Nature is my Medicine

Today I returned to the ruined cottage with my sketch pad and watercolours. The skies were grey but the wild coastal walk had my heart singing; and painting in the ruin had my spirit dancing....I am now inspired to run a few workshops too - will keep you posted of dates and locations.

Inspired By Nature

I keep returning to this ruin - sitting in the crumbling window looking out to the sea, I am able to get lost, let time slip away and dream...dream...dream.

I wonder who lived here, imagining them sitting around the fire; what stories they could have shared if they were here today....a timely reminder of how fragile and fleeting life is. Ruins have always fascinated me; I love how nature has weaved its way into the remaining walls of this cottage. I too, am weathered by the wild raw elements; I feel so invigorated and happy and so so grateful to be ALIVE!

I will return later this week, this time with my large canvas

Is nature your medicine?

Nature is my Medicine, my greatest Teacher and a constant source of Inspiration. Would you like to be inspired by Nature? Would you like to feel happier and healthier? Join me for one of my Nature Art Workshops this Spring and Summer. Details to follow soon…stay tuned.

Art is a Language

Art is a language, a thread, a way of communicating, a bridge that connects us to the source, to our true self, to nature.

We are part of Earth’s Community - Our relationship with Mother Earth is sacred and I wish to celebrate our interconnectedness through the language of art. I believe we are born with an innate need to feel a connection with nature. When we honour and respect our sacred relationship with Mother Earth, we heal, nature heals.

My personal belief is that nature, art and spirituality are interwoven in us, it is what makes us human. And there is an inner need to create, a need to understand ourselves and our connection and nature invites us to explore that connection, evoking emotions, thoughts and ideas that morph into a painting, a sculpture, a song, a poem, a photograph.

Mycelium

Watch the video: Mycelium

Spending time immersed in nature nurtures the whole being, body, mind, heart and spirit. This painting was inspired after spending a beautiful morning, sitting barefoot under the canopy of an old growth tree draped in an elegant coat of vibrant green moss. I could feel the energy rise from underneath the soil, where the mycelium live interwoven with tree roots; carrying their wild songs of kinship....how incredibly beautiful, spiritual and healing this energy was....painting this memory in a very different environment (lakeshore) was also very healing and brought great joy, peace and contentment....sharing my art gifts me great joy too, if you would like to learn more about my art or purchase original artwork or prints please visit my website or contact me direct, I would love to hear from you.

The Healing Power of Trees

Nature is my Medicine

Peebles, Scotland

Oh how uplifting it was to walk under the beech trees - these sacred beautiful beings lit up the pathway - inviting me - to just be....just being is enough.

The Beech symbolizes protection and can help bring clarification to your thoughts and energy. Standing tall and deeply rooted, I too felt strong and grounded. I loved how the rain emphasized the elegance of their dark sculptured limbs making their leaves sing with colour - a feast for the senses. So much light and love emanating from these beings.

Truly grateful to the trees and their healing energy.

How do the trees make you feel?

Healing with Nature

I would like to share with you a very short and simple meditation that you can do anywhere. This short version is from the Elements Meditation Series I have been creating over the last few month as part of a healing journey. I believe we are born with an innate need to feel a connection with the natural world.

Spending time among the trees and plants helps nurture our whole being - body, mind, heart and spirit. When we stand barefoot in the garden; among plants and trees, we can tune into the the wild songs of kinship through our senses. We can feel Mother Earth’s heartbeat and healing energy rise and flow into our entire being, nurturing the body, mind, heart and spirit. In this short video I use the tree to represent the Earth element.

Watch Video

Nurtured by Nature - Healing with Nature We are nature, we are love, we are light, we are beauty, we are healing… we are healing. We all know nature is a powerful medicine - now we have research to back it up.

Nature not only serves as a calming elixir to the body, but it also offers powerful therapeutic effects on the brain. It’s a must-have for physical health and cognitive function

- according to the Yale School of the Environment.

People have a deep, primal need to affiliate with our natural environments. The term for this is called biophilia, coined by social psychologist Erich Fromm in 1964, which became popularized by Harvard naturalist E.O. Wilson in the mid-1980s. Biophilia means “love of life.” The concept explains that humans have a deep-seated emotional affiliation to other living things and a yearning to affiliate with other forms of life. In an ever-increasing time where people are experiencing higher stress levels than usual, anxiety, social isolation, and distance from one another, nature can be a potent remedy. Your connection to it can help you tap into powerful physiological, psychological, and overall health-supportive forces that elicit harmony, peace, and connection.

Read full article here: https://chopra.com/.../your-brain-on-nature-finding...

Healing Together

Wishing you all a beautiful and peaceful week, know you are deeply loved, Marghanita x

Healing Energy of Water

Water is a teacher, a great healer and a mirror.

I began this painting at the ocean, her energy wild and invigorating. I felt wild and alive as I painted. I completed the painting down at the lakeshore where the water was as wild and free as the ocean but more gentle and deeply soothing. Using the lakeshore water, my paint brush dances with ease and I use a goose feather to add final detail. Spending time by water is always healing. Let the element of water cleanse you, wash away your stress and worries, let the element of water bring peace and harmony back into your life. Let yourself be wild and free-flowing.

“Deep peace of the running wave to you,

of water flowing, rising and falling,

sometimes advancing, sometimes receding…

May the stream of your life flow unimpeded!

Deep peace of the running wave to you.”

- Celtic Prayer

Wishing you all a beautiful and peaceful weekend, know you are deeply loved, Marghanita x

Prints of my original artwork are available.

“A Woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing. She goes where she will without pretence and arrives at her destination prepared to be herself and only herself.” – Maya Angelou

Ocean Heals Body Mind Spirit

Ocean invites you to breathe with her….watch the video here: 

When we breathe with ocean, her raw, wild, healing energy flows through our entire being, nurturing our body, mind, heart and spirit. Ocean has a positive impact on our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Unfortunately, not everyone can get to the wild places, so my husband and I are bringing the wild healing songs of ocean and forest to you through our new video series Nature is Our Medicine . Today we share with you our first in the series - Ocean Healing Energy Meditation - a very short and simple meditation you can do at home. 

“The mere sight and sound of water can induce a flood of neurochemicals that promote wellness, increase blood flow to the brain and heart and induce relaxation.” - Blue Mind, Wallace Nichols

Ocean Heals Body, Mind & Spirit

Breathe in the wild song of ocean and let her soothing rhythm flow into you, with every breath. Let your worries and stress dissolve, releasing all with every exhale. Standing strong and grounded, embedded in the life force of ocean, her raw wild energy flows into every part of your being and you become one with ocean…you are healing

If you enjoyed the video, I invite you to subscribe to my youtube channel here: Marghanita Hughes

This beautiful sacred land is home to the Pacheedaht First Nation - "Pacheedaht" translates to English as "Children of the Sea Foam."

water induces a meditative state that makes us happier, healthier, calmer and more creative

Nature Is Our Greatest Teacher, Healer, Inspiration - Are You Ready to Delve Deeper?

When your heart is fully awakened you hear the music and poetry of the natural world, you feel the love, and take up the invitation to play and dance with nature and when you do, the music, the love, the beauty seeps into every part of your being and how can you not feel inspired to create...it is an organic flow of love; of spirit which seeps effortlessly into your creative work. (Children do this naturally, as adults we have forgotten the natural way of flow).

New Relationship Art Program

I wish to cerebrate our relationship with nature, with each other, with all life, celebrate our interconnectedness; And I invite you to join me in this celebration, express your feelings and thoughts, putting meaning to your experiences. Nature Art gives meaning to our lives and helps us understand our relationship with nature and it allows us to have a deeper understanding of our feelings and emotions.

Soothing Balm for the Soul

My personal belief is that nature, art and spirituality are interwoven in us, it is what makes us human. And there is an inner need to create, a need to understand ourselves and our connection and nature invites us to explore that connection, evoking emotions, thoughts and ideas that morph into a painting , a sculpture, a song, a poem, a photograph. 

We are born with an innate need to feel a connection to the Natural World

Want to leran more about my new Relationship Art Program simply leave a message or contact me direct - I would love you to join us on a journey of rediscovery.

Grateful to be able to play and work on this beautiful sacred land. It is home to the Pacheedaht First Nation - "Pacheedaht" translates to English as "Children of the Sea Foam."

Wishing you all a beautiful and creative weekend, with love and gratitude on this sacred new day, Marghanita x

Storytelling with Nature - Sheep

Our first Nature Art Session for 2022 and it begins with a story…

INSPIRED BY NATURE

We gaze at one another, heart to heart, soul to soul

A Sense of Wonder

The playful sheep had me captivated by their curiosity and friendliness, not to mention their beauty. They transported me back to Scotland, my homeland. Reminding me of happy days in Perthshire where the sheep would frequently wander into our back garden. During lambing season our children would help to bottle feed lambs, a most joy filled experience, one of love and compassion. Our children learned a lot about themselves and the surrounding land growing up in the Scottish countryside. Early on, our children formed loving, lasting relationships with the natural world and it’s inhabitants

Joy-filled Learning

Through my nature based art classes I wish my students, both children and adults to learn more about themselves and the natural environment through playful art processes and soulful nature based art activities.

Nature art is certainly more challenging online than in person. Back in 2019 I closed my outdoor classroom and decided to concentrate on providing online content, inspiration and support for educators and parents. I did however continue to provide online (one to one) nature art classes each week for a very special little girl, Elise. Elise suffers from a very rare neurological disorder, Subcortical Band Heterotopia or (double cortex), Autism and Epilepsy. Nature Art helps nurture her body, mind, heart and spirit, providing a well-needed balance in her life; gifting great joy; building her confidence and a better understanding of who she is while developing her own unique art style.. Her love of the natural world and its inhabitants can be felt in her soulful artwork.

Love and Compassion

I knew as soon as I saw the sheep Elise would also be captivated and inspired to get creative. I returned to the farm the next day to video the sheep so Elise could observe them unclose and thought about what we could explore together.

Staying Warm During Winter
Keeping warm outdoors during these cold winter months in BC involves wearing appropriate clothing. Woollen hats, jumpers and scarfs are made from wool - gifted to us by the sheep. What a great starting point for our creative explorations. I have invited Elise to look out all her woollen hats, jumpers and scarfs and choose a few of her favourites that we can explore the patterns and shapes. I can’t wait to see her selection of woollies.

This will lead us onto asking how the hats and jumpers are made. Another wonderful journey to explore. The fascinating story of WOOL.

Using hat and jumper patterns as inspiration Both my colourful woollen hat and cardigan that I am using as my inspiration here, were purchased many years ago from a small artisan shop in Edinburgh, my home city, handmade by local artists.

More stories will be unravelled as we investigate the history of the knitted jumper both here in BC where the Cowichan knitting is a traditional knitting form developed by the First Nation people of the Cowichan Valley. While back in Scotland we learn about the beautiful Fair Isle and Shetland knitting patterns, and with the older students we will also explore sheep in Norway, Iceland, Australia, NewZealand and Argentina. Each country with their very own unique history and stories..…how fascinating!!!!

Playful Process Focused Art Experiences

Play is the beginning of everything. Elise will play with the wool, explore textures, colours and patterns. What happens if you pull on the wool, wrap it around other natural materials. What might happen if it gets wet or add natural inks to the wool. Offering multi sensory experiences.

These Process Focused Art Experiences help to form a relationship with the natural materials we explore.

IMAGINATION

Then an invitation to create sheep sculptures - what materials might we use? Snow is our starting point outdoors. Indoors we will start with clay. What else can we use?

Elise loves to create sculptures and figurines capturing the essence of the animal, bird or insect she has encountered. Her sculptures become her friends and her imaginations takes her on magical, playful adventures indoors and outdoors. This imaginative play leads organically into storytelling with our little sculptures both orally and illustrated. And so, as we flow hrough our learning journey, one creative adventure leads on to another.

Depending on the ages of your students you can expand on their learning experiences by delving deeper into the history of sheep and wool. Delve deeper into the stories and create your very own. The possibilities of joy filled learning are infinite when you put your imagination to work. Learning should be fun!!!

We can also learn to be a little more sustainable along the way

Have you noticed nothing is ever wasted in nature. We have become a throw away society. Socks never get repaired. One quick call to Amazon and the new socks are delivered within 48 hours (by some driver under enormous pressure to delver on time). We are so wasteful. We can look at repairing our socks, we could learn to knit. We could use old socks to make hand puppets. We can recycle old jumpers. Ask your older students how might they as individuals be more sustainable, how might our community be less wasteful.

Heart to heart soul to soul

Nature has an amazing way of knowing what you need. My time with the sheep gifted immense joy, evoked happy memories of past and oodles of inspiration for creative explorations with my students young and old.

Grateful for this sacred time with the sheep - their gentleness touched my heart and their soul whispered to mine - heart to heart - soul to soul

What a beautiful soul Don’t you think it looks like the sheep is fashioning a hat and jumper!

Let it be joyfiilled learning

More than ever, children need to have plenty of opportunities to express themselves and experience JOY, feel LOVED and NURTURED. Combing nature and art help to nurture the whole child, body, mind, heart and spirit. These playful, soulful experiences help the children discover more about themselves, offering some peace, harmony and balance back into their lives.

If you would like to learn more leave me a message or drop me an email, I would love to share this sacred journey of joyfilled learning with you.

Wishing you all a beautiful and creative week, love and gratitude Marghanita x

Supporting children's well-being with art in nature

THE NEED FOR NATURE AND ART IN EDUCATION

Method and Practice

The Arts and time in Nature are fundamental to a child’s development and combined they provide the child with creative explorations that help nurture the whole being - Body, mind, heart and spirit

"Creativity now is as important in education as literacy, and we should treat it with the same status." —Sir Ken Robinson

My work as a facilitator for joy-filled learning, is based on my own early childhood, my personal experiences as a mother of 3 and my experience coaching educators from around the world.

My tried and tested methods were borne from running an outdoor nature-based art classroom for 10 years for age groups 5 -7 years (we frequently had both, younger and older children join us for the day). The nature based art processes and activities I share here can be adapted for younger and older age groups. 

Special Offer Nature Art Bundle

Today for a limited time, I am offering FULL ACCESS to my Nature Art Programs and 3 workshops for just:

$199 (full cost $430.00)

YOU TOO can be a Facilitator for joy-filled learning providing soulful, creative nature based art explorations for your students. Tin this unique package, I share with you my Method and Practice, Personal Development modules, Process Focused Art Experiences and nature based art activities that can be infused into your curriculum. The nature art programs are fully online and self-paced. The cost of the training includes extensive digital resources both how to videos and PDF chapters ready to use.

A Sense of Wonder

Seeing with fresh eyes

What we experience as a child establishes deep rooted connections that influence our development and what we might become. I still view the world with a sense of wonder and innocence, as I did as a child. Seeing everything as if it were for the first time, with an open heart. When I stop to observe, to wonder, focus in on, say a flower or a tree, a rock or bird, it is with spirit - an open heart and a curious mind, through the eyes of a child.

Art provides us with a voice, a language to expressing our feelings and emotions. It is a language I have understood ever since I was a very young child. Creating nature art helps us form a deeper understanding of ourselves and our sacred connection to the Earth, Sea, Sky, to all creation. Art can be an act of love, reciprocating the love and beauty we receive in an abundance from our Mother Earth.

Supporting children's well-being with art in nature

Nature Art invites us to play, explore, imagine and create, helping to nurture the whole child: body, mind, heart and spirit.

Begin the New Year with a new approach

Special offer - whole bundle for just $199 (saving $250)

What you will receive in your Bundle:

• The Essentials of Nature Art

• Urban Nature Art Program

• Botanical Beach Workshop

• Dancing Under the Cedars Workshop

• Storytelling with Stick People

• Nature and Art in Education - Method and Practice

Full details of all programs and workshops in the bundle can be vied here:
EHNA Soulful Learning

PURCHASE BUNDLE NOW

"It has been a tremendous journey where I am breaking my barriers, fears, unleashing my soul and spirit through the Nature art program." - Sathya , Early childhood educator, India.

"The program was every thing I expected, and more. It touched my soul. "- Magaly Madrid - Teacher - Florida 

"When i first started the Nature Art program i wanted to reconnect with nature and the inner child hidden in me. Moreover, as a young educator I was at that time, I did not know from where to start the teaching process.  Following each and every chapter of your program I get to know myself better and I am able to offer  my students magical classes full of joy and creativity. Classes in which I find myself in. Thank you so much for everything you offered to me so far during this journey. You have been a great teacher of mine." - Dorina, Early Childhood Educator - From Greece, Teaching in Sweden 

PURCHASE BUNDLE NOW

JUST BEING IS ENOUGH

In this short video I share the importance of making time to just to be.

Watch the Video:

Slowing down to appreciate all the beauty and wonder.  Walking through the forest, towards the glowing light of the golden maple, I am reminded of William Wordsworth wonderful daffodil poem:

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils; (a host, of golden dancing leaves)

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

I crouch under the Yellow Maple and allow its golden dance and the whispering wind to flow through me. Grateful for this sacred time to just to be… to be with all of creation.

Nurtured, I head back to the cabin, gathering a few leaves along the way to remind me of the colourful joy, peace and tranquility.

I use a small piece of clay to prop the leaves up infront of the window and when the light shines in - oh my - what a joy to see them glowing once more. And of course, they are a constant source of inspiration for art explorations. This week in our nature art online class we focused in one one single leaf.

MAKING TIME TO JUST BE

To be in the moment, fully present, experiencing life as it unfolds in all its truth and purity.

We seem to be always doing, keeping ourselves busy, distracted.

I find spending time in nature, among the trees, a wonderful way of helping me relax and calming my mind.

Just Being is Enough

We need to be gentle on ourselves.
We need to make time to just be.
Taking time away from technology, to slow down and tune into the beauty and wonder of the natural world can help nourish our whole being - body, mind, heart and spirit.

If you are unable to get outdoors, you can always use your breath to calm your mind, simply by being aware of your breath - to be aware of the inhale and the exhale. Brreathing in, I calm body and mind. Breathing out, I smile, this will help you relax and be present in the moment. 

“Breathing in, I calm body and mind. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in the present moment I know this is the only moment.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

I curl up under a canopy of golden beauty and drift off to the sweet, soulful song of the Forest. Nurtured and nourished, I awake with a happy heart and an inner strength.

Maybe you too can hunt and gather a few leaves and hang them up on your window and lose yourself in their beauty and intricate detail. Joy will fill your heart.

Always say thank you for the gifts you receive and take only what you need.

Wishing you all a beautiful and peaceful weekend, with love and gratitude on this sacred new day, know you are deeply loved, Marghanita x

Note: When winds are strong do not go into the forest as trees can fall during storms.

Mother Natures Art Gallery - Botanical Beach Workshop

A place of wonder, discovery, and exploration

We Are Part of the Earth Community

Mother Natures Art Gallery - Botanical Beach

BOTANICAL BEACH - The Elements WORKSHOP/MODULE

In this unique workshop we will explore the fascinating Living Exhibition gifted to us by our Mother Earth at the Botanical Beach on Vancouver Island. (The Elements) I would like to acknowledge the land on which we gather is the traditional and ancestral homelands of the Pacheedaht First Nation.

WATCH THE VIDEO

The workshop consists of 4 /sections with 8 videos along with an accompanying PDF booklet. Below is a brief description of the 4 sections:

1. A virtual walk around the Natural Art Exhibition, slowing down to appreciate the framed live exhibits - tide pools to marvel in wonder. Thousands of species of marine invertebrates and algae that can be found here at low tide. Purple Sea Urchins have established a particular niche in the soft sandstone. Their sharp,hard spines help to wear away indentations in which they live.

Amber sandstone caves to explore, inspire and to sit quietly and find stillness with a short meditation. A beautiful soulful introduction to this sacred space.

Meditation in one of the golden-honey-amber sandstone caves - Grounded in a Sense of Place

2. Stories of the sacred land - tuning into the language of the seascape - what do the elements of air, water, earth and fire mean to us. The seascape is forever changing - reshaped by the wild raw elements of the pacific weather. The organisms that live here have to adapt to the changes. We too are shaped by our environment and especially now during these very strange times are having to adapt to a very different landscape.

Tide Pool full of jewels

Inspired by Nature

3. Taking inspiration from our virtual visit to Botanical Beach Art Gallery we explore what your personal relationship is with the land, the elements -water, fire, earth and air through playful explorations with different mediums, art processes and create abstract art that celebrates the language of the sacred land and our deep interconnectedness to all life.

Mixed Media - Layers of land - Strips of cardboard on recycled paper bag, oil pastels, coconut oil and spices

Appreciating the gifts from our Mother Earth

Mother Earth’s love and beauty are abundant, sacred and healing. Nature is my teacher, healer and inspiration and it is both an honour and a joy to reciprocate her love.

"The exchange of love between Earth and people calls forth the creative gifts of both calling for our gifts in return for hers-the reciprocal nature of life and creativity." -  Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer

Cont and pastels - Adding detail with a fallen branch

We can bring the presence of the elements, air, water, earth, fire into our daily lives

Conti and watercolour on wooden discs/tree cookies - what could you use as an alternative ? Possibly cardboard?

freedom of expression

The art activities and processes in this workshop will lead you on a creative journey you can explore and experiment in your own environment.

We Are Part of the Earth Community

4. In the last section we reflect on our creative explorations and begin a final piece of art that weaves the threads that unite us, inspired by the live exhibition - Abstract Art that celebrates the language of the sacred land and our deep inter-connectedness to all life.

remembering THE LANGUAGE OF THE LAND

This workshop is for anyone wishing to deepen their relationship with the Natural World through soulful, organic, creative explorations that nurture the “whole being” - body, mind, heart and spirit.

We know spending time in nature is therapeutic so too is creating art so when you combine both, you receive a double dose of very powerful natural medicine.

Purchase - at Discount price - $19.00 (Normal Price $39.00)

When we slow down and tune-in to Mother Nature’s sacred gifts: her beauty, wonders and language of the land, the sound and music, the movement and dance, the smell and taste of the natural world, we begin to remember our connection. Our love grows stronger and our relationship deeper and evokes emotions and feelings that can be expressed in our art.

I love how nature has framed the live art - circles and ovals dominate the seascape surface here - you can walk around this art gallery barefoot on a dry day and stop to ponder and wonder in amazement at the great masterpieces at your feet.

Rewilding our daily lives

An incredible experience that has your senses dancing with excitement. I cannot help myself from jumping up and dancing around the open aired theatre in celebration of life’s energy, the abundant love, beauty and joy that fills the air…come dance with me in celebration of our interconnectedness, our oneness with all life…

I invite you to join me on this beautiful, sacred, creative exploration

Purchase today at Discount price - $19.00 (Normal Price $39.00)

PURCHASE HERE

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The Healing Power of Nature - Forest Walk

With International Forest Day fast approaching I wanted to celebrate these enchanting sacred places and share the incredible health benefits of taking a walk in the forest.

Watch the video:

The Healing Powers of Nature

Nature as Teacher, Healer and Inspiration

I love walking and walking through these enchanting forests on Vancouver Island, you enter a land that time forgot. The towering trees, draped in moss, welcome you with their powerful calming energy. Instantly all my worries and stress evaporate as I find myself spellbound by the beauty and wonder, the music and poetry of the wild, vibrant forest. Walking in a forest can help with depression, lowers blood pressure. reduces stress. improves mood and increases ability to focus and makes you more creative.

Just 20 minutes among the trees can boost your immune system.

While we breathe in the fresh air, we breathe in phytoncides, airborne chemicals that plants give off to protect themselves from insects. Phytoncides have antibacterial and antifungal qualities which help plants fight disease. When people breathe in these chemicals, our bodies respond by increasing the number and activity of a type of white blood cell called natural killer cells or NK. These cells kill tumor- and virus-infected cells in our bodies. Ref: Dept Environmental conservation

Spending time in nature is a powerful, natural medicine during these stage and bewildering times. My walks in the forest brings harmony and balance back into my life. I always feel stronger, more relaxed and more focused after a walk among my friends, the trees. Nature’s beauty cultivates gratitude and I am truly grateful for all the earthly gifts I receive. Mother Nature is a constant inspiration for my work as an artist and educator.

The Magical World of Moss

The moss plants are like miniature forests - so tiny, making them the ideal place for fairies to hang out.

Fairy dwellings are abundant in the enchanting moss covered forest

What is moss?

Mosses are non-vascular plants in the land plant division Bryophyta. They are small (a few centimeters tall) herbaceous (non-woody) plants that absorb water and nutrients mainly through their leaves and harvest carbon dioxide and sunlight to create food by photosynthesis. There are more than 10,000 species and have been around for over 300 million years. Both mosses and lichens play an important role in a healthy habitat, because they both absorb carbon dioxide and other pollutants from the air. I am so grateful to the forests for all her earthly gifts.

Imagination

I cannot take the moss home with me, I can however, think of imaginative ways to capture the beauty and whimsical essence of the moss through creative adventures such as painting and crafting. It was spending time, among the moss in the enchanting forest in my video that gave birth to my latest little earth being.

My little Moss Being - handmade with love

Heart to Heart - Soul to Soul

In my latest painting “The Moss Dancers” I wanted to capture the aliveness of the moss and celebrate these amazing miniature forests and how sacred they are and how we are deeply connected not just to the large forests but the tiny moss forests too - to all life.

We Are One

This week I really enjoyed listening to Robin Well Kimmerer - author of Braiding Sweetgrass interview on “Why is the world so beautiful” She mentions how resilient mosses are and have this ability, rather than demanding a lot from the world, they're very creative in using what they have, rather than reaching for what they don't have” (read link below).

The Moss Dancers - Charcoal and Watercolour

Inspired By Nature

For this painting I used charcoal and watercolour - over the coming months I will be exploring how to make inks from nature and will share what I discover along the way - stay tuned!

I hope your inspired to go for a walk in the forest and if you are unable to get out to the wilder parts, maybe you can visit a local park or wooded area or pause my video at your favourite part of the forest and put on some natural sounds, take a few deep breaths and imagine you are there in the enchanting forest. Enjoy!

I invite you to subscribe to my channel for more inspiring videos. You can also find out more about my Soulful Nature Art Program here: NATURE ART PROGRAM

FOREST DAY CAN BE EVERY DAY

Together we can celebrate our forests, our interconnectedness and in doing so we can inspire others to rediscover their deep rooted connection with natural world.

Full of Gratitude

Grateful to my husband David for filming and producing this new series of videos, you can view more of his creative storytelling here: davidhughescreative

We would like to acknowledge and thank the Lkwungen People, also known as the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations communities, for allowing us to live, work and play on their lands.

Thank you for watching, see you next week, until then, wishing you a beautiful and creative week, with love and gratitude Marghanita x

References:

Robin Wall Kimmerer is the author of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teaching of Plants. She is a member of the Potawatomi First Nation and she teaches at the State University of New York in Syracuse. (Dale Kakkak) - Listen to interview here: Why Is The World So Beautiful

Dept Environmental conservation (https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/90720.html)

FREE EBOOK - FAIRY HOMES AND DEN BUILDING

“Passion is lifted from the earth itself by the muddy hands of the young; it travels along grass-stained sleeves to the heart.” ― Louv, Last Child in the Woods

Fairy house building and Den making are part of the magic that occurs when children and nature mix.

That natural- magic is part of childhood. The lack of time spend outdoors is having an effect on children’s health and well-being. What better way to help reconnect our children with the natural world than building fairy houses and constructing dens - fueling their imaginations and letting creativity flow.

Playing games that originate from a child’s imagination such as fairy house building, creating dens and lookout towers, hide and seek or simply climbing a tree are part of the magic and freedom of childhood.

Reconnecting to our children with Mother Earth’s Heart

Download your Free PDF Booklet here:

FREE BOOKLET

Reconnecting to our children with Mother Earth’s Heart through playful creative adventures

I believe in providing nature based art activities that help children bond with the natural world, helping them form a loving and lasting relationship with nature. These simple, beautiful activities such as Fairy House building, provide ways to let their imaginations run wild, express their creativity, curiosity and wonder.

Join us at Educating the Heart today - find out more about our online Nature Art Programs here:

EHNA

Let the children Play Explore Imagine Create

We Are...

We Are One

Over the last month I have been busy working on my latest Nature Art Workshop Series - We Are the Ocean. During the workshops we explore our connection with water, in this particular series the ocean. What it means to us personally and as a collective. Through creative art processes and nature based art activities we discover how water connects us, a thread that unites us.

We Protect What We Love

During our playful, creative explorations my wish is that each student young and old, form a deeper and more meaningful relationship with the natural world and a new appreciation for visual arts. In our final artwork we wish to express our feelings and emotions about the ocean and our interconnectedness, as a celebration.

This is one of my charcoal and water colour artworks that stirred in me during this incredible creative journey here at the ocean - on Vancouver Island, a most beautiful and sacred land.

We Are the Ocean - We Are One

We Are the Ocean

We are the Sea

We are the vast water, You and Me

We are the waves

the dance, the songs of the sea

We are the music, the poetry, You and Me

Truly grateful for this sacred time on Vancouver Island, the vast wild seas of the ocean and enchanting ancient forests have my spirit dancing and heart singing as I play, explore, imagine and create - how could one not be inspired! Today, I would like to acknowledge the land on which I have been exploring these last few months is within the traditional territories of the Lkwungen (Esquimalt, and Songhees), Malahat, Pacheedaht, Scia’new, T’Sou-ke and W̱SÁNEĆ (Pauquachin, Tsartlip, Tsawout, Tseycum) peoples.

Grateful to those who have shared this creative exploration with me and look forward to sharing the completed series with others in the following months. If you would like to learn more about the Ocean Workshop you can email me direct, with love and gratitude Marghanita x

The World of Make Believe

The Enchanting World of Make-Believe - While walking in the forest I came upon a magical sight - an ancient moss covered mammoth and my hand crafted fairy friends couldn't wait to go for a ride. After filming and photographing the fairies playful adventure I played a little myself with the original photographs on my computer adding a stylised oil paint effect.

An extension of my use of camera technology

As much as I love the look - I am now inspired to try and capture the "magic" and enchantment of the moss covered mammoth by hand experimenting with different mediums for a series of illustrative prints - using both the original photograph and the one with the effect - embracing technology as a creative tool and to inspire further art creations.

First I experiment with oil pastels and coconut oil - this art process is so much fun, messy and really sensory - I am just playing with some ideas - really liking the texture of this one…certainly something to work on over the coming months.

Once upon a time…

When I have more time I will explore with oil paints and other mixed medias - for now I am just allowing the story of the fairy and mammoth to evolve with each visit to the forest, the story unravels a little more….

Wishing you all a magical and enchanting week, with love and gratitude Marghanita x

Where Does Our Food Come From

A creative journey of discovering where our food comes from, in this particular journey we investigate the fascinating story of the chocolate tree. Although, we rarely think about seeds, nine out of every ten bites of food we eat today start with seeds and chocolate begins as a seed too.

Through a series of hands-on workshops the students learned about the life cycles of the chocolate tree and their significance in our culture today. Guided by local artist Marghanita Hughes, grades 3,4, and 5 students explored and observed on hikes in the forest and by the lakeshore.

Then discovered more through meditation, clay work, wire sculptures and wall hanging projects. These creative explorations helped the students recognize a deeper understanding of how interconnected we are to our food and to all life. We completed our collective journey with a short colourful dance performance.

Workshop One – The Chocolate Tree – Storytelling with Nature

We explored the culture and history of chocolate and the chocolate tree. We learned that storytelling has always been around in all cultures. Drawings and sketches, dating back to 9000 BC are another powerful form of storytelling. Having learned a bit about the chocolate tree the students were asked to close their eyes and imagine shrinking down to the size of their hand so they could explore the tree as a small being, or creature.

How did they feel – what did they see? Imagine! They explored the notion that their little stick character can also be a storyteller.

Students then created their own little book character that would share a little bit about the chocolate tree in their mini picture books.

Workshop Two – Wire Bird Sculptures

Continuing our creative exploration we discovered that birds and other living organisms play a vital role in the survival of the chocolate tree. The birds help with seed dispersal and we also learned that local fruit trees in the Okanagan also rely on other organisms for their survival. In this workshop the students looked at the work of several wire artists then made their very own wire bird sculptures.

We discussed local birds and how they can play a vital role in life cycle of our local orchards. Students learned how the lives of birds are connected with the lives of plants, trees and other animals.

Building Community through the Arts

Workshop Three – Gardening – Local Organic Farmers Visit School

We were very fortunate to have local organic orchard farmers, Jim and Lorena Wood visit the school where they presented a wonderfully inspiring hands on workshop, sharing with us the amazing benefits of growing your own fruit and vegetables.

64 students got to plant up a tomato seedling and learned how to nurture the plant once they took it home. 17 kindergarten students kept their potted tomato plants in their classroom to record the growth of each plant.

Mrs. Daley’s class planted 3 of the tomato plants in the school garden and we will be weeding and watering the garden providing yet another on going opportunity for investigation throughout the growing season.

Workshop Four – Students visit College – Bean to Bar presentation

47 students attended a fascinating workshop all about the history, culture and geographical journey of chocolate, and the processes from bean to Bar, presented by Chef Danny Capodouca (Pastry Arts Instructor)

Chef Danny had a wealth of knowledge to share with the students including his own personal journey on becoming a chef and how to make your own “healthier” chocolate. Students and teachers got to sample many chocolates, a freshly made chocolate mousse and even Danny’s very own chocolate he made in France. The students also had a tour of the chefs’ kitchens where they make, bake and invent new recipes. (Interview with Chef Danny available soon)

Workshop Five – Graphic Design and sustainability

We explored graphic design and sustainable packaging, then the students designed their very own chocolate bar wrapper.

We discussed what local ingredients could be added to our chocolate bars and ways we could promote a healthier lifestyle and help raise awareness of environmental issues. Many students decided that for every bar they sold, a donation would go to certain charities that helped endangered birds and animals.

Workshop Six – Canvas Wall-Hangings

Interbeing – Investigating a beautiful written passage by Thich Nhat Hahn – “If you were a poet”

Having identified similarities in the chocolate tree and local fruit tree life cycles, the students were invited to produce their own interpretation of “Interbeing” through a series of paintings and sketches. The students were then put into groups of 4 to collaborate with fellow student artists on a collective piece for a large canvas wall hanging using earth paint. This offered the students to communicate and collaborate as a group, to be able to be inspired by each other, and each others art work and to work as a team.

We Protect What We Love

These beautiful fabric wall hangings are the students interpretation of the passage Interbeing. The students had learned from our previous workshop that the “Cacao” tree depends upon many other living organisms, such as the birds for seed dispersal, the mother trees to protect the chocolate tree from too much sun and harsh winds, and the Midge to pollinate the tree – they explored how the local fruit trees in the Okanagan, also depend upon many other living organisms – this understanding helped inspire their stunning creations.

During our creative exploration we discovered no matter where we live in the world we are deeply connected to one another and all life. The word Interbeing, reminds us of our beautiful relationship with the natural world; with all life. The students relationship with the natural world is strengthened through meaningful nature art.

Workshop Seven – Meditation Pebbles

Following on from the Interbeing investigation the students take a closer look at our interconnection through simple meditation. Using the 4 elements, earth, water, fire and air as their source of inspiration the students visited the lakeshore at Gellatly Nut Farm.

Relaxing in the sunshine and fresh air, with the Okanagan lake and mountains as the backdrop, the students took inspiration from their surroundings to create their meditation pebbles.

They learned simple meditation exercises using their own meditation pebbles they created on site. They also created a felt pouch to store their pebbles in and a booklet to remind them of each elements meditation. Mr. Howell’s class wrote their meditation booklet in French.

Workshop Eight – Movement and Dance

Dance instructor Lucy Hazelwoodjoined us at school to invite students to investigate the beautiful classical piece of music – the  “Four Seasons” by Vivaldi. The children explored how the story of the chocolate tree could inspire movement in dance. The notion that dance can be used for story telling as well as enjoyment. We were able to simplify the idea to consider the growth of a tree and the interbeing of the weather system in this process – how one affects and interacts with the other. We identified with local trees and used the Seasons as a structure for the dance. The music was also indicative of the seasons but a secondary element in our exploration of free movement and creative dance.

Workshop Nine – Little Clay Giving Bowls 

Celebrating our inter-connectedness

Blessing Bowls: In this particular workshop we learned about clay – where it comes from and when we as humans began using it as a natural resource for making items of use, and that it is still used today.

Each student learned how to make a simple pinch pot from a piece of clay. 47 students decorated their pots inspired by local fruit trees and what they had learned about the cocoa tree.

The Aztec People used their clay vessels to drink their chocolate from and designed elaborate illustrations to decorate their bowls and vessels. The students learned about blessings (and gratitude) and how we too can be grateful for our inter connectedness; and so our little pinch pots became blessing bowls. The students were invited to create a little script for a loved one, to gift their blessing bowl, as a thank you their love just as we are grateful, for all the love we receive – from all life.

Workshop Ten – Healthy Chocolate Raw Balls and Mindful Eating

Our final creative exploration was making our very own chocolate healthy treats (raw balls)  – to share with ouraudience at the performance on 1st June. The students learned about how certain chocolate can be good for you and what chocolate is unhealthy. Their creations were made in the classroom using chef Danny’s chocolate and other local ingredients.

The students learned the importance of healthy snacks and the nutritional value of their chocolate balls.

The students also learned how to practice mindful eating. What they learned can be carried through, to make new healthy snacks at home using the knowledge they have gained from the chef and the making of their very own chocolate balls. And to be more conscious in their choices on what food (and snacks) they purchase and where they come from.

Workshop Eleven – Final Presentation to school and parents

Parents and other school students were invited to our final presentation which took place in the school gym. Students performed their short dance then headed over to their display tables where they showcased their artwork they had created over the last 6 weeks.

Sharing their stories with the visitors and some of their handmade chocolates too.

We are excited to announce the students Wall Hangings will be exhibited for the public to view - local library and the farmers barn on Gordon.

Curriculum connections

• Choosing artistic elements, processes, materials, movements, technologies, tools, techniques and environments; using combinations and selections for specific purposes in art making.

• Creating artistic works collaboratively and as an individual using ideas inspired by imagination, inquiry, experimentation, and purposeful play.

• Exploring identity, place, culture, and belonging through arts experiences.

• Observe, listen, describe, inquire and predict how artists, dancers, actors, musicians and visual artists use processes, materials, movements, technologies, tools, techniques and environments to create and communicate.

• First Peoples Principles of Learning: Learning ultimately supports the well-being of the self, the family, the community, the land, the spirits, and the ancestors. Learning is holistic, reflexive, reflective, experiential, and relational (focused on connectedness, on reciprocal relationships, and a sense of place).

• Dance is a unique language for creating and communicating.

• Science: Demonstrate curiosity for the natural world.

• Careers: Leadership requires listening to and responding to and respecting the ideas of others.

Forming a Loving Relationship with Nature through Art

Inspired by Nature - Visual Artist’s Journey

My art is all about feeling and seeing with my heart. By immersing myself among the trees, sitting with the deer, resting at the top of the mountain or walking barefoot in wild ocean or nearby lake; the water gently caressing me with it’s rhythmic poetry, it is these sacred moments of communion, a communion of souls, that I learn more about myself, my environment and my spirituality deepens - enriching ever part of my being. Fragments of these sacred moments are interwoven in my creative work. How could they not, nature, art, spirituality - they for me, are all intertwined in all our lives.

There is no separation - Heart to Heart - Soul to Soul

As an artist and educator, nature is a constant source of inspiration and my greatest teacher.

Nature is always inviting me to play, to explore, imagine and create. Creating with nature, is something I have done ever since I was a young child. There is no destination regarding my creativity, just following my curiosity and the seasons as they unfold. Like nature, I too unfold, with no agenda, opening up to the wonders and the treasure that whisper to me as I forage from the wilds and nearby nature.

A gift is not a gift until it is shared. Mother Earth gifted me the treasure - with a story to unlock - and it is both an honour and joy-filled journey to create something new with my heart, hands and spirit, continuing the beautiful circle of life and sharing the magic and wonders of this sacred planet we call earth.

CREATIVITY IS SACRED AND ANCIENT, IT'S WHAT MAKES US HUMAN

My creative process is a playful exploration...here I share a tiny glimpse into my creative life and how one playful nature exploration leads into another organic creation and the spiritual dance is afoot...a most joy-filled journey and so it goes on, flowing from one creation to the next. It is my spirit and my imagination that unlock the stories that are secretly hidden in the treasure gifted from our Mother Earth, waiting for the right moment’s. You too can unlock the beautiful stories through playful, creative exploration.

“If the artist has outer and inner eyes for nature,

nature rewards him by giving him inspiration.”

– Wassily Kandinsky

ThE HORSETAIL NYMPH

Today I would like to share with you how my Horsetail Nymph came to be.

This snake grass Nymph evolved while playing and exploring the dry grass I had collected over the winter months on my daily walks along the lakeshore, in the Okanagan, BC. I only gathered stems that had already been broken or bent by the heavy snow, giving thanks for each stem.

Nature speaks a language I understand, an inner knowing, a language I understood as a child. However, when children start school this language can get lost. I was fortunate that I had parents who understood the importance of this sacred language.

The creative journey is a meditative process. Playing with the natural materials, you begin to form a relationship…

Read the full story in :

Visual Artist - The Horsetail Nymph

We Are Part of Nature - Forming a Relationship through Creative Expression

We Are Part of Nature - Rediscovering our Connection - Nature Art Program with Marghanita

One of the things I treasure about my work with the educators who are working through my online Nature Art program is the sharing of their creative journey in their part of the world. With participants from all around the globe - it's both a privilege and a joy to experience a little slice of their culture and natural environment through their creative explorations. I find it fascinating to learn about the trees they connect with; and what natural materials they use for their creative artwork - like this beautiful self portrait from one of my Indian students, Sathyasree Subramanian

Self Portrait

The Pipal Tree

Sathya told me she visited the biggest park in Bangalore and was thrilled to find a huge Pipal tree. What a beautiful gift it was for me to see the tree she had been inspired by - what a magnificent tree - the branches look like arms reaching up to the heavens.

Her happiness and joy emanates from her colourful and radiant self portrait - what delightful treasures gifted from a most elegant tree.

What an honor it is to witness a student grow and blossom and in their doing, I too learn from their growth - what an amazing journey, an organic circle of learning and growing - of living a creative life deeply connected to our natural world.

Inspiration which came from creating my nature self portrait

The beautiful illustration evolved after she had created her self portrait - you can feel Sathya’s love, her spirit, her life and mother nature entwined - complete - one - so incredibly beautiful, peaceful and pure....she is nature and nature is Sathya.

What really warms my heart and gives me hope for the future is that Sathya will be sharing her new creative experiences with her young students along with her love and passion for the natural world.

As parents and educators we have an obligation to help foster a loving relationship with the natural world, we are part of it and to deprive a child time to play, explore, imagine and create outdoors among the trees, the birds, the flowers and the bees is denying them a part of what makes us human. During covid this may prove a little more challenging, we can however keep that relationship alive by bringing nature into the classroom, infusing nature based art activities into the curriculum.

We would love you to join our Global community today and help unite our children's hearts with mother nature's hearts through playful, creative explorations.

WHICH PROGRAM SHOULD I CHOOSE?

Sathya decided to purchase both programs, the early childhood educators Nature Art Program (4- 7years) and the Personal Development Program - the PD program is not limited to educators, it is for anyone wishing to rediscover their unique creative style and rekindle their deep rooted connection to the natural world through creative expression. This program was created after the growing need to bring harmony and balance back into our lives during these strange and bewildering times. When we combine nature and art, we provide a double dose of very powerful natural medicine.

“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder … he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.”
—Rachel Carson

You can View Nature Art Programs here: NATURE ART PROGRAMS

Nature In the City

I was out taking photos of trees in the city yesterday when a squirrel caught my attention and led me into a cemetery where upon this beautiful majestic stag lay peacefully, occasionally glancing over to another younger prince and doe...what an incredible privilege it was to sit and observe.

I had my sketch book with me and the deer seemed incredibly relaxed about my presence, the stag even seemed curious, moments when our eyes met, soul to soul. I was able to make a few little sketches - trying to capture the essence of the moment, feelings, emotions, colour, even the winter scent in the air, the gracefulness of the spirit being before me.

Truly grateful for this sacred time with these beautiful soulful beings.

There was an incredible peaceful energy in the air. Heart to Heart - Soul to Soul - I left feeling deeply loved and connected to all life.

We are one

May you all be blessed with peace during these strange and bewildering times....with love Marghanita x

One day at a time

“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” – Desmond Tutu

During these strange and bewildering times, we can feel a little lost in the dark. And yet there is so much light, so much love, so much beauty. Mother Nature is constantly reminding me of this - the wild ocean has been an inspiration for my latest oil paintings; the dark foreboding skies reflect their menasing rage on the vast ocean waters, a vibrant turquoise light cuts the darkness with it's illuminating light - no storm today.

The winds die down and the gunmetal grey in the sky turns to petrol blue with shades of emerald green - the darkness passes revealing the most exquisite array of blues like a male peacock's attire. And like a moth to the light, my heart flutters and I too am drawn to even the tiniest slither of light, pulling me in and lifting me up - I am filled with courage, faith and hope. The light is food for my soul, recharging the light within. 

Taking one day at a time, I allow the day to unfold and embrace it with an open heart. Making time for nature, just being in nature and meditating; making time to play and paint and journal, explore, examine, wonder. Journaling and painting are beautiful and nourishing ways to reflect, record and express creatively what we have noticed, experienced, wondered. They play a vital role in helping bring harmony and balance into my life.

May the light shine bright for you today and every day, May you find peace and harmony and may your light within shine bright. Sending love and light on this sacred new day, Marghanita x

Visit my Urban Nature Art Program

The Arts are Alive in the Natural World

SUNRISE - Awaking with Mother Nature

David Hughes

Mother Nature is my inspiration for my work as an artist and educator, she is also my Medicine

Below I share a short verse I wrote about a sunrise earlier this week, the video doesn’t capture the true magnificence of the early morning performance but maybe my words can help you “feel” the love and beauty.

SUNRISE - Awaking with Mother Nature

I walk barefoot on a carpet of dew drenched moss to enter the wild theatre.

Crimson red clouds part to reveal the giant blood red orange orb rising; flooding the vast waters of the ocean with it’s radiant colour.

The water ripples, creating waves of soft rose, apricot and peach; changing to crimson, lilac and violet, then melting effortlessly, into gold.

The gold fades to a softer light - a light so pure; what I have come to call God’s light. The pure light expands covering the whole sky, to the mountains and beyond.

And as the drama builds, poetry and music of the ocean fill the early (November) morning air.

Breathing in the wild raw air, the music, the poetry; the abundant love and beauty; my heart begins to sing and my spirit dances in communion with all of creation, I too, become part of the performance.

I am filled with deep gratitude for the gift of this sacred new day; grateful for the privilege to experience the arts of nature in such magnificence, the beauty and truth now embedded in my heat and soul.

May you all get to experience and be part of at least one of the performances our Mother Earth gifts us throughout each day.

For those of you who are in lockdown this (longer version of the video) performance is for you.

I hope and pray it will not be too long before we can all hold hands, free of hand sanitizer and masks and dance down by the ocean, under the giant cedars, high on the mountain tops wild and free.

Sending love and light to you all on this sacred new day, Marghanita x