people outdoors, slow down, and notice nature to record their observations.
Terri's Nature Journal pages are here.
April 2024, Wild Wonder Foundation Ambassador
Terri Mando
- Retired Aerospace and IT professional. Technology consultant. Web designer/developer.
- Lifelong hiker, nature and outdoor enthusiast.
- Always learning, pursuing passions.
- Passionate about Nature Journaling and eager artist.
- Since 2011, a volunteer and Docent at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Garden.
- 2024 Outreach programs at Eaton Canyon's "A Day in Nature" and "Earth Day."
- 2024-2025 Outreach and Meetups at Stough Canyon Nature Center (Burbank Volunteer Program).
- Feb 2025. Presenter @ Sierra Club's Wilderness Travel Course.
- Cookie artist. https://www.instagram.com/bababakesart/
- Hobbies: Positive reinforcement Dog trainer, Canine Freestyle. Sewing/quilting. Scuba.
- Proud Grandmother.
- Linkedin profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terri-mando/
 |
| Eaton Canyon's "A Day in Nature" 2024. |