The term ‘Nature Journaling’ is relatively new to me.
It first attracted my attention on social media or possibly YouTube a few years ago probably by watching the great videos of John Muir Laws. For a while, that description did not seem to fit my output. I don’t go out ‘Nature Journaling’ and my notes often do not look like the beautifully accomplished examples generally on show. They are more of a written diary that is sometimes illustrated when the inspiration arises and often the sketches are kept separate to the written notes. Hence, they are still referred to as ‘my notebooks’ rather than ‘my nature journals’ .
I have been interested in Natural History most of my life with a particular focus on Birds, Butterflies and Moths, but over the years this interest has branched out to where I now find myself looking at just about any life form that doesn’t require the use of a microscope.
Although I began watching birds as a child in the mid 1970’s I didn’t keep the notes or drawings I made then, which is something I regret. The earliest, rough, small notebook that is in my collection is from 1985 and I have kept them ever since, in varying formats. I keep telling myself to stick with a style and really wish I could, but they change like the wind, to suit my taste at a given time.
We all have individual styles and tastes when it comes to creativity. My own aspirations are to record what is seen rather than what is known. This can be difficult and often results in some unaccomplished looking work but I quite like that. A loose, rougher style has always attracted my attention with artists the likes of David Measures, Eric Ennion, John Busby, Eileen Soper, Norman McCanch, Peter Partington and DIM Wallace and many other being my influences.
If I was to give advice to anyone starting out with an interest in nature, I would suggest keeping notebooks or journals in any form that you enjoy. Try not to just quote from things you have read in other books or seen elsewhere but make your own personal observations, no matter how small. Even the briefest of entries can, in future, bring the memories of that day come flooding back. Try not to compare your own work with that of more experienced experts, writing and illustration are learned disciplines just as playing a guitar or driving a car is, it all takes practice.
Many people look at works of great artists and become disappointed when their own efforts seem very amateur-ish but they shouldn’t feel like this, it’s a bit like being disappointed when you can’t play tennis like Serena Williams! Just stick with it and enjoy the learning process in the knowledge you are improving all the time while creating a source of memories for yourself in the future.
One final point. You should not feel pressured to publish all of your work on social media, but, if you feel confident enough, I’m sure we would all really enjoy seeing it! Good Luck.
About Stewart
I take photos but I’m not a photographer and I paint but I’m not an artist either! Despite this I have been lucky enough to be published in a variety of books and magazines over the years as and when people are kind enough to ask. My friends say I never ‘switch off’ with regard to wildlife and as the saying goes, ‘I don’t go birding, I AM birding’. Being in the presence of nature in any form is my reality.
Please see more of my work and wildlife outings at my blog – Stewchat www.boulmerbirder.blogspot.com
Stewart Sexton, Northumberland.