Connecting with Nature and Creativity

by Lee Kellogg (United States of America)

I didn't expect to find USA

Four days at a nature journaling conference in Pacific Grove, California, what would you expect to find? Relaxation, rejuvenation, enhanced creativity? Yes! A life’s purpose, direction and deeper meaning? All from hanging out with some top notch artists and naturalist on one stupendously scenic spot on the California coast? Not expected but that is what happened. The email arrived in June announcing the first ever nature journaling conference, I immediately trashed it. Four days later, after listening to the little voice in my head insist that I open the email, I went back to read it. In the few days that I hesitated, many classes and field trips filled. That didn’t deter me from excitedly completing my registration. After landing at the Monterey airport, I grabbed the only taxi waiting. I chatted with my driver about my trip there. He perked up as soon as I said “nature journaling”. Reaching to the seat beside him, he held up a book: THE definitive one on nature journaling: “John Muir Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling”. “I just started drawing, mostly while I am waiting for fares, “ he told me. “I have my notebook and pencils right here. It helps the time go by and I feel better for doing it.” I mentioned to him that John Muir Laws would be at the conference all week. He was excited to learn this. We continued to talk about nature journaling, Monterey, and creativity on the short ride to my hotel. The next morning found me walking to the Monterey Aquarium where a class on teaching nature journaling was being held. As I walked through the corridors towards the classroom I was in awe at the displays and the creature they contained. Four hours went by in a flash! Filled with intense learning, along with drawing the fish and other critters in the aquarium as they went about their day. The remainder of the afternoon was spent wandering around the aquarium sketching. For the next three days we were based at Asilomar, a magical place unto itself. Resplendent in Craftsman Style buildings, originally a Girl Scout camp, Asilomar is owned by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. The dunes and beach at Asilomar are the perfect setting for nature journalers. Restored dune habitat carpeted in native flowers and grasses, a crescent beach and cove that attracts sea birds, seals, sea otters, families and surfers. Rocky headlands create end caps for the beach. Classes were held on location: beach, forest, tide pools, further south at Point Lobos and Carmel River State Park. All ideal to learn the craft of nature journaling while reconnecting with nature and creativity. I sketched and journaled all day. Lunch was the ideal time to gather and meet people. All of us having several things in common: love of nature, the desire to sketch and be outdoors. A few people knew each other from the nature journaling club in the Bay Area. For the majority of the 300 plus attendees, it was all new territory. At the end of each session we would gather and share our sketches of the area. It is interesting to see how we each perceive the world around us and record it. The essence of nature journaling is asking why of the world you see is the way it is or wondering about some natural process. Recording those questions in the journal along with illustrations completes the process. Over the four days I was at the conference I observed the instructors and attendees and thought about myself. I went to the event with nothing more in mind other than to have a great time, learn and meet people. I exceeded even that. I met hundreds of amazing people with outstanding skills in a variety of areas that provided no end of inspiration. What I also found was a firm direction for my life. I finally figured out what I want to do when I grow up! Nature journaling provides me the perfect combination of nature, creativity and teaching. Practicing daily, teaching monthly, traveling frequently brings it all together.