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Like most people, I have been enjoying the good weather and getting up close and personal with plants. Even with daily watering, the garden plants are looking thirsty. Our lawn (such as it is) at this point is downright crunchy. I figure it has to rain sooner or later.
Last weekend, I got up close and personal with plants far healthier than mine by attending a class called Art from the Garden out at the Greentree Naturals organic farm. (The description is on this page: http://www.greentreenaturals.com/events.htm.)
I've taken various art classes in high school and college and frankly, a lot of time art just stresses me out. But the Art from the Garden class was much more fun than I expected. I can honestly say that it was the first art class I've taken in ages that didn't just annoy me. In fact, a few years ago I took a painting class at the local community college that was so bad that after the first class I didn't go back and I filed a complaint about the instructor.
Anyway, unlike that painting class, the Art from the Garden class was great because of the instructor Marilyn McIntyre's attitude. Right off the bat, she pointed out nature journaling is not about realism and precision and making things "look" exactly like something. Rather journaling is about your response to something.
She made a big point about how you aren't doing the drawings for anyone else. Personally, I found that whole concept incredibly liberating. Plus, focusing closely on the beautiful flowers in the Greentree gardens was relaxing and soothing, especially for someone like me who spends most of her time staring at a computer monitor.
I was so energized by the class that, after I got home, I harvested some of my garlic and went with a friend to dig up a LOT of Russian sage from an accommodating neighbor's house. The next morning I stored all the garlic and planted the sage. It's amazing what a relaxing time out in the garden can do for you!
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