Nature Journal Entries, June 7 - 11 2015

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This is my very first page in the first book I made in the book binding class I took in May. You can read about that HERE  and HERE.  It is such a joy to be working in a book that I made from scratch. It brings an incredible sense of ownership and creativity. 

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The book is filled with Gutenberg 130 gms2 paper, something that is completely new to me, and something that I was a little skeptical of, given my penchant for really heavy weight paper. However, this paper does not disappoint. I think I was ready for it after the Fake Journal project in April where I intentionally wanted my paper to warp, wrinkle and crinkle, not that this paper does that really. It takes a fair amount of wet media, both gouache and watercolor, and it gently ripples, slightly, and that goes away mostly after the book has been closed for a bit. But this lovely textured, cream colored paper has a distinctly old world feel to it with it little flecks of brown and grey bits and the slight wave of the paper after wet media use makes it seem vintage, or antique or something. I don't know exactly what to call it  but I love it! Maybe Wabi Sabi is closer to what I'm thinking of.

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I did a good deal of testing on scraps of this paper before I started the book so I  had an idea of what to expect.  I found that though I  love-love-love my Platinum Carbon fountain pen it's a bit too scratchy on this paper so I've gone back to using my TWSBI Mini (another fav) which I uncapped and sketched with without a single skip or problem after not using it for a year, no kidding, that's one of the reasons I love that pen, reliability, and smooth sketching. I'm also back to using Noodler's Lexington Gray ink. I had forgotten how perfectly lovely that ink is. 

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In this sketch I used my other obsession,the Pentel Pocket Brush Pen, and you can see how amazing it it on the textured Gutenberg. Love, especially for the figures. 

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Now to talk a little about nature study. I find it so renewing to sit in nature and observe, to become part of the habitat. I know that I am extremely fortunate to have a beaver pond on my property, along with a marsh and then upland grassy areas and woods. There is an astounding amount of wildlife making its home here or counting the pond as part of its territory or using it simply as a feeding place and watering hole.

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Over the years I have come to count many of the species here as my friends and companions. In a suburban environment I think the animals and birds get accustomed to humans and tolerate my presence. Deer especially are friendly, the cat birds are my constant companions, and the river otters, though generally thought to be rather shy, I find very curious about me. 

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Of course I believe that they can sense my intention when I am sitting quietly in their world. I am open, and loving in my intent towards them and I think they sense that. Even my encounters with the very large (and magnificent) Eastern Coyote aka Coywolf bears this out.  Make no mistake,I fully realize the Coywolf is a fierce predator and in the wrong circumstances would eat me for dinner (!), so exercise extreme caution should you encounter one, but when I encounter one (and this has usually been from a distance of, at my closest encounter probably 150-200 feet) I have an immediate respect and genuine love for them which I can't help but think they sense. Part of that respect does mean of course that I look away and move away calmly, but quickly. We share this planet with so many wonderful, fascinating creatures and I count it a rare privileged to be able to walk among them.