How to Nature Journal Like a Kid!
Today, we are going to steal from kids. I know that sounds bad but hear me out. To be more specific we are going to try and steal their learning […]
Drawing as a Learning Tool
What is drawing good for? Two main things in my opinion: decoration and learning. In today’s world we are so focused on the first benefit that we often forget drawing […]
Nature Journaling Questions: A Taxonomy
Nature journaling questions are essential to what we do as nature journalers. However, we are not taught how to ask questions. In fact the dominant society and most schools teach […]
Nature Observation: How to See More With Your Nature Journal
Nature observation used to be essential for your survival. You would not be here today if your ancestors were not observant. This was the case for most of human history. […]
John Muir Laws Interview on The Nature Journal Show
John Muir Laws (aka Jack Laws) could inspire a hard boiled egg. In fact, after this interview you will never look an egg the same. But maybe you have never […]
How To Learn More From Your Old Journals
Do you need some nature journaling ideas, inspiration, and motivation? Did you know that you can learn a lot just by reviewing your old journals? In this episode of The […]
Good Tips For Any Nature Journaler
You all asked for more interviews and shares with different nature journalers in our community so here you go! In 2020 I’m planning on doing lots more interviews like this.
10 Landscape Painting Tips on a Hot Day!
Did you see my last video and want to learn more? In this one I share the technical side…Let me know where you are at in your learning journey. What […]
Follow me in this video as I discover that it is hotter in California than it was in East Africa!
Nature Journal Quick Tip:
Nature Journaling is not about drawing pretty pictures. It is about accelerating your learning and deepening your observations and connection in nature. Ironically, if you are focused on pretty pictures […]
A Year Begins and Ends: So Does Your Life–That’s A Good Thing
The end of the year is a good time to reflect on the finitude of your life. Mortality is a good thing and in this video I show an exercise […]
Journal Page Flip
Learn to Nature Journal at the Hallberg Butterfly Gardens!
I’m super excited to be collaborating with the biodiverse pollinator sanctuary Hallberg Butterfly Gardens! We will be offering an introduction to nature journaling course at their site in Sebastopol. […]
Marvel at Incredible Carnivorous Plants!
In the month of January, the North Coast Nature Journal club will stay out of the rain and warm inside the bio-diverse greenhouses at California Carnivores in Sebastopol! This local […]
More Than Just Drawing Plants
It is easy to think that nature journaling is just about drawing plants and animals when it is actually so much more. In this video I describe some of the […]
Be An Untutored Savage
Shocking news! Despite popular rumors to the contrary, becoming a great naturalist is not about memorizing more scientific names.
Nature Journal Inside! No Excuses
I had to cancel the nature journaling field trip for today but here is a video that I made to motivate you to nature journal at home! Consider it your […]
Special Access to Nature Journal at the Laguna!
In November, I have the opportunity to lead a crew of nature journalers on some normally inaccessible trails in the Laguna de Santa Rosa! I am really excited to be […]
I’m Working Hard and Loving It
I include a lot of my thoughts, feelings, and routines on a roadtrip to teach at the Monterey Bay Birding Festival. I talk about my growing conviction that this kind […]
Sweating and Journaling…
To boldly go where no journal has gone before…
Wanting to BE good at something gets in the way of BECOMING good at something
Here is a short examination of a pitfall when learning any new skill. With a few easy exercises in your journal and a couple of useful resources you will be […]
Stop Procrastinating!
I was so excited to share these two resources that I had to make a video about it right away. If they can help me with my procrastination and motivation […]
A Peak at My Latest Journal
Come with me as I peruse the pages of my last journal, sharing drawings and peppering the video with rants about the benefits of journaling. One journal usually spans three […]
Another Thick Book To Help You
Here is another resource book that is useful to have on hand when you need some motivation. In my review I explain what it is, what it isn’t and how […]
Setback or Opportunity?
Follow me in this video as I explain some of the ideas that have emerged while I’m dealing with recent surgery to my wrist. As an artist, writer, and nature […]
Nature Journal Jumpstart This Fall!
Do you want to experience nature with fresh eyes? Do you want to notice, understand, and remember more of the vibrant world around you? This fun class will teach you […]
Practice in Adverse Conditions
This video is meant to entertain and motivate you to learn faster, try harder, and push your edges…
Here is a great little video by one of my favorite youtubers:
Book Review: The Four Hour Workweek
Regardless of whether working four hours a week is possible or even desirable this book presents a refreshing perspective that is intrinsically valuable. The “Four Hour Workweek” by Timothy Ferriss […]
Learn Faster: Nature Journaling in Information Dense Environments
Here is a practical technique that you can apply to learning almost any new skill but is especially useful for nature artists and nature journalers! I have been unintentionally doing […]
Book Review: Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss
You probably know by now that I am interested in studying tools and techniques for self-awareness, self-motivation, and creative productivity. As part of this study, I have been reading “Tools […]
Share Your Work!
You might remember your math teacher telling you that the answer was important but “showing your work” was also part of the points on a test. As it turns out, […]
Spoken Reflections From Tanzania: Manyara to Arusha
During my trip to Tanzania, I used my nature journal and my pocket notebook for drawing and writing and I used my phone for photos, short videos, and audio recordings. […]
Spoken Reflections from Tanzania: Day 1
During my trip to Tanzania, I used my nature journal and my pocket notebook for drawing and writing and I used my phone for photos, short videos, and audiorecordings. With […]
The North Bay Nature Journal Club
The North Bay Nature Journal Club is a way for you to share your passion for sketching, observation, and learning with other people in nature. Sonoma and Marin counties in […]
Sketchers Learn Faster
There was once a ceramics teacher who did an experiment with his students. He told half the class to make as many pots as they could over the course of […]
The Most Powerful Learning Technology
Journaling is the most powerful toolkit for dynamic human learning. It is affordable, accessible, democratic, and it can be modified and specialized in almost infinite ways. All you need is […]
Learning From Kids: Part 2: Taking Risks
The little feet are a blur of motion as the six year old boy runs down the treacherous, steep, gravel path. “No running down the hill!” calls a camp […]
Scope Out Shollenberger Wetlands!
In May, the North Coast Nature Journal Club will scope out the marshes of Shollenberger park near Petaluma. This convenient park provides ample opportunities to sketch water birds and learn […]
Learning From Kids: Part One: Beginner’s Mind
If your mind is empty, it is ready for anything. In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities; in the expert’s mind there are few. Shunryu Suzuki The zen […]
Rigidity vs Fluidity
Bruce Lee’s philosophy on the rigidity of style and dogma is equally applicable to the visual arts, gardening, land management, and all other realms of human endeavor. Instead of […]
Seeing and Not Seeing
“The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes.” –Sherlock Holmes Have you ever revisited somewhere that you have been many times and seen things […]
Pattern Recognition Saves Lives
On a warm summer afternoon you walk down the rocky trail at your favorite regional park. Despite the beautiful surroundings, your head is full of thoughts about work, family obligations, […]
Knowledge as an obstacle to learning
With today’s omnipresent media it seems that the average person knows more than ever before in human history. Google searches, wikipedia articles, and countless online news sites make huge amounts […]
Learning how to Learn
One of the “meta” topics that I’m most interested in is learning. Learning about new subjects and learning new skills is great but learning how to learn is even better. […]