The Beauty of Trees in Winter:
Forest Bathing Walk & Watercolor Workshop

". . . when I start drawing an ordinary thing, I realize how extraordinary it is, sheer miracle: the branching of a tree . . . "
Frederick Franck in The Zen of Seeing

Many love this season, but for some of us, winter is a challenging time, and this gathering will be a respite from the low energy, sadness, and worries winter may bring. We will focus on the beauty of the season and lift our spirits. As we walk along the wintery meadows, cedars, and pine trees of a beautiful, private 60-acre farm and woodland, we will open all our senses as we explore the serene winter landscape.

We will focus on the lovely bare branches of the trees, taking time to really look at the form of a tree, and the graceful movement of branches as they reach upward and outward towards the heavens, even as the tree is deeply rooted in the earth. There is much we can learn from our trees about the beauty of winter, gestating, and quiet inward time. We will connect with the natural world as we make creative expressive drawings using graphite and watercolor. And as ever, we will connect with joy and play (and sparkly watercolors) and celebrate our time together on a wintery day making art. Everyone will have a beautiful Earthmind journal page with a memory of the day in images and, for some, words - a short poem or notes on your experience.

As you prepare for this workshop, look around you at the trees as they shed their lovely leaves, and if a fallen branch (not too big) catches your artist's eye, bring it along! The gorgeous land on which we are meeting will provide inspiration, and we will provide everything you need for your art making, but if you have a journal and art materials you love, feel welcome to bring them along.

This class is appropriate for all skill levels, from those fearful of drawing to those with years of experience. Individual styles are encouraged and celebrated.

Nancy DeNicolo is a fun, engaging, approachable, and knowledgeable instructor, who has over 40 years of work experience and continuing education in the art of teaching and the creative arts for self-expression and healing.

• This event will be held outdoors and indoors, on a private 60-acre farm and woodlands in East Haddam. Upon registration, the address and directions will be emailed. In the event of inclement weather, we will reschedule the class for the following Saturday, January 21st.

• Cost: $45.00 (includes supplies)

• This event is limited to 10 participants

• We have a beautiful heavyweight sketchbook available for purchase here.

What You Can Expect

First Hour: The Beauty of Trees, a Forest Bathing Walk in Winter

• A guided, slow, mindful walk through the winter forest and meadows with a series of invitations crafted to help you slow down and open your senses. Opening one’s senses encourage mindfulness, which readies the heart and mind to be fully present in the natural world.

Second Hour: Earthmind Journaling | The Beauty of Trees in Winter Watercolor Class

• Now in our mindful state with our senses awakened, we will create a piece of self-expressive art to remind you of this moment in time: with friends, enjoying the natural world.

• Nancy will demonstrate and offer suggestions for getting into a creative and playful mind space to make your painting. You will be offered methods for representational, impressionistic, and abstract painting, and you may choose what inspires you.

Last Half Hour

• We will share our paintings and experiences (only if you would like), and enjoy locally harvested hot tea and homemade cranberry walnut bread.

What to Bring

• Please dress in warm clothes and bring warm gloves, a hat, a scarf, a warm coat, and snow boots! Please bring an extra pair of warm socks, as we will leave our wet boots in the mudroom before moving upstairs for our class. Bring anything you need to feel comfortable (change of clothes, yoga mat, crystals, blanket, etc.) in the space. There is a private bathroom for you to change your clothes.

• Sunscreen to protect your skin (yes, even in the winter!)

• Water

• Paper, pencil, and paint will be provided, but if you have a favorite sketchbook or journal and paints and drawing tools you love, feel free to use them.

• We have a beautiful heavyweight sketchbook (see below) available for purchase here.