Nature Journaling

Drawing and Painting the Wild Journal

Sept. 6-9, 2012, North Cascades Institute’s  Learning Ctr

http://ncascades.org/signup/programs/the-wild-journal/program-registration

Preparations for this 4-day workshop are getting me excited! September is my favorite month to be in the mountains here. The weather is cooler but more predictably sunny, the bugs are fewer, and every plant and animal is putting for a last burst of beauty and wholeness before the early mountain snows and cold winds push them back beneath the surface. High mountain summers are brief and beautiful.

© Kristen Gilje 2005 Holden Lake Trail, Watercolor 10x14

We”ll be brushing up on drawing and watercolor skills in the morning, and using those skills to record our high mountain excursions in the afternoon, the easy way: we’ll be shuttled by van to places our resident naturalists choose for us. When it’s time for dinner we’ll be driven back to the Learning Center for a good meal and a warm bed.

Click on this link for more info on the workshop

http://ncascades.org/signup/programs/the-wild-journal

and click on this one to register:

http://ncascades.org/signup/programs/the-wild-journal/program-registration

North Cascade Institute Learning Center near Newhalem WA

 

 

Kristen Gilje wild-flowers-may19

 

 

 

Figure Drawing

Recently I’ve re-discovered my love of figure drawing. July 6th I was invited to draw portraits of visitors to the Whatcom Museum here in Bellingham,  in conjunction with the Ray Turner show “Population.” I brought my easel, a 6B pencil, sketch book and kneaded eraser, and drew 10 quick portraits in 2 hours. I was exhausted but satisfied.

I’ve also been attending 2-1/2 hour life drawing sessions at a local art school, Bellingham Art. Here is one drawing:

©2012 Kristen Gilje "Youth" 24x18, graphite
©2012 Kristen Gilje “Youth” 24×18, graphite

 

 

Manasquan, NJ banner finished

©Kristen Gilje "Servants' Entrance" hand painted silk, 28x94 inches.

Here’s a new banner to hang over the sanctuary exit of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Manasquan NJ.

©Kristen Gilje "Servants' Entrance" hand painted silk, 28x94 inches.
©2012 Kristen Gilje “Servants’ Entrance” 28×94 inches, hand painted silk.

The symbol is of a butterfly, resurrected from the dark of the cocoon into a thing of great beauty. Maybe the sanctuary is like a cocoon, resurrecting us into things of beauty, ready to be servants in the world.