4 Crafty Nature Activities to Promote ‘Ecohappiness’

By Lauren Braden

Do most birds fly south for the winter? How do leaves turn different colors? Why is each snowflake unique? If you know a little naturalist who wonders about such things, bundle them up head to toe in layers, fill a thermos with hot chocolate for frequent warm-up breaks and head out to connect with nature in its quiet season. Sketch and paint an animal.

Pack up some pencils, sketch pads, paintbrushes and a watercolor palette, then head to a nearby wetland or forest to spot wildlife. You may have to sit still for a while before you notice a bird, squirrel, deer or other animal to sketch. It’s a good idea to snap a digital photo of your animal in case it scurries away too soon. Using small, tentative pencil strokes instead of unbroken lines helps create energy and gives a sense of movement and life to your animal. Bring more life to the sketch with a finish of watercolor paint for both the animal and its surrounding landscape.

For inspiration and instruction, look for books by Molly Hashimoto, a Seattle artist who teaches connections with nature by observing, sketching or painting it. Her latest works include “Trees of the West: An Artist’s Guide” and “Birds of the West: An Artist’s Guide.”