Pack your art supplies and bring a thermos - we're heading off on an easygoing artist's adventure into the natural world

I've noticed a pattern in the creative process, and I'm guessing you have too. It always makes me think of a wave; the rising, the surfing, the folding, the crashing, and then the pause as it pulls back to begin again.

This course is about that pulling back stage.

It can come after the end of a long or intense period of creativity, or after the completion of a painting. Sometimes it simply happens as a result of life events {or global pandemics}. You'll know it as that phase of quietness, of little or no inspiration. Many people find it very challenging to navigate.

I call it the Afterslump.

I've encountered this phase in the creative process literally hundreds of times. At this point, I navigate it with greater ease than I used to, but that doesn't mean it never challenges me.

Capitalist culture has trained us very effectively to value achievement, productivity, and outcomes - the yang of life. It can feel hard to give over some space and time to rest, quiet, or non-doing - to the yin.

However, some of us find greater rest in certain activities than in doing nothing at all. And sometimes, although we're ready for a pause, we'd still like to be flexing our creative muscles, albeit in a softer, more low pressure way.

Nature offers an absolute wealth of opportunities for us as both artists and humans. This course combines the two, providing a way to rest, reset and restore, ready for the next phase.

Come with me through the garden gate and I'll share with you what I know about making art in collaboration with nature, as a restful, restorative, healing activity for those downtimes, sad times, global pandemic times, and times when you need just a little creative project to keep you ticking over.

"Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature.
It will never fail you."

Frank Lloyd Wright

“Tara’s course couldn’t have come at a better time. I needed an excuse to pause, turn away from the distressing news cycle, and take some time to just explore. I find that when I remember to do that then I discover a renewed energy for my art work.”
Ann Nemcosky

This adventure into nature

is for you if:

You recently finished a project/artwork and are in the 'Afterslump' - feeling a bit flat and like a pause is in order, but still wanting to make things
You've found this year a 'challenge', and are either exhausted, drained of energy, low on inspiration, or all of the above
You haven't been in touch with nature much recently and miss it
You've never been much into nature but have an inkling it might do you some good to get to know it a bit better
You're the sort of person who doesn't find doing literally nothing very relaxing, whereas doing something simple and creative feels restorative and well-filling
You've seen my walking stories on Instagram and want more of that!
You want both comfort and inspiration just now
It's been go go go and you're ready for a bit of a slow down, a reconnection with nature {and yourself}, through the medium of art

“Tara is a brilliant facilitator with a warm heart who brings out the best in people who love making art.”
Carol-Lynn Bond

In case you're thinking something along the lines of, "But I live in the city", or "I know nothing at all about plants", fear not!

Let me reassure you that this little adventure into art and nature requires nothing more than curiosity, access to some sort of living greenery - a garden, a patio, a pot plant, a local park, a vase of flowers, herbs on the windowsill - and some art supplies.

I'm not going to teach you how to grow anything, or any Latin names for plants {I consider it exciting when I know the name of a plant at all!}. The focus is play and curiosity - and, if you like, the potential for new projects and ideas to explore - not intellectual knowledge or 'achievement'.

Hello. I'm Tara, and I'm an artist who's a little bit obsessed with nature.

I've been a city girl most of my life, and happily so. Things started to change when I moved from London to Brighton, a city on the south coast of England. And then I moved to Cornwall, and everything really changed.

My home now is both coastal and rural. I live down a mile long single track lane, and my house is surrounded by a garden, fields, and the sea. And my art has evolved literally into the landscape; I've made paintings about rock pools and life under the sea. I've explored making my own pigments and eco printing. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

So I've been both town mouse and country mouse, and while it may be easier for me now to step out of my front door and 'be in nature', I also know there are ways to find a bit of nature wherever we are.

I created this course after being hit quite hard by an Afterslump. {My word for the natural pause between creative projects - ideally a time for rest, but can feel very uncomfortable.} I'm one of those people who is less of a 'lie down and do nothing because that's supposed to be relaxing' person, and more of a 'low key fun creativity is one of my favourite ways to relax and fill the well' person. And if it means getting to be outdoors, so much the better.

Just so you know, I'm not David Attenborough! I'm still learning plant names in my local area, my gardening skills are entry level, and keeping house plants alive is still a bit hit and miss. This isn't about being green fingered, or knowing a lot about nature; it's about being willing to explore and immerse and discover, and translate your findings into art.

What you'll find inside

Into Nature

This course offers a new format - every lesson comes with an extra lesson {indicated below by a + } that supports or supplements the main objective. You can work your way through consecutively, or dip in and out depending on time and inclination.

Take a walk + Make Your Own Sketchbooks
Based on my popular 'walking stories' on Instagram, we'll start with a walk, some sketchbook play, and two quick and easy ways to make portable sketchbooks

Collecting Compositions + Same Old, Made New
A slideshow sharing ten ways to 'collect' compositions for use in your art, and then we'll use those to experience a daily natural sight with fresh eyes

Drawing from Nature + Bringing the Outside In
Abstractifying a familiar landscape, and ways to bring nature into your home & life

Life Cycles + Embellishing Your Art
Treat yourself to some flowers in the name of art, practice your observation skills, and then we'll look at some ways to add that extra spark to your work

Adventures in Clay + Sticks and Stones
We'll play with clay and use sticks and stones to make some art

Art in the Landscape + Art 'with' the landscape
Time to get all Andy Goldsworthy and explore land art, plus an intro to pigment making

Field Trip + Eco Printing
It's time to visit that place you've been wanting to go to and never found the time! I'll be doing this myself {and bringing you along}, and then we'll look at eco printing

The Essence of Things + Nature Collage
Getting to the heart of nature in your art for simple impact through paint and collage

Planting Seeds, Nurturing Shoots
A library of resources, from podcasts to videos, books to blogs, all carefully chosen to help you expand on your favourite aspects and spend more time immersing in nature and bringing it into your art.

+ 2 bonus lessons
An extra lesson video {borrowed from Loosen Up}, on making your own brushes using natural materials, and a section on exploring nature through wordplay, including that most minimal of nature inspired poetry - Haiku

Into Nature is open!

There are two ways to join the course:

Standalone Version
£149

18 creative adventures in the natural world
30+ video lessons and demos
Printable PDFs and a slideshow
A varied selection of simple and easy ideas for making art and being creative even during an 'off' period
Gorgeous visuals to help you immerse, including videos, audios, and lots of photos!
Heaps of resources to take your ideas further or sink more into the subject
My usual lashings of encouragement and forgiving, experimental approach
No expensive materials list - use what you have and maybe invest in a couple of things if you like! Links provided.

Get Into Nature

Happy Artist Studio
£49 monthly/£539 annually

The complete 'Into Nature' course {see left}

PLUS

Immediate access to 13+ other courses valued at £1500
Full access to these and all future courses for as long as you’re a member
Downloadable course PDFs and worksheets, plus audios and videos
Ask questions, receive feedback, and share with other students inside the Studio
An easy to use layout for finding and navigating the course you need
Pay monthly means you can pop in and out as you like, or pay annually and get a month free

Join the Happy Artist Studio

You can convert prices to your currency here.

"Thank goodness for your Into Nature course which is gentle and embracing - I have bought some walnut ink and look forward to experimenting."

LC

“Tara's courses bring out what no amount of art lessons can do. I've come to believe that her courses are just simply magic, via what she puts into them!”
Elizabeth Winters

Questions & Answers

Who is 'Into Nature' for?

It's for artists who have just finished a project or art work and are feeling uncomfortable in the pause before the creative cycle turns again.

It's for artists who are tired, anxious, or sad {or all of the above}, and would love something gentle, low key, and restorative to do as a way to stay creative and support their mental health and wellbeing.

It's for artists at any stage, beginner through to experienced.

It's for artists who want to reconnect with nature in as many ways as their lives will allow, and bring that into their creative life.

What materials will I need for the course?

There's no official materials list, because I'm all about you doing you, and using the materials you already have and love. I do provide a suggested list when you join the course, and links to materials I use in the videos, should you wish to add to your kit.

At minimum, I recommend a sketchbook, and some supplies that you like to use in sketchbooks - maybe a box of watercolours, pens, ink, pastels. We will be using other materials - some found in nature, others like air drying clay which are easy to get hold of.

Does it matter what part of the world I'm in?

Not at all! Once you sign up, you have full ongoing access to the course. It's not 'live', so you can take it at your own pace, and I highly recommend doing that, since this is about slowing down and low key creativity!

If you join via the Happy Artist Studio, then you'll have access not just to Into Nature, but to everything else available inside it, 24/7, for as long as you're a member. The beauty of the internet!

Can I get feedback on my work?

There are comments sections below the lessons for you to ask questions, receive responses from me, and share with fellow students. There will also be hashtags you can use on Instagram to share and connect with fellow students.

How much does the course cost?

There are two options:

A standalone version of the course: £149
As part of the Happy Artist Studio, which starts at £49 a month

You can convert prices to your currency here.

How long will I have access to the course materials?

That depends on which option you choose.

If you choose the standalone version, you have lifetime access {for as long as I'm in business!}.

If you decide to join the Happy Artist Studio, you have access to Into Nature AND all the other courses and resources in there for as long as you're a member.

Videos and audios are not downloadable, but PDFs are.

Do you accept payment in dollars/euros/other currency?

Yes! The currency is automatically converted when you check out. You can find out the price in your currency using this handy currency converter.

How much time will I need for the course?

The short {and slightly annoying} answer is, as much as you have and want to spend on it! The longer and more helpful answer is that the videos are all under 20 minutes, with many under 10, and many of the adventures can be done in less than an hour. It's up to you how deep you want to go with the ideas and how many times you want to take each adventure.

There's no time limit if you choose the standalone option as you have 'lifetime' access to it that way. If you join the Happy Artist Studio you could feasibly sign up for the monthly option, complete the course within a month and then cancel, although of course that way you lose access to it once you're no longer a member. {Plus there are lots of other courses in there to play with!}

Would this be a good course to do with kids?

While the course has been created with adults in mind, there are some lessons that would definitely be kid friendly! Many can be adapted and perhaps simplified {I would especially suggest Sticks and Stones, Land Art, and Adventures in Clay.} There is definitely leeway to introduce some of them as part of home schooling activities, or things to keep small people occupied during lockdown.

Any other questions?

If you have any other questions, you can email me at [email protected]

taraleaver.com

Feeling a bit world weary? Stuck in the pause between projects? Uninspired but missing making art?