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Nature Journaling: Explore, Express, Connect at The Foster Museum

  • Address:
    940 Commercial Street
    Palo Alto, CA 94303
  • Phone: (650) 209-7181
  • Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
  • Price: $60 per session or $160 for the series
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About

Celebrate the beauty and wonder of nature through journaling, a magical blend of art and science that deepens our connection with nature. The focus of this series, led by Kate Rutter, is on visually expressing curiosity about what we observe rather than creating polished botanical art. All skill levels are welcome; "art" is in the experience itself.

The three-session series may be taken together or individually. $60 per session or $160 for the series. An optional $20 kit is available for purchase. In all sessions, Kate will be available for questions and individual instruction during field journaling time.

October 20 - Session 1: Exploring Wonder with a Nature Journal
Learn basic nature journaling methods, including words, pictures, and numbers to ask questions, track data, and explore form through gesture, contour, negative space, and diagrammatic sketching. Apply these skills in the field at a nearby location. Optional prompts will inspire you to journal during interim weeks.

November 17 - Session 2: Deepening Observations and Visual Expression in your Nature Journal
Explore color and basic watercolor techniques, including color theory, mixing, matching, and using color to communicate sensory observations and emotions. Practice journaling in both field and studio settings, sharing and selecting prompts for ongoing work.

December 8 - Session 3: Celebrating the Joy of Place in Your Nature Journal
Opening again at The Foster Museum, the class will find inspiration in Tony Foster's watercolor wilderness Journeys, identifying elements that communicate a place's power. We'll learn simple landscape sketching, basic map drawing, and ways to document sound, smell, and touch. During a field trip to a local nature preserve, we'll experiment with poetic expression. The final sharing session will discuss next steps for continuing your nature journal practice.


sketches of fungi