You carry Mother Earth within you. She is not outside of you. Mother Earth is not just your environment. In that insight of inter-being, it is possible to have real communication with the Earth, which is the highest form of prayer.
Environmental artist Michele Guieu works with the energy and spirit of the land to create site specific ephemeral installations. Her current work (Winter 2022) "Slow Down" (the three photos below) takes place in the high desert of southern California where Michele painstakingly arranged by hand stones that undulate in a thoughtful flow along the desert landscape. Check out her website (click on her name above) to see more of her earthly creations that inspire and inform!
Ephemeral art in homage to Andy Goldsworthy (March 2022) created by Martha from Texas. Great work and thank you for the contribution!!
The similarity of the lines in our hands to leaves and trees demonstrates our profound connection to nature.
Assembled natural object sculpture created by Jaxon, age 3 (2021) using rocks, twigs, and flower petals that fell from a blossoming plum tree.
The natural world offers a beautiful canvas that invites us to create with it!!
Download FREE Art and Nature Activities below!!
Spring is time to awaken to new life and possibilities! Thanks to Ghada and Marty from a Texas Montessori School for sharing this fun project made of painted egg cartons and paper straws! Ghada engaged the children in creative play outside in making designs with the materials. I love this for it's spontaneity, and temporary nature. Very creative!!!
Thanks to Rose from Big Island for this great project! Use thin, colorful papers and cut into flower, turtle or other shapes that will unfold in a sequence. Fold and set in water to observe them unfold before your eyes!! A great hit with my grandson!!
Download the free pdf file below to find out how to make family time even more fun with lots of games and activities for young children!! Thanks to @Journeyw_Jenna on Instagram for the great idea!!!
I love the Jewish holiday of Tu Bi'Shvat that is about the birthday of trees! It was celebrated on January 16. Thanks to our neighbor, Emily, for the recommendation!
There are many books about trees for children and adults. Check out your local bookstore's offerings and learn about our beloved forever friends!
This book was published in 1993 but it's a great resource, if it's still in print. You might find it used. My teacher-friend Rose gave me a copy after she retired from teaching preschool for many years. It has many superb ideas for Art and Nature activities!
There are many books out there with similar ideas.
The most important thing is to ask yourself:
1) How can this activity use sustainable materials?
2) Can we make use of things we would throw away or recycle? Things that can't be recycled (see plastic top examples below)?
3) Can we use non-toxic paints, markers, etc? How about using natural materials? Look in the Plastic Pollution tab for two art companies offering nature-based paints! Check out:
I just discovered a fantastic website that offers a plethora of lesson plans for "Green Lesson Plans and Resources"!! Check out Forever Curious for all kinds of great information!! Yay!!!
My goal is to keep as much plastic out of landfills as possible. Plastic bottle caps are not recyclable, no matter what they say. Most recycling centers are not equipped to deal with them as they scatter and clog machines and pose a hazard to workers. So, save those caps! You can help Mother Nature by:
You and your children, students, or grandchildren can enjoy making all kinds of sculptures and designs with them. They can be temporary where you can reuse them over and over like legos or you can glue them on a surface to make a permanent relief sculpture.
Also, use them to make colorful prints!! Jaxon, age 3, making a plastic top print.
And, those caps that have a hinge, why they make great mobiles that create interesting sounds!
Fill larger caps with water and place in your garden for butterflies, bees, and birds to take thirsty sips! These are only a few ideas. Look under "Art Gallery" to see the plastic dress I created and please visit the tab "Plastic Pollution" for a plethora of information and resources, thank you!!!
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