Jennifer

It turned out way better than I expected. I'm quite pleased with it. I'd like to make the colors more vibrant but hopefully I'll learn those skills in time. This is my first try with watercolors (with a little pen mixed in).

I have always been inspired and intrigued by naturalists and their field records. I can pore over drawings, paintings, photographs, and writings for hours, as well as spend countless hours reading biographies, writings, and even children's books about famous naturalists and conservationists. My children and I would often sit outside when they were younger and observe nature, read books, make up stories about the creatures we saw, and make nature journals. I still have some of my children's early nature drawings. I definitely would like to keep a record of date, time, location and weather. I think it is important. I am inspired by the goal of a drawing a day but I think I may need to make it a page a week. That will be my new year's goal. I'm fascinated with a purely observational study but I'm also considering a more imaginative interpretation. Perhaps in a separate journal, perhaps mixed together. I often imagine a fanciful world of anthropomorphic animals and fairy creatures interacting. I am interested to try journaling these ideas. Perhaps it will inspire me. My art skills are somewhat lacking but I've made the resolution to be content with what I have and keep persevering. Who knows? Maybe I'll improve with practice.