I have been enjoying the great outdoors a lot lately with the warmer weather here in Toronto.  More outside time means less in doors time doing “indoor” art.  Of course I could hull out my materials for painting and paint outside, or even grab a sketch book and pencil and sit outside and be inspired, but I’m sure these are ideas you have already had or perhaps tried.  Besides it feels like a lot of work to bring my materials outside (and I can always open the balcony door which is right beside my painting area and enjoy both worlds anyway).

Today I thought I would share some ways that you can connect with your creativity when you are out and about outside, that does not take a lot of planning and lugging of supplies.  These can be done in your back yard, at a local park, at the beach, on a forest or savanna hike, whatever works for you.  The key is accessibility: making art out in nature with ease and last-minute inspiration.

Here are some of my ideas.

Make a rock sculpture at the beach,

or on a mountain top.

Make a sand sculpture.

Make a drawing in the sand, soil, or snow!
Leave behind nature art Andy Goldsworthy style:

Make a mandala or picture using rock/seed/leaf/ . . . .

Make a stick sculpture or structure.

Draw or paint on smooth rocks and leave them for others to discover.

Make leaf people or a straw/grass doll.

Make water drawings on the sidewalk or fence with a spray bottle or hose and watch them disappear.
Bring your camera outside and take  pictures of nature’s beauty and wonder.

Explore macro nature photography.

Plant flowers or herbs in a design,  use perennials and watch them come back each year!

Use twigs or dried vines in a shape to have vining plants grow around

Get out the sidewalk chalk and have some fun!

Make a mosaic using colourful stones or broken pots.

Take a creative selfie!

I would love to hear your ideas or things you’ve tried that worked for you! Get outside and be inspired!

If you need some support getting your creative practice going, join me online or in person for Art Journaling or Intuitive Painting.  Click below to find out more!