Art and Nature: A Guide to Celebrating the Natural World
Let the Outdoors Inspire You
There’s something powerful about making art outside. The sound of wind in the trees, the shifting sunlight, the smell of earth – nature invites us to pause and look more closely. For many, connecting with nature through creativity is one of the most grounding and inspiring ways to make art.
This guide isn’t about rules or outcomes. It’s about experimenting, observing, and allowing the natural world to influence your process. Whether you're sitting by a river with a sketchbook or making prints from fallen leaves, the goal is to notice more and create freely.
Why Nature Sparks Creativity
Art and nature have always gone hand in hand. Here’s why being outdoors can unlock your creativity:
It shifts your perspective – when you're outside, your senses are heightened. You notice texture, light, and movement in new ways.
It encourages slowness – nature doesn’t rush, and when you work within its rhythm, your creativity has room to breathe.
It’s full of unexpected materials – from twigs and stones to mud and petals, there’s endless potential if you stay open.
It pulls you away from screens – stepping outside can help quiet the noise and invite you to be more present in your process.
Simple Ways to Make Art with Nature
You don’t need to travel far or buy fancy supplies. Here are a few easy and accessible ways to start:
Sketch or paint outdoors – even your backyard or local park can be a studio.
Make botanical prints – press leaves, flowers, or ferns onto paper using ink, watercolor, or natural dye.
Create earth-based sculptures – stack stones, weave with grasses, or build with sticks. Photograph them if they’re ephemeral.
Mix your own natural pigments – try turmeric, beet juice, coffee, or tea as a playful alternative to store-bought paint.
Keep a nature journal – combine sketches, written reflections, and collected pieces from your walks.
Let these practices be playful, meditative, and imperfect. There’s no right way to create with nature.
Tactile, Intentional, and Offline
In a world where so much happens online, creating with nature is refreshingly offline. At The Interlude, we see this kind of creativity as essential – not just for artists, but for anyone who wants to slow down and reconnect.
Guests are encouraged to:
Spend time in our riverside garden with a sketchbook or journal
Try simple projects using found natural materials
Let go of outcomes and enjoy the process of making
Whether you’re a seasoned painter or just curious about reconnecting with your creative side, nature is a welcoming co-creator.
Want to Go Deeper?
If this way of working speaks to you, you might also enjoy our blog on “Sustainable Art Practices: Creating Responsibly in a Changing World” – a deeper look at how artists are making environmentally conscious choices in their materials and process.
But for now, step outside, see what catches your eye – a stone, a leaf, a shape in the clouds – and follow wherever your creativity takes you.
