After a decade of teaching high school art classes, I took a sabbatical year in 2006 to travel around the world for six months. Just using pencil, watercolors, and ink pens I made a series of 12 sketchbooks. They ended up being in various styles, some with more words, some with less, a few embellished with glued in ephemera. There are no strict rules for making a journal, after all. You own it!

I find delight in this slowed-down, attentive travel as well as the joy of creating a record of my experiences. During the first Covid summer I made a daily journal of the view of a mountain from my home, which ended up documenting the clouds and smokey skies of fire season. All around us are chances to see, to journal, to notice, and deeply experience our environments.

This is an invitation to join me to explore the beautiful Emandal farm. My tools are basic and easy to transport:

• Supplies needed for this workshop include most importantly a sketchbook. I have made many of them in various sizes. If you have a preference, it will be YOUR journal, so choose what you want to bring. My go to is the Pentalic Aqua Journal.

  Sketchbook-

  #1 Pentalic Aqua Journal 5”x8” Bound, horizontal format, 48 pages $22.99 on Amazon

  #2 your choice! Square, horizontal, vertical, spiral or bound. Must take watercolor

  Top brands are: Moleskin, Aquabee, Etcher, Stillman & Birn, Strathmore

  Pencil – basic mechanical pencil

  Eraser – kneaded eraser or Cretacolor

  Pens – must be waterproof ink Sakura Micron or Pitt

  Watercolor sets also have MANY options. If you have one you like, start with that. You do not need a large set, and if you plan to travel, small is best.

  #1 Winsor Newton Cotman 13 color set

  #2 Danile Smith set of 6 Sketcher colors

  Watercolor brushes: three sizes: 2 small rounds, one larger flat. Water Brushes are great for travel.

  A bag to carry your supplies and sketchbook

  water container (optional)

  I believe everyone can draw, and everyone can learn the tricks of watercolor and ink line. My only caution is that journaling can be addictive. I just counted over 50 on my shelf!