You know that feeling when you’ve flown somewhere new, you get to your hotel and you can’t wait to plunk down that heavy suitcase. It drops like dead weight on the bed and you dart out the door excited to see a new city. But just because we are under a stay at home law, doesn’t mean that we need to stop exploring. Why don’t we treat our neighborhoods the same way we would treat taking in a new city?

Often we are desensitized to the wildly interesting world around us. Smith brings this to light by stating, “At any given moment, no matter where you are, there are hundreds of things around you that are interesting and worth documenting” (Smith, p. 2). Being in the middle of a pandemic that makes us stay home is a great opportunity for us to explore the world around us. Let’s experience the beauty we are immersed in everyday. Let’s soak in the intricacies that we have taken for granted.

This project will include four explorations that will teach us to observe, connect, and explore. It will be a combination of physical activity woven with artistic elements. Each assignment will start with a twenty minute wander around your neighborhood. The prompts are designed to be open ended in order to give you creative freedom and interpretation. They are designed to be flexible, you could complete them with just a pen and paper but we will demonstrate the assignments with watercolor and pen. Let’s excavate our buried dreams (Cameron p.3).

FIELD ASSIGNMENT 1- LANDSCAPE

Assignment: Create a layered landscape, see the textures and exaggerate them.

While you Wander: Look for an interesting & observe texture.

• Pick one of your favorite views

• Divide it into 6-8 layers start with the sky end with the pavement (or even what you imagine to be under the pavement)

FIELD PROJECT 2- PEOPLE

Assignment: Document the characters in your neighborhood.

While you Wander: Look for an accessory, like a face mask, or a bike helmet. Make a quick note in your sketchbook, or spend some time on your front porch.

• Pick a few of your favorites and collage them on to a page.

• Use a minimal pallet so that the shapes of their accessories

FIELD PROJECT 3 - ARCHITECTURE

Assignment: Create a collection of architecture pieces - notice patterns 

While you Wander: Pick an object, it could be doors, it could be windows, it could be headlights

• Take pictures of all the different doors, look for interesting colors and shapes 

• Pro Tip: Maybe take a bike while you wander today so you can cover more area and get a wider sampling 

• When you get back pick your favorite 9 to make a grid of doors

• Want to take it to the next level? Add three imaginary portals of your own.

FIELD PROJECT 4 - BOTANICAL

Assignment: Create a pattern out of flora you find in your neighbhood.  

While you Wander: Collect plants snaps and leaves or take pictures

• Pro Tip: Bring scissors and a bag to put them in, or else they end squished in your pocket  

• When you get back pick 5-8 and create a repeating pattern

• It is best if you have the clippings in front of you for reference. It makes the details come alive.

Additional Exercises:

Nonsensical Map: draw a looping, swirling line, make it into map, fill it with the most interesting items you find on your walk

Document the  Wildlife: pick one animal, a squirrel or bird, or a snail and draw it from all different angles.

Resources

Birch. H. (2015). Add Just Add Watercolor. Penguin Random House Company, New York. 

Cameron, J. (2002). The Artist Pathway: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity. Penguin Random House Books. 

Gregory, D. (2008). An Illustrated Life: Drawing Inspiration From the Private Sketchbooks of Artists, Illustrators and Designers. How Books.

Smith, K. (2008). How to Be an Explorer of the World: Portable Life Museum. Penguin Books.

Vasko, Z. (2015). Connections between Artistic Practice and Experiences in Nature: Considerations for how Art Education Can Engender Ecological Awareness. Canadian Review of Art Education: Research & Issues, 42(2), 69-79.