I truly loved this class! I'm still figuring out how to slot in more time to explore, but the time I did take to practice the concepts Mimi taught in this class made my time exploring absolutely magical.

 

Exploring - discovering local nature

I actually jumped on google maps to see all the trails I've been meaning to hike for the past few years. I decided to go with a dear friend of mine because I knew we both needed some sun. 

I got to the trail before she did so I got a chance to explore the visitor center and enjoy some of the local art and history displays they had featured for the month. The trail volunteers at the trail were so sweet and friendly and gave me plenty of hiking tips and suggestions on which trails to hike while I waiting too.

 

Observing - being present & noticing

Some pictures I took during the hike:

 

Reflecting - taking time to process

I loved how present I was feeling while taking pictures and just noticing how beautiful the day was.

The sky was clear blue which made the sun feel piercingly bright. The breeze still made the hike both enjoyable and bearable and I was thankful I didn't sweat too much.

The recent rains made the trails more green with life and I noticed how many flowers were blossoming along the trails.

I loved every leafy tree we passed by on the trails for the way they looked and the shade. The twisted, hollowed tree that caught my eye on the way back to the car was my favorite because the way it twisted was so interesting.

 

Creating - documenting findings

To document the day, I used the pictures I took during the hike as drawing references-- it was so nice looking back and remembering how beautiful the day was!

I learned how to draw these trees by taking Mimi's class "How to Draw a Tree | Procreate & Watercolor Sketchbook Tutorial"

you can also check out my project I posted there to see more 

Tree Sketch with Watercolor, Colored Pencils, & Acrylic Paint Pens:

Trees Drawn with Adobe Fresco on my iPad:

 

In Conclusion...

After our hike, my friend told me it was amazing for her mental health and I totally agree with her. I found this practice to be revitalizing and inspiring for my art and my everyday life. 

Thank you, Mimi, for putting this class together! I'll definitely find a way to make this practice into a regular habit