These workshops came about while researching for my masters degree in illustration. In an attempt to encourage those who don't, or are unable to have direct contact with nature (which is proven to be beneficial to our health) to bring nature indoors instead.
It is beginning to emerge in the science field that creativity is also beneficial to our brains and well-being. So what about being creative with nature?
The mere handling of nature, be it a stone, a piece of wood, a bunch of flowers can have a similar calming effect as being outside, so when you embark on these little workshops, take the time to get to know the material you are handling, hold it in you hands, feel the texture, take in the colours, how many different colours can you see? Smell it, what does it smell like? The sea? The street you live on? Sweet or sour? Find out a bit about it, google is a handy tool. write it all down in a little notebook.
Whenever I make an ink from flowers and plants, or make paint from stones or filtering soils, I write it all down, whether it is successful or not, sometimes the colours change as they age, sometimes they disappear completely and that's ok too. It is the beauty of nature.
It is also a good idea to also wear a mask, if you have breathing difficulties, and a handy tip, label your paint, so you know where it came from and possibly, what stone it is.
The idea behind theses workshops, as well, as improving health and well being for us, is to improve the health and well being of the planet. While climate change and other environmental feel to large and abstract, it is actually the little things that matter. Just noticing these little things can have an impact. When you pick your stone also take in what birds you can hear, what else is growing around the area, that could be anything from lichen, moss or flowers and leaves. You'll be surprised how much nature is around even if you are living in the city.
Feel free to let me know if you made any paint from stones and how you felt about it.
If you are in the UK and would like to book me for a series of well-being with nature workshops, please use the contact form on the main menu.