Art Meets Ecology: Leaf-Inspired Fall Art

Class Overview:

Embrace autumn's vibrant colors, crisp air and rich textures with a guided nature stroll through the Arboretum and art workshop with writer, photographer and Master Naturalist Lisa McClintick. Along the way, we'll gather inspiration from colorful leaves, interesting shapes and seasonal discoveries to create fall-inspired artwork using watercolor and colored pencils. Whether you're starting a nature journal or sketchbook, making handmade greeting cards or creating seasonal home décor, you'll leave with new skills, fresh inspiration and original artwork.

In this introductory class, you will:

• Explore a variety of nature-inspired sketchbooks, journals and artistic styles.
• Learn how to assemble a simple, portable field art kit that's easy to bring along for outdoor sketching and painting.
• Find inspiration throughout the Arboretum, from trees and leaves to fungi, seed pods and late-season flowers.
• Learn basic watercolor and colored pencil techniques through classroom demonstrations.
• Enjoy time to experiment with the materials and create artwork to take home.

*Supplies Included:
Colored pencils, pens and watercolor paints and paper will be available, although you are welcome to bring your own art supplies and sketchbook. No prior experience needed, and we’ll have a variety of leaf templates to use.

Instructor Bio:

Lisa Meyers McClintick is an award-winning travel writer, photographer and guidebook author, and creator of This Week in Nature for the Minnesota Star Tribune. She's also a teaching artist, lifelong journaler and one of the first nature journaling educators certified through John Muir Laws' Wild Wonder Foundation.