Taking the time to sketch, paint and write in your journal is a path to connect deeply to nature and beyond to your own inner nature. This year we will focus on water, as well as the flora and fauna found along the Eel River. You will develop the skills to quickly and accurately record your day in nature through sketching, painting and writing.
During our morning workshops we will take short walks to various locations along the river where we will study the magic of water and surroundings by opening to all our senses, and recording them through sketching, painting, and writing.
In the afternoons we will dive further into the process of capturing our experience on the pages of our journals and finding time to swim in the river and explore the trails and gardens of Emandal. Later we will share soiree style with other campers.
You will learn to mix a full range of nuanced colors with just 8 pigments, and I will give you hands-on materials that will give you confidence in exploring these natural wonders. We will share our work as we go, learning from each other, and weaving this into our journals.
1) a hat
2) sunscreen
3) a timepiece
4) a light-weight 3-legged stool (REI has these for about $20) or small foam pad for sittingclose-up binoculars (Pentax Papilio 8.5 X 21or magnifying glass available at www.johnmuirlaws.com)
5) a messenger style over the shoulder bag to carry and access your kit easily (also available at www.johnmuirlaws.com)
6) and most of all a sense of wonder!
Required Supply Fee: $55
Required Nature Journal Kit. I have developed a compact watercolor nature journaling kit including a journal, palette with 8 pigments, a waterbrush and other tools that you can easily take with you wherever you go. No substitutions please as we will all be using the same materials. If you have taken a workshop with Kristin before, you may bring your own kit. Please bring cash or a check (payable to Kristin Meuser) with you to Emandal.
Workshop Reviews
“Kristin’s Nature Journaling class was my first art class and I was feeling nervous and intimidated about even signing up. Kristin was very accepting of whatever we did and so non-judgmental- my fears never materialized. She gave us specific, manageable techniques and there was no pressure from her.There was time to relax and enjoy the river or hike or nap (or work on our drawings/journals)…I took the same ArtStays Class from her a second year and it was just as worthwhile and wonderful as the first time. Emandal is the perfect setting to try new things- a beautiful, relaxed kind of place with a community-feeling and lots of sharing with all of the ArtStays classes.” – Linda Owens
“I thoroughly enjoyed Kristin’s workshop on watercolor nature journaling. Kristin’s thoughtful approach for the daily lessons were perfect for both beginner or accomplished artist. She combined both technical instruction that was easy to understand, with a love of nature that is infectious to all who were present! The workshop was infused with the spirit of creativity as well as the sweetness of learning to be being fully present to observe the world we live in. She made the demonstrations on technique fun and easy to understand with room for our own contemplation and time alone experimenting with what we have learned.” – Cindy Wood
“I loved Kristin Meuser’s Nature Journaling class because: Being outside in nature is one of my favorite things, but when I combine it with making art, I am suddenly weighed down with STUFF. Kristin has devised a small, neat package of the basics, and shows you how to use it so you are not distracted by juggling. Her lessons are specific and simple; you learn how to see differently, capture colors and essences quickly and succinctly. The students in the class are from all kinds of artistic backgrounds, from beginners to accomplished artists–but we were all newbies to Kristin’s technique, and that was a great equalizer! Also, she will be your biggest cheerleader; her constructive criticism is gentle and encouraging. Being part of the Art Stay community is wonderfully supportive, stimulating, inspiring and FUN! And what could be better than to have your own fabulous chef and friendly staff to support you in your creative work? If you’ve never been to Emandal, words are inadequate; if you have, words are unnecessary. Take the leap! Come to Art Stay!” – Dale Wiley
About the Instructor
Kristin has been painting the land in various mediums for over 35 years. Several years ago her love of nature lead her to the Sierra Nevada Field Campus where she studied nature journaling with Jack Laws, watercolor with Andie Thrams and writing with Sarah Rabkin. Her career as a graphic designer gives her journal pages a sense of structured variety and a delightfully cohesive overall effect. She has been teaching watercolor nature journaling for the past 5 years privately and at art and retreat centers in California. Her work is found in private collections; it has been shown regionally, and has been represented by the Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite. For more information, visit: www.naturemeuse.com.
About the Instructor