Nature Drawing: Blending Art and Science

Credit: Corinn Rutkoski

Learning how to keep a nature journal of your observations can help deepen your connection to art, science and place.  This course aims to introduce ecology at several spatial scales, including landscapes, communities and species. Participants will learn art techniques to sketch landscapes, species interactions, and organisms using colored pencils. Join local artist Olivia Mendoza and KBS scientists to discover how science and art intersect, build scientific knowledge and awareness through journaling, and build intentional observation as scientists, artists and naturalists.

“What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” ~Mary Oliver

Gain skills and experience in:

• Thinking like an artist, a naturalist, and a scientist
• Understanding of biodiversity at the landscape, community, and organismal scale
• Identifying patterns and interactions in nature
• Learning art techniques using pencils and colored pencils
• Making scientific and artistic observations about nature at different scales

About the course, from past participants

“I have never journaled or drawn, so this is exciting! I am going out today to start observing and drawing. Awesome class!”

“This class helped break the ice to try something I was intimidated to do.”

“I want to continue my exploration of this beautiful world, share with kiddos that I am close with to extend the love of nature and art to future generations”

Online course information

Dates:  February, 18,  25,  March 8, 11, 2021

Time: Thursday evenings from 6 to 7:30 p.m. EDT

Course Fee: 

• Early registration: January 1-February 11, 2021: members $45.00/ non-members $55
• Normal registration: February 12-21, 2021: members $55.00 / non-members $65

Class Registration: https://events.anr.msu.edu/BlendingArtandScience2021 

Questions? Please call (269) 671-2510 or email birdsanctuary@kbs.msu.edu.

Course schedule

Classes will focus on a different ecological scale, starting with landscapes and ecosystems, then communities, then species.

Week 1: Introduction to Nature Journaling

• Overview: Nature journaling is a way of observing the environment by sketching what you see and jotting down notes about your observation, your surroundings, and what it reminds you of.  
• In-class art activity: This will be a really interactive program, please be ready with an object to observe (it can be anything from your yard – a leaf, flower, rock, whatever you think looks cool!), paper, pens or pencils, and excitement to draw.
• KBS scientists: Corinn Rutkoski & Outreach Coordinator Misty Klotz

Week 2: Landscape & Ecosystem Ecology

• Overview: This class will open with a discussion about  agricultural landscape ecology and ecosystem functions.
• In-class art activity: Olivia Mendoza will lead the class in drawing a Michigan agricultural landscape.
• KBS scientists: Corinn Rutkoski and Sean Griffin 

Week 3: Community Ecology

• Overview: We will discuss plant-plant interactions in Midwest prairie habitats. 
• In-class art activity: Olivia Mendoza will lead the class in drawing a prairie plant community including wildflowers and grasses. 
• KBS Scientist: Dr. Meredith Zettlemoyer

Week 4: Species Ecology

• Overview: We will discuss the ecology of organisms (moths and switchgrass).
• In-class art activity: Olivia Mendoza will lead the class in drawing a detailed insect.
• KBS Scientists: Alice Pulchalsky and Tayler Ulbrich