Journaling With Nature

Kim is a teaching artist, visual interpreter and wilderness guide. Along with her partner Bjorn Olson, Kim has explored remote parts of the Alaskan wilderness by fatbike, packraft and sea kayak, through all types of weather and in every season. Kim keeps a detailed nature journal to document her adventures. Listen to hear more about: The Alaskan nature that Kim calls home. The equipment Kim and Bj...

For naturalist, writer and photographer, Kelly Brenner noticing details is a way of life. With the deep curiosity of a naturalist, Kelly has discovered some of the incredible natural diversity around her and documented this in her book Nature Obscura: A city's hidden natural world .   Listen to hear more about: The story behind the title of Kelly’s book Nature Obscura . The diversity of habitats t...

Tim is an artist from Alabama who has a strong connection with the history and stories held within the landscape around him. Through art, Tim pays respect to the landscape and the man-made structures within it, honouring the past and preserving this on canvas for the future. Last time I spoke with Tim on the podcast, half of the interview was lost through a technical fault. In this episode we revi...

Susanne has come to know her neighbourhood intimately, through the lens of her camera, during daily nature walks. As a nature photographer, Susanne captures moments of connection and stillness in the natural world, noticing details and sharing this beauty with others. Listen to hear more about: The power and significance of taking nature walks, throughout Susanne’s life. How Susanne started walkin...

Harshitha is the founder of Gida Living Colours. She creates paints with plants and soil, transforming the landscape into vibrant and consciously sourced art materials. Harshitha is a member of the Natural Colours Collective, a group of nature enthusiasts sharing knowledge of natural and sustainable art practices. Listen to hear more about: How Harshitha started Gida Living Colours. The ‘magic’ of...

Julie is a biologist, artist and founder of Life Science Studios. As a scientific illustrator, she helps biologists communicate their research by creating imagery that captures and conveys the essential elements of their work. Problem solving, communication and artistic expression are all part of Julie's creative process. Listen to hear more about: Julie’s early nature experiences. Types of scient...

Preethi is an artist living in Queens, New York. With an appreciation for all things woodland and whimsical, Preethi started Garden Slug Productions as a place to document her creative journey. Through all the uncertainty of recent times, she has come back to nature and art as a way to stay grounded. Listen to hear more about: Preethi’s formative nature experiences during her early life in England...

Rafa is a biologist, ornithologist and illustrator. He has concentrated his career on birds and worked extensively studying bird migration and conservation in the Strait of Gibraltar. Rafa is the founder of Diarios de Naturaleza, where he helps others tap into their curiosity and creativity through nature journaling. Listen to hear more about: Rafa’s connection to nature and art since his early li...

Lara is a scientist and natural history illustrator based in Milan, Italy. Lara uses her nature journal as a place to learn new things and grow as an artist and naturalist. As someone who enjoys change, Lara is connected with the seasons and the transformation that each new season brings. Listen to hear more about: How art therapy helped Lara reconnect with herself, art and nature. Lara’s project...

Verena is a wilderness educator and nature journal teacher helping others connect with nature in the city. She helps people come back to our essential wild nature, finding empathy and connection with all life around us. Verena shares her stories and insights on her podcast Wieder Wilder Werden. Listen to hear more about: What wildness means for Verena living in a big city. What nature looks like i...

Ginn is an artist who is inspired by nature. Much of her art is done en plein air, focusing on landscapes and skies. With a deep love for colour, Ginn knows the value of getting to know your paints by swatching, mixing and creating colour charts. Listen to hear more about: Ginn’s early foundations in art and nature. How Ginn chooses different subjects for her art. Her thoughts on the difference be...

Yvea is a botanist who has spent many years working in the field of restoration. Through her online workshop series, Plant Families in our Foods , she helped participants understand more about the plants we eat every day. Yvea is also the co-ordinator of the online nature journal gatherings "Pencil Miles and Chill". Listen to hear more about: How restoration became part of Yvea’s life and work. Th...

Miriam is a fire management specialist who promotes place-based fire education. Miriam uses nature journaling as a tool for tuning into the environment before, during and after fire. When we are aware of our environment in this deep way, we are better able to make decisions about fire awareness and management. Listen to hear more about: How nature was a refuge for Miriam during childhood. The stor...

Heather is a nature journal teacher with a unique focus. She uses literature and history as a way of connecting her students with the natural world. In her online classes, Heather explores the life and landscape of authors such as Beatrix Potter, James Herriot, Jane Austen and The Brontë Sisters. Listen to hear more about: Heather’s early nature experiences.  The benefits and challenges of coming...

Mike is an artist and podcaster with a passion for nature. He especially enjoys creating intricately detailed drawings using a simple 2B graphite pencil. In his podcast, Drawing Inspiration, Mike explores the world of art through his own experience and through interviews with a wide range of guests. Listen to hear more about: The special story of how Mike knew he wanted to be an artist at age 5. ...

Brenna is a permaculture illustrator who uses her art as a form of activism. Her work tackles big topics like politics, over consumption and the climate crisis, but always with a focus on positive solutions. Viewing her work will make you want to jump up and do something to make a positive change! Listen to hear more about: The inspiring story of how Brenna found permaculture. How illustrating the...

Jane is recognised as one of the art world's foremost authorities on colour and colour mixing. She teaches workshops on watercolour technique and has collaborated with Daniel Smith Artists’ Materials to create the Ultimate Mixing Palette. She even has a colour named after her - Jane's Grey! Listen to hear more about: How to understand pigment characteristics and use them to your benefit in a paint...

Ayoka is a visual trainer and information illustrator. She uses the tools and techniques of sketchnoting to simplify and communicate information. Combining sketchnoting with her gratitude practice, Ayoka has invented a new form of creative expression - GratiDoodling! Listen to hear more about: Ayoka’s early nature experiences, tagging along  in the field with her zoologist parents.  The amazing “c...

Kelly is a creative nature connection guide. Her work involves giving children and adults a variety of opportunities to connect with nature through creativity. Kelly has written many books on nature and art including her most recent book  Draw Yourself Back to Nature . Listen to hear more about: The influences in Kelly’s young life that shaped who she is today. The importance of independent outdoo...

Billie Jo is an outdoor educator with the Peel District School Board. Before the pandemic, Billie Jo was teaching in person at local field centres. Now she is bringing nature journaling to children of all age groups, inventing creative ways to connect students with nature through the virtual classroom. Listen to hear more about: Billie Jo’s early nature experiences. The winding road to how Billie...

Sabrina is an interpreter, educator, and makeup enthusiast. She uses makeup to explore the natural world, capturing the essence of plants and animals in her choice of colour, shape and detail. Listen to hear more about: How Sabrina came to environmental education and interpretation. The power of interpretation to bring environmental issues alive by relating them to people’s everyday lives. Sabrina...

Sarah is an artist from Wales who creates artwork celebrating ecology and connection. She shares stories of landscape, history, folklore and family. Sarah knows the value of being in quiet conversation with the natural world. Listen to hear more about: Sarah’s childhood growing up in a remote part of Wales. Specialising in printmaking at art school. The ability of words to connect us with history,...

Nature journaling is a deeply rewarding experience and can be adapted to suit each child's age and interest. If you would like to learn ways that you can nature journal with the children in your life, this episode is for you.  In today's solo show, I talk about how nature journaling with children looks different for different age groups. We will go into activities and techniques that can be used a...

Tim is an artist from Alabama who has a strong connection with the history and stories held within the landscape around him. Through art, Tim pays respect to the landscape and the man-made structures within it, honouring the past and preserving this on canvas for the future. Tim gives workshops on art and nature journaling and brings warmth and humour to his classes, encouraging and supporting his...

Paula is an Australian ecologist, artist, author and educator. Her work brings together her background in science and her love of art, connecting people with place, through nature journaling. For Paula, nature journaling encompasses the whole spectrum of experience - body, mind and heart. Listen to hear more about: How Paula’s studies in zoology and ecology laid the foundation for nature journalin...