Gather

There will be four emails this week as part of a botanical art challenge leading up to the spring equinox. I am a watercolor painter, but whatever your medium is (photography, writing, digital artist…), you are welcome to join or just follow along. Everyone will have access to the prompts! Paid subscribers will have access to the full post, videos, and community chat.

Today, we will get outside and gather some botanical items to work with. Whether the ground is covered in snow or spring has already sprung where you are, there are beautiful things to notice and to be inspired by. The purpose of this is to enjoy what is happening now – not to wish it away. If you take the time to look, you may find a lot more interesting botanical things than you think are available right now. Here in the north, it is common to hear people say winters are dull gray and brown (I used to be one of them). And while it is true that the palette is muted, the variation is incredible.

Your challenge is to gather some items you want to work with and bring them home if you can. For the things that you can’t bring with you, make sketches in the field, write some notes, and take photographs. Whatever your medium, drawing, painting, writing, photography, or…these items are meant to inspire a piece that represents how you experience the changing of the seasons.

Where to collect:

- Your own yard or garden
- Your neighborhood
- Parks
- Nature preserves
- Beaches or dunes
- Botanical gardens
- Plant nurseries
- Farmers' markets or stands
- If you are not able to get out, you can use a house plant, or notice the view out of a window

What to collect:
- Leaves (dry or fresh)
- Twigs
- Grasses (dry or fresh)
- Flowers (dry or fresh)
- Pine cones and needles
- Bulbs
- Keep your eyes open, don't look at your phone (or listen) while you walk– just observe

Things to remember:
Be sure you have permission to collect things -- take photos if it is not okay to take them. If you are unsure of what something is, be careful -- you don't want to touch anything poisonous or that would irritate your skin.

Bring a sketchbook if you can, and make quick sketches and notes about what you collect. When you get back home, take some time to write about what you saw, why you were drawn to certain things, and what surprised you the most.