“We are experiencing sublime conditions of horror, you know?” ~Erica Moiah James, an assistant professor in the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Miami, founding director and chief curator of the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas. (citation) In light of the past week, this quote, and last month’s blog series
What did you think about Schopenhauer’s Sublime? Did it get you considering the nature encounters you’ve had that may have been frightening at the time? Did those encounters exude beauty despite the danger? Do fear inducing nature encounters seem more beautiful when observed through secondary experience – like on a film – or is it the primary experience that
Idyllic, picturesque, awe inspiring, sublime. The words running through my head as I gaze upon a pristine natural spring in the forest. Right up until I hear my sister-out-law say, “Y’all!!! I almost just stepped on a pygmy rattlesnake!!!!!” We snap out of, “yay! a weekend getaway at a beautiful spring cabin,” mode and into hyper responsible
Cosmos are one of my favorite summer flowers. They are so simple, yet so cheerful – and best of all – so easy to grow! And by easy I mean they really don’t care if I take care of them! Hooray for easy and prolific flowers! I got the idea for this activity from this
Summer officially begins June 21. Get ready for the solstice by boosting your summer reading lists with 5 nature inspired books and “Further Fun” ideas to go with each! Research shows that connecting with nature in person, and through nature reading, writing, and art making helps build empathy. This is such an important ability
Summer is on its way, and blue skies abound! So why not make a nature journaling project inspired by them? In all my years of loving all things cyan, I recently discovered the cyanometer. What in the world is that you ask? Great question! It’s a historic device that measures the blue of the
Floral and geometrics combine super powers in the turn-of-the-century art work of Stanisław Wyspiański. The turn of the 20th century that is! Self Portrait, (1869-1907) Today, the designers and trend forecasters call this blending of organics and geometrics “floral clash,” but this technique is anything but new. A quick search will reveal countless
Happy Earth Day Week! I hope everyone has gotten a couple chances to get outdoors and enjoy our big beautiful wonder filled natural world this week! And how about an opportunity to create the new Dandelion Delight nature art project? These often overlooked wildflowers are the early jewels of the spring season and worth
It’s spring garden time! Even in those places where snow may still be on the ground, gardening is in the forefront of people’s minds. Daffodils are popping up, loquat trees are fruiting, and the March winds are blowing in the April showers. April is a month of many things: Earth Day (4/22), National Poetry
Happy Wonder Wednesday! I hope everyone has been having a great time in this past week since the equinox. Whether you are entering spring or fall, it’s a time of transition to explore and enjoy. So what better way to celebrate the traditional March winds than with a kite! These little kites are easy