April Nature Club Gathering

Tulip Peony Drawing by Mia Darshan

I had a lovely time hosting this drawing event. Throughout my life, drawing from nature has been my constant companion, my refuge, and creative outlet. It is the foundation of my art practice and where I draw my greatest inspiration. I love that at whatever stage in my creative journey, there is always more to learn from observing my natural environment. I love how the nature of a flower reveals itself through close and profound study. I love the slowing down, the embodiment, connection to nature, and the internal mindbody (& spirit) connection. I feel blessed to have this arsenal of skills at my disposal. I’ve grown a lot as an artist and a person from having a regular life drawing practice.

Part of why I wanted to start this group is the longing for connection around nature, creation, and cocreation. It took me over two years to build my studio and design my garden (still in its infancy). I want to share it and welcome my community members to join in creating art and learning about life drawing. I believe that its not only an artistic skill, but a life skill, a way of understanding what is in front us. And then there is the serene meditative quality that emerges once you set pencil to paper.

Attendees setup their drawing area and then joined me in my studio for a demo. I discussed the idea of both gesture and structure in flowers and plants. How there is an underlying structure, a map that we can translate onto our paper. I welcomed the use of straight lines to draw initial block-ins but also sweeping lines, because flowers and plants are whimsical, and they move with a sudden breeze or to face the sunshine. I also shared tips for checking proportion and angles. My message was to try to see and draw in new ways, while staying open to what feels like one’s natural way of drawing. I don’t want people to draw like me, or for me to draw like anyone else. I want to share a process and skillset to utilize in a way that facilitates understanding, growth and expression. Then we all sat under my covered patio and started drawing. I played one my favorite yoga playlists and then there was a communal dive into creating. Working individually while connecting to nature, and building a sort of creative aura. I checked in with everyone and loved to see each person’s unique style. I do believe that our own style and aesthetic is important to preserve, to not see it as wrong, just like in nature, its the kinks, the wrinkles, the irregularities that I find the most charming. And when we bring our truest self and pair it with intention and new learning, that is when magic happens. We ended with a gallery walk, celebrating the work. I urged attendees to keep their drawings as a document, and then watch as their process evolves.

It fills my cup to share my skills, my space and my support for others who are fascinated by nature and want to connect with it through drawing. Life drawing is one of my life lines and that is a gift I want to share with my community. I see it as a source of inspiration, a problem solving toolset, and vehicle for expression, understanding, and limitless possibility. I welcome you to join me in May.