Imagine this: it’s Sunday evening, you just got back from spending the afternoon going for a walk in the forest and spending time painting, using the beauty you found in nature as your inspiration. 

How might you be feeling?

Refreshed…satisfied….delighted….grateful.

Nature has a way of doing that….replenishing your mind and body and re-inspiring your creative soul.


This is exactly why we hope you’ll join us for:

Calm + Creativity: An afternoon of mindfulness and art making in the forest

You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy and immerse yourself in nature.

Slow down, let go of some stress and take a relaxing stroll through the forest, taking in its beauty and transforming that inspiration into art. 

During this workshop you’ll get to:

  • Receive an introduction to watercolour painting and how to approach painting nature’s details 

  • Walk, spend time in nature and document the beauty that inspires you 

  • Deepen your observational skills by using your five senses to turn what you see into art 

  • Relax and reduce stress by practicing mindfulness in nature

  • Focus on painting and making art in a playful (and pressure and perfection-free) way

  • Create a beautiful piece of art to take home with you 

 

What’s included in registration:

  • Watercolour supplies (paints, brushes, paper)

  • A guided meditation

  • Prompts to spark your creativity and be playful and free in the way you paint and make art 

  • A beginner’s watercolour lesson focusing on how to find inspiration in nature, how to turn what you see into art and how to work with watercolour paint 

  • Light snack

 

WORKSHOP DETAILS

Sunday, June 25
1:00-3:00 pm

Coldstream Conservation Area
327 Quaker Ln, Middlesex Centre, ON N0M 2A0


Suitable for adults, ages 18 and up

What to bring:

  • Notebook

  • pencil/eraser

  • Yoga mat

  • Water 

  • Weather appropriate clothing 

  • Footwear for walking through the forest 

  • Bug spray

 

Meet Your Co-Facilitators

Kristin is a mom of two girls, a yoga teacher, and a self-taught watercolour artist. Her interest in capturing nature with art began with a few simple drawings of what she saw in her backyard. This evolved into a love of watercolour for its unpredictability, its flow, and the process of creating. Kristin goes back and forth between nature journaling, which is a much more detailed depiction of nature, and loose, flowy florals. Kristin had always thought of herself as a creative soul but like so many, life got in the way. Since reconnecting with her love of art, Kristin has once again found her flow.

She loves sharing her passion of art and nature with others, supporting the mindful connection that so often goes unseen. Kristin truly believes that art isn't about the final product but about the process. 

Learn more and connect with kRISTIN

Krista Kankula is a Creativity Coach and Abstract Painter. Her coaching and workshops focus on helping you access your creativity and pursue your creative passions AND do it in a way that's rooted in joy, playfulness and self-belief.

She is a certified coach and holds a diploma in recreation and leisure planning.

She believes that when you bring a playful approach to your creativity you can face the fear of “who am I to create this?” and build belief in yourself and your creative abilities - all while freeing yourself up to feel more energized, joyful and fulfilled.

She finds endless creative inspiration in watching clouds and admiring nature, especially rocks, trees and the moss that grows on them.

learn more about Krista
 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Watercolour supplies (paints, brushes, paper)

    A guided meditation

    Prompts to spark your creativity and be playful and free in the way you paint and make art

    A beginner’s watercolour lesson focusing on how to find inspiration in nature, how to turn what you see into art and how to work with watercolour paint

    Light snack

  • All registered participants will be notified by 11 am on the date of the workshop (Sunday, June 25) via email noting whether the workshop is a go or not.

    If the weather conditions are not ideal for the workshop and we need to cancel, a full refund will be issued to registered participants.

  • Notebook

    pencil/eraser

    Yoga mat

    Bottle of water

    Weather appropriate clothing (layers so you can add/take away depending on temperature)

    Footwear for walking through the forest

    Bugspray

  • You’ll want to dress for the weather and in layers as we’ll be outside for the entire duration of the workshop. You’ll also want to ensure you have proper footwear to walk through the forest.

  • Coldstream Conservation Area

    327 Quaker Ln, Middlesex Centre, ON N0M 2A0

    We’ll meet in the parking lot

    There is no admission required to enter to the conservation area.

  • Workshop registration is non-refundable; however you may transfer your workshop to a family member, friend, colleague, etc. who is interested and available to attend

    If for whatever reason the workshop facilitators need to cancel the workshop you will be refunded in full.

  • There is a port-a-potty in the parking lot.

  • The trail walk will be about 30 minutes in length and participants can walk at the pace they prefer. You’ll have time and be encouraged to stop and draw or take photos of anything that inspires you on the trail and that you may wish to paint later. You can learn more about the Coldstream Conservation area here.