Tags
etchr, etchrsketchbook, ink, nature, nature art, nature journal, pleinair, prairie, prairie art, Schulenberg prairie, sketch, sketchbook, Springbrook prairie, watercolor, winter
Once February hits, it’s difficult to be excited about winter, snow and yet more brown in the prairie. Since I’ve been determined to document the prairies in my area, I decided to focus on the weather which was on a roller coaster, typical for Chicago.
Prairie weather
© 2020 Karen A Johnson
Once I came back from Costa Rica in early March, I was definitely ready for color, but spring was still a ways off and then the pandemic came. The Schulenberg prairie was closed in April and I’ve had to get even more creative in searching out empty times and prairies in order to avoid contact with people. Fortunately there are prairie plants in unexpected places and so I can watch their progress where I find them. Spending time in nature has been healing for me in this time of fear and stress and is a reminder that God is in control and He is with us. We are not alone. Enjoy!
Spring is coming!
© 2020 Karen A Johnson
Karen's Nature Art 
Spring is starting in the wild gardens.Linn
Yes, it’s so encouraging!
The most beautiful pages, and so informative too.
Thanks, Vivienne!
You always find and/or create beautiful slices of nature for us to enjoy, whatever the weather, season or restrictions on movement. Thank you as always. Indeed we are not alone, and God uses even bloggers to cradle us in a web of relationships!
Thanks so much for your encouraging comment! I hope you’re doing well…
We are in the epicenter of the infection, now moving out from NY City to its suburbs. On Long Island we have had almost 70,000 confirmed cases and 3,300 deaths. Numbers are still increasing here, but see to be reaching a plateau as they have done in the city. We have been under self- or mandatory quarantine for about 7 weeks now. Mercifully, people are going out of their way to be helpful to one another- offers of shopping, food, gifts on our doorstep.When we dog-walkers meet around our streets, we talk at a distance! Masks are now required to enter stores (the few that are still open). Some people are getting restless, others like us are quite content being at home! No shortage of food! We worry more about our two sons and families in Brooklyn – population density is the key factor in transmission of infection. So thank the Lord, we are ok, though now looking forward to more freedom of movement, and a few hugs from friends and family, soon!! Hope all is well with you and yours.
It’s been so sad to see all the trauma happening in New York city. I’m glad you’re doing as well as can be expected. I’m glad spring is finally here!
Thanks!
Thanks, Randall!
How difficult all this has been, Karen but you have still managed to produce such beautiful artwork and have found specimens of prairie plants in unexpected places. If the conditions are right then the plant survives! We must take comfort from nature around us in these frightening times as we know that God is with us, beside us, in our hearts and loves us.
Thanks, Clare. You are so right! Nature is a wonderful reminder of God’s love for us. How quickly we forget…
Very true!
I nominate you for the Sunshine Blogger Award
Find out more about it here: https://rosesandbrimstone.com/2020/05/06/sunshine-blogger-award/
Thank you and have a wonderful day Ms Karen!
Thanks for the nomination, Stephanie!
Oh, it is a pleasure , Ms Karen! Have a wonderful week ahead.
Lovely artwork!
Inspiration is everywhere, and you are just the person to sketch it!
Thank you so much for sharing your art with us!
Thanks, Resa!
Nice work 😊
Thanks so much!
Great work! Beautiful. Found another article on nature and its aesthetics in art! Thought you would be interested- https://bit.ly/3dBe6BW!
Thanks, Axjika! What an interesting article on painting flowers through history! Monet is still one of my favorites…