“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
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
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 75! We’re in the home stretch of 2018, and as the days of the year and the length of daylight dwindle here in the northern hemisphere, it can be tough to squeeze nature time into the daylight hours. So to help you fit some creative nature time into the day, I created
The new Nature Journal Prompt Cards for Children, Edition 2, are here!!!! These cards are seriously so cool I can hardly even believe it. The whole package (deck, box, pamphlet, print and paper quality, color saturation – everything) exceeded my own expectations, and I set high bars for myself! Each Deck Includes: 36 Prompt
Today, a respected colleague said how as teachers, it’s important to get students thinking about what they are doing rather than offering a “Just Add Water” experience. She said she appreciated how my approach to teaching was not “Just Add Water.” What a timely compliment in a world of quick fixes, sound bytes, and
Happy Wonder Wednesday 74! Do you find that the transition seasons (fall and spring) are chock full with outdoor events and entertainment? I sure do, only I’m usually hosting them rather than participating! I’ve met up with so many old and new friends over the past month at various events – and I’m continuously