Week 10 – Walk, Collect and Paint
I try and take a minimum 15 minute walk every day. When I have time it is longer. I have always walked and find it is just a great way to relax, refresh and connect with nature. The first stage of this week’s creativity was the walk. But what to collect? The time of year and the environment will dictate what is available. There was plenty of dead leaves and winter debris laying around. Then I spotted the new growth. Beautiful new leaves. The promise of spring.
Appreciating the Form
I see leaves every day. But rarely collect them. Or display them like this. All the forms are so different. The texture, colour and size of each one made me appreciate the wealth of inspiration which is available.
Draw and Paint
I drew around the leaves using a soft pencil onto watercolour paper. I used watercolour postcards that I found in the cupboard. This gave me smaller spaces to work on but still provided an opportunity to repeat the form. Not having used watercolours for a while I settled on a limited palette and decided to just have some fun.
Play with Paint
My intention was to use the form and “play” with the paint. We don’t often give ourselves permission to play. These forms can be developed further working with alternative colours and composition.
Small Leaves of Great Importance
All leaves are of enormous importance in providing us with the oxygen we need to breathe. They soak up the carbon dioxide we emit and in return give us back oxygen. I often walk through the woods as I feel very peaceful in the company of trees. They are ever changing and I often wonder what they would be able to tell us if they could talk.
We all need to be planting more trees now wherever and whenever we can. They mean the world to us.
The Woodland Trust has a wonderful website with lots of information and guidance for the planting of native species.
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/why-plant-trees/
Start Walking
The days are drawing out. There are so many lovely places to walk. Even a short stroll can provide a rich source of material. Be mindful of what you collect though. Take a small bag and limit yourself to between 6 and 10 pieces. Don’t overload. And you don’t have to use paint. You can draw, print, collage or photograph. The choice is yours. Have some fun.