PPF: Backyard Field Journal

The week three assignment in Alisa Burke's Ode to Nature class is to create a Field Journal, and she encouraged us to start in our own backyard.  A Field Journal is a lot like a sketchbook, but with more writing and even less worrying about getting things "perfect." I enjoyed making this top page featuring a hydrangea leaf, jasmine leaves and a jasmine flower taken from my side yard. 
I did another page about some very cool seed pods:

And a page which was a summary of what's going on in my garden beds:

These were all done with pencil, pen and watercolors. I have admired similar pages when I have seen them done by others, but I had never figured out how to do it myself. So this lesson made me really happy! 
If you're interested in what other students are doing in the Ode to Nature class, I can definitely recommend stopping by the following four blogs:
Andy Lean - he's an art teachers and produces beautiful drawing, painting and photographs (he's also brand new to blogging);
Inge's Miracles of Nature - beautiful sketching and photography, with a cool Nordic vibe; 
Alexa's Trimming the Sails - Photos, stories - no incorporating nature; and
Pat's Art Kerfuffle - sketching, book making and other crafty stuff. 
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I'm posting this to Paint Party Friday (my favorite weekly meme). For more painterly goodness, check out the offerings at Paint Party Friday.