2019-09-01 In The Moment

mindful art

CalmMoment.com 61

GETTING STARTED

Choose your canvas

Look for a location that you can

transform in some way. Woodland

trails often have trees lining either side,

providing a natural framework for your

art. At the seaside, you may have cliffs,

water and boats in the background.

Think about your composition as a whole:

how will your piece of work link to its

surroundings? If you’re worried about

distractions, opt for a quiet spot. But you

may find that as you become absorbed

in what you’re doing, you’re easily able to

ignore passers-by or that you actually

enjoy your interactions with them as they

observe your creations.

Enjoy the process

Instead of focusing on the end design,

slow yourself down and enjoy the organic

process of making art outdoors. Take

your time to explore, notice the natural

materials around you and note how what

is available changes with the seasons.

Pay attention to the colours, shapes

and textures of the leaves, stones or

branches you see. Don’t just think about

what might look good but what feels

good. Take in the smells and sounds of

your surroundings, being mindful of this

multisensory setting.

Respect the environment

Be careful not to disturb untouched

ecosystems. It’s best not to work in or

next to fresh water streams as leaves

and stones here often provide habitats

for wildlife. By contrast, stones on

beaches are often being moved around

naturally with the tides. In woodlands, look

for leaves, seed kernels and branches

that have already fallen to the earth and

don’t stray too far from existing paths.

It’s not worth trampling flora in pursuit

of making art. If you’re thinking about

working in a sensitive site, such as a

nature reserve, check with rangers first.

Make memories

Part of the joy of making outdoor art

installations is that they are, by their very

nature, ephemeral. But that doesn’t mean

you can’t make lasting memories of

your pieces. Walk around your finished

work and sometimes you will discover

new perspectives. Consider taking

photographs from all angles so that you’ll

have a few images to reflect back on

later. It can be fulfilling to make sketches

based on the photos you’ve taken too.

Left to right: James incorporated the tree itself in this autumnal

installation; James with one of his beach artworks.

A walk in the woods can
become a creative
experience when you
pause to make art.

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