Alaskan Adventure: Misty Fjord National Monument

Misty Fjord National Monument was the final wilderness stop on our Alaskan cruise.  We awoke to misty peaks and Orcas swimming nearby.

As we sailed up through the narrow fjords, we could see rivulets of snowmelt cascading down the steep slopes.

As we departed the  Misty Fjord Monument area, we passed by this peculiar rock jutting up from the fjord.

A pair of Bald Eagles had made a nest at the top of the rock.

Imagine having a home with a view like this!

I hope these photos inspire you to create a drawing or painting.

Happy Creating!

My Alaskan Adventure

We've returned from our cruise in southeastern Alaska, and I will share artwork from my travels, but I thought I'd start with photos of the landscape there.

We traveled on Cunard's Queen Elizabeth, which provided our transportation and a relaxing home base for our Explorations. At the end of every shore excursion, there was a delicious hot meal, a cup of British tea, and a comfortable bed to fall into.

We had lots of opportunities for wildlife watching, from bald eagles to whales, otters, harbor seals, orcas, ravens, and black & brown bears.

Bald eagles were as plentiful as Blue Jays are back home, yet the sight of them never grew old.

Morning fog was common on our trip, and often the sun would burn off the mist and the day would turn sunny and bright.

We rode the White Pass Scenic Railroad in Skagway, Alaska, and awed at the stunning views.

My favorite day was spent at Icy Strait Point, Alaska.  I sat in the coastal rainforest among the hemlocks and spruces, listening to bald eagles calling from the canopy, and painting in my sketchbook. Every surface of the woods was moss-covered and lush.

Since returning home, I have been finishing sketches from our travels that I didn't have time to complete.  We were constantly drinking in the scenery outside our ship, or hiking somewhere.

I use photos like these to turn quick pencil drawings into watercolor sketches.

Why don't you pick out a photo from this set and make a sketch, a painting or other artwork inspired by the Alaskan landscape?

Happy Creating!

Many thanks to David of Long Story Short Photography for the use of these photos. 

Paddleboard Sketching & Nature Journaling Tips

The warmer weather has brought opportunities to pump up my inflatable paddleboard and paddle around the local state park lake.  I tuck my nature journal and a few art supplies into a bag, and float about, stopping to sketch when something catches my eye.

On this particular Sunday morning, a mature Bald Eagle flew over the lake just as we were departing the launch dock.  We followed it to its perch high above us in a lakeside oak tree.

What a magnificent bird!

Paddling up the tributary creek, the trilling song of American Toads filled the air.  

Stealing our way along the quiet backwaters, we noticed the entire bank was loaded with toads -- the males singing, and the females drawing near to listen & choose a mate.  

They didn't seem bothered by the presence of us floating serenely by.  I find I see a lot more wildlife when I travel quietly by water than I would while hiking.  The animals aren't afraid of me, and I can get closer.  

Here's the kit I take with me:

Current kit: Inktense Colored Pencils, Caran D'Ache Neocolor II crayons, Prismacolor colored pencils, sharpener, gum eraser, Pentel India ink brush pen, Faber Castell Pitt pens, Micron pens, Sakura water brush pen, & a mechanical (graphite) pencil.

I'm certain I could simplify this down quite a bit, but these are materials I love.

The only materials you really need to keep a nature journal are a journal and a pencil or pen.  

 Drawing a scene in black & white simplifies your drawing approach and your materials.  

You can always add a splash of watercolor or colored pencil when you return home.

My top three tips for beginning nature journaling are:

1) Begin simply.  

Take a few supplies to a nearby favorite natural place and make a few sketches.

2) Allow yourself time to experiment without expectations or pressure. 

Requiring yourself to make something "good" or "pretty" places a burden on you and kills joy.

3) Play in your journal often!

The more you play with your art supplies in your nature journal, the more you experience, learn, feel inspired, and improve your skills

And the richer your life becomes.

I hope you take the leap into nature journaling this spring.