Nature Journaling ….Not Just for Artists
A page from one of instructor Susie Kowalik’s journals.
by Paula Blair Dabbs, Volunteer, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
A page from author Paula Dabb’s nature journal on Peonies.
I signed up for the Nature Journaling class at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden because I love to draw and I thought it would complement my classes in Botanical Illustration, also offered at the garden. But as I learned from instructor Susie Kowalik, Nature Journaling is rewarding for anyone; whether you like to write, record, draw, doodle, or just spend time outdoors observing the natural world. This course is a half-day workshop where you can learn to draw from nature in a way that’s fun and portable.
My classmates included writers who wanted to add small sketches to their notebooks, as well as artists who hastily added notes to their detailed drawings. What we all had in common by the end of the class was a deeper appreciation of the Garden that came from taking the time to stop, observe, and record our environment.
Kowalik has been teaching at Lewis Ginter for 6 years and doesn’t mind sharing her own personal journals with the class.
“Journaling this way uses both words and images to notice what you have seen; to truly look at it and find out why it drew your attention in the first place,” she says.
Nature journal entry by teacher Susie Kowalik
Each student is provided with a journal, the perfect pen for journaling, and leaves the class with several completed pages in their journal. For those who say, but I haven’t drawn since 5th grade, or I can’t draw a straight line, Susie also offers a class called “How to Draw Stuff in the Garden” who want to sharpen their skills before advancing. “How to Draw Stuff (in the Garden)” is a class as unstuffy as it title. Kowalik says, “I’ve had so many ask me, ‘are you sure it’s drawing for a real beginner?’ Yes, it is.” It’s not uncommon for students to leave this class amazed by their new-found or rediscovered skills in art.
Nature Journaling is Saturday, September 29, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
How to Draw Stuff (in the Garden) is 3 Saturdays, 9 am-12:30 pm, September 8, 15, 22 (NOTE: This class typically “sells out” so register early.
For more information on classes at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, please visit our complete class course guide.