THE ART HABIT; Honoring Mother Nature
During this time of COVID-19 we know that we can feel safe in nature as long as we keep a safe distance between other people, besides our family. The air and water are cleaner than ever since the world is sheltering in place and taking a break from driving cars. Many factories are temporarily shutting down and sending workers home.
This is all good for Mother Nature!
Take a walk outside with a sack and scissors to collect your materials; rocks, leaves, moss, lichen, flowers, sticks, wild gourds, pine cones, seed pods, bark of a tree, feathers, water and dirt of many colors. We are building a sculpture to honor mother nature.
Warning: Avoid Poison Oak and Poison Ivy
Watch for Snakes
- As you walk, notice the air on your skin, is it cool? warm? moist?
- Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths.
- Notice the scent in the air.
- Notice how you feel.
- Notice the color of the sky.
- Notice the light on the leaves as they dance in the breeze.
- When you stroke the leaves of plants, does one have a stronger scent than the other?
- Gather some leaves and pods that have distinct scents.
- Choose nature objects with varying textures.
- Choose limbs to give your sculpture height.
BUILD YOUR SCULPTURE IN HONOR OF MOTHER NATURE
Find a place to build your sculpture outside or inside
OUTSIDE
Walk around your yard and find a good spot to begin
- On a porch
- In a flower bed
- On a rock wall
INSIDE
Find a scarf or fabric to use as a base for your sculpture
- Place on a table
- In a corner on the floor
- On the fireplace hearth
- In your room
Spread out your collected objects and notice which objects hold your attention the most. Save these for the focal point, maybe to add at the end.
- Begin to play with your collection.
- Arrange them.
- Balance them.
- Go back out and find more leaves or sticks if you need them.
- Put any flowers in water.
- Rearrange them.
- Decide where your focal point will be placed.
- Until it feels satisfying.
SOUND
If your sculpture had a sound what would that be? Would it be a drum beat? A bell? A sound you can make with your own voice? A song? Find a way to give it a sound.
DRAW
Open your journal and draw your nature sculpture filling a random page.
Optional: Share with others in your family
Optional: Take a picture for your records