Claire Leslie Walker & Charles E. Roth | Nonfiction
Earlier this summer I was inspired by an article in our local paper about a man who creates and teaches Nature Journaling. I began to think that keeping a nature journal might be a good way to be more present on my hikes, and less focused on accumulating miles and elevation. And so, I researched the topic. And yes, I now have a journal, pens, and watercolor pencils that I take with me when I hike alone. I am beginning to expand the use of this journal to non-hiking times. Here are four books that further inspired me:
The Naturalist Notebook: from a week on the Noatak River. I discovered this book at the National Park Service visitor center in Bettles, Alaska. Kristin Link, the author, created a watercolor journal of her time in the Brooks Range. This is a beautiful book, very inspiring. The only way to buy this book is to track down her website, which I did.
A Life in Hand: Creating the Illuminated Journal by Hannah Hinchman has some great exercises to get you started, and to free up your voice. She also has a good section on supplies.
How to Keep a Naturalist's Notebook by Susan Leigh Tomlinson is a pretty book, with some good ideas, but for my taste, an over-emphasis on drawing.
Keeping a Nature Journal: Discover a Whole New Way of Seeing the World Around You is, for my purposes, the cream of the crop. This lovely book expands beyond nature drawing and brings in much of what I was personally looking for … ideas on how to use your journal, to slow down, as a spiritual practice, how to see and be present with the world around you, in the natural world and not. They have chapters on seasonal journaling as well as information about journaling with kids, varying your layouts, different ideas for keeping your journal fresh and new. And it is a gorgeous book, with many black & white and color journal examples. If you buy only one book, this is the one to purchase.
I bought all four of these books, so if you would like to borrow any, just let me know.
Thanks for these suggestions. I have tried, and failed, at keeping a nature journal. Several times. Perhaps your favorite will prove to be the needed inspiration. I think in my past efforts I try to be either too scientific or too artistic and I am neither. I should just be me!
Yes, Mary, I guess it just has to be by me, for me; by you, for you! I’ve sent you a scan of some of my pages!! Very little artistry exists in these pages!!