Drawing from collected literature and poetry we will connect with the beauty of winter by noticing what emerges from the blank canvas of white snow. Webs of branches, pops of green moss, and animal tracks in the snow create their own compositions which will inspire us to mark different lines, strokes, and textures on our own blank page. We will create our own brushes using foraged materials from nature, exploring a variety of binding techniques, and we'll use prepared natural dyes as ink. Together, we will practice looking a little closer and deeper to find the colors and coziness on a winter day. We will have all the materials you need, and you can also bring 1 or two found pieces of winter foliage or twigs that you might want to incorporate into a brush! 

This month, we are inspired by 'A Small Poem' by Vievee Francis, and 'Be Careful' by Ed Roberson from HERE: Poems for the Planet, Edited by Elizabeth J.Coleman, available at Split Rock Books.

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Lara Shihab-Eldin is an architectural designer focused on sustainable materials. She recently completed a children’s library space which brings together literacy, play, and ecological design; inspired by the history, landscape, and industry of a Hudson River community. Lara has volunteered for the past 3 years to encourage environmental stewardship and teach outdoor education in her community. She loves teaching and learning with collaborators, outdoor educators, and children, and bringing interdisciplinary design thinking to seasonal, nature-inspired art projects!

Andrea Toscano is an artist and gardener based in Kingston NY. She currently is concentrated on in exploring how nature, art and design intersect through community outreach projects. Promoting sustainability and self-resilience through nature-based art and design projects is the core of her work. She currently assists with an outdoor learning program for children, and is inspired by facilitating hands-on learning to maintain healthy communities!