Awakening Artistic Senses in Nature with Marjorie Taylor

Week of December 12, 2026

Deepen your connection to the natural world, enliven all your senses, and reawaken the artist within you. These art workshops are perfect for adults who believe they “can’t draw a straight line” because there are no straight lines in nature. Beginners and experienced artists alike are welcome to attend one or all sessions. Daily connections to nature and creativity can help us live our best wild selves.

Presentation: AWAKENING ARTISTIC SENSES IN NATURE
In a world increasingly dominated by digital overstimulation, making art in nature is a pragmatic approach to mindfulness. Humans are part of the natural world and benefits from connecting with it include improved sleep, concentration, and creativity. Making art reduces stress, depression and anxiety. A closer connection with nature inspires us to be better caretakers of our planet.

Session One: SEEING/DRAWING IN NATURE
Awaken your artistic senses in nature with a sketch walk. Participants will create mini-journals and head outside with pencils in hand. We’ll practice exercises to improve hand/eye coordination amid birdsong and sage. We’ll discuss strategies for simplifying, seeing negative shapes, and noticing the gestures of trees.

Session Two: SKETCHING IN WATERCOLORS
We’ll discuss the importance of letting go of expectations for your art, while continuing the creation of our mini-journals. We’ll review watercolor supplies and learn basic techniques. Participants will practice creating washes, painting wet on wet, layering, painting wet over dry, blotting, and making brushstrokes.

Session Three: RELATIONSHIPS IN COLOR
We’ll explore color relationships in terms of hue, value, and chroma. Learning to see colors in nature, we’ll observe that the sky isn’t always blue, grass has many colors in addition to green, and white isn’t only white. We’ll touch on color theory and participants will practice color mixing and layering to create a variety of effects.

Session Four: BLENDING NATURE AND CREATIVITY IN EVERYDAY LIFE
Turn off the inner critic and tune into the natural world. We’ll add finishing touches to our mini-journals while exploring ways continue making art in nature. In a culture of consumption, creating art is a revolutionary act. Use your voice! You never know how your art practice can inspire others.

 

After a successful career as a graphic designer and illustrator, Marjorie Taylor returned to her first love—painting—and embarked on a fine art career in oils. Her plein air painting adventures and exhibition opportunities have taken her throughout North America, Central America, Europe, Asia Minor, and North Africa. Her work has been exhibited and collected both nationally and internationally. An experienced educator, she has taught painting, drawing, and a variety of art classes for children and adults in San Diego and Mexico. In recent years, she has expanded her artistic practice beyond oil painting to include watercolor, acrylic, and printmaking, while continuing her work as a writer.

https://www.taylorpaintings.com

@taylorpaintings