Bethan@journalingwithnature.com (Bethan Burton)

Shows

Journaling With NatureEpisode 190: Countdown to INJW 2025International Nature Journaling Week is coming up again very soon (1-7th June). In this episode we will explore the themes and ways that you can get involved in the celebration. Our overarching theme this year is Conversations With Nature. We will explore ways that we can listen, learn from, and communicate with the natural world. We will have a daily theme to focus our journaling. These daily themes will be:1. Describing the indescribable2. Playing with words3. Exploring nature through poetry4. Storytelling with nature5. Listening attentively6. Sensing the world around u...2025-05-1907 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 168: Inktober in the gardenThis month I am going to be using a prompt list to encourage myself to keep a regular garden journal again. This has been inspired by Inktober which is an art challenge where participants sketch something in ink, every day for the month of October. There is an official list, but I have created my own. I am calling this challenge Inktober in the Garden. Each prompt is just one word related to gardens and gardening and is aimed to get us thinking in different ways about the beauty of our cultivated space. Here is the list:2024-09-3005 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 154: Countdown to INJW 2024International Nature Journaling Week is coming up again soon (1-7th June) and in this episode I chat about all the ways that you can get involved during the week.Our overarching theme this year is ‘Celebrating the Cycles of Life’ and our daily themes will explore the biological processes that organisms might go through in their lifecycles. The daily themes are:Germination and emergenceGrowth and developmentMetamorphosis and transformationReproduction and replicationFruiting and dispersalDecay and decompositionRenewal and regenerationThe website for International Nature Journaling Week is: www.naturejournalingweek.com. The best way to stay in touch with...2024-05-1311 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 144: Daily weather logKeeping track of the weather can help us be more aware of, and connected with, our surroundings. Let’s create a daily weather log for one week (or longer), noting down variables relevant to our area, like precipitation, temperature, humidity, and wind speed. What do you notice about the weather in your area at this time of year? Was the weather consistent through the week or did you see lots of variation? Share your pages on social media using the hashtag #journalingwithnature or leave a comment under this post on the Journaling With Nature website. I wou...2024-01-2906 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 142: Sketch your petOur pets are a little piece of nature inside our home, and they make wonderful subjects for a nature journal page. You can sketch them while they are sleeping, playing, eating, or having a snuggle.I would love to hear stories about your pets and see your pet sketches. You can leave a message below this post on the Journaling With Nature website, tag me on social media or use the hashtag #journalingwithnature and I will see your post. -----------------Sign-up for Journaling With Nature's Newsletter to receive news and updates.You...2024-01-2108 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 132: Nature in griefIn this episode I reflect on the ways that nature supported me through the loss of my father. Have you experienced something similar in your own life? Have there been times when you have turned to nature for comfort through grief or loss?If you would like to share your story, you can send me an email (bethan@journalingwithnature.com) or you can leave a message on the Journaling With Nature website below this post. I would be touched to hear from you about this special topic. -----------------Sign-up for Journaling With Na...2023-10-0912 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 121: Become an apprenticeOur prompt this week is: Become an apprentice.Find someone who you admire, creatively, and make it a goal to study and replicate what it is you appreciate about their work. Copying is a great way to learn. Remember to always acknowledge that it is a copy if you post your work online.This prompt was inspired by artist Alisa Singh, who taught herself to draw like Michelangelo. You can see her drawings on Instagram @jellyfish_and_stone.The artist who I will be learning from is called Konstantin Dvornikov...2023-04-1704 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 113: Find your rhythmThere will be a small change to the format of the Journaling With Nature podcast, with episodes now alternating between interviews and nature journal prompts. Making time to nature journal during a busy week can be a challenge. This week's prompt invites us to search for small pockets of time in our regular routine that could be dedicated to nature journaling. This could be as simple as finding just a few minutes in your day to go outside with your sketchbook. It is amazing what you can notice and journal in a small window of time!2023-02-1306 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 94: David Lukas – Playing with language in the natural worldDavid is an author, adventurer, videographer, and nature guide. He takes ecological and scientific knowledge and weaves it into stories that captivate and connect others with nature. David sees language as a tool we can play with to learn more about the world around us.Listen to hear more about:How David knew he wanted to be a naturalist since his early years.David’s book, Language Making Nature, and the process of inventing meaningful new words.Storytelling as a tool for communicating about nature.How new words can help us communicate about current and fu...2022-06-271h 07

Pod BuffetBethan Burton of Journaling with NatureInterview with Bethan Burton, host and creator of Journaling with Nature, a podcast that interviews nature journalers from around the world and shares their passion for observing and capturing the beauty and detail of the natural world around them.PODCAST LINKJournaling With Nature https://www.journalingwithnature.com/podcastOTHER LINKSWebsite: https://www.journalingwithnature.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/journalingwithnature/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjLfZ94y-Nc5ESrYWnoOTGwInternational Nature Journaling Week https://www.naturejournalingweek.com/2021-10-1207 min

Drawing InspirationExploring Curiosity and Nature Journaling with Bethan BurtonMike talks about a very special crossover episode of this podcast. He also talks about Inktober and an NFT drop. Bethan Burton, artist and host of the “Journaling with Nature” joins the show to talk about capturing and documenting the world around us. She talks about fine-tuning your senses and using intentional curiosity to find the hidden secrets at our feet. She shares her experiences in empowering kids and adults. She also talks about the annual event that was the reason she started the podcast. Journaling with Nature Inktober Rhino Mergansers 2021-10-0430 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 50: Nature Journaling With Children of Every AgeNature journaling is a deeply rewarding experience and can be adapted to suit each child's age and interest. If you would like to learn ways that you can nature journal with the children in your life, this episode is for you. In today's solo show, I talk about how nature journaling with children looks different for different age groups. We will go into activities and techniques that can be used at each stage. Listen to hear more about:Simple things you can do to make nature journaling trips more successful with children of any ag...2021-08-0925 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 30: Christiane Weismüller – Nature journaling and creativityChristiane is an artist, writer and adult educator. She uses a range of artistic forms to explore nature in different ways, finding beauty in simplicity and poetry in the everyday things she experiences in nature. During our conversation, Christiane explains her creative process and the ways that each of these different art forms can be used to capture a different aspect of nature.Listen to hear more about:How Christiane’s family fostered her love and connection with nature in childhood.Simple ways to bring writing into our nature journal.The way nature writing can capture mem...2021-03-2940 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 28: Marina Cerra – Reconnection with art and natureMarina Cerra is an engineerby day and botanical artist by night, fitting art and nature connection into spare moments wherever she can find them, among the busyness of family life. Listen to hear more about:How Marina reconnected with nature and art. Reflections on how the simple moments in childhood can become significant in later life.How Marina manages to continue creating art while raising two young children.Adjusting our mindset to understand what is achievable during busy times.Marina’s thoughts on the benefits and drawbacks of art challenges.How paying attention to individual plant spec...2021-03-1557 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 26: Avoiding Nature Journal Overwhelm (solo show)Hello and welcome! I am so happy to be back after taking February off the podcast. While I took a break from releasing episodes, I didn't stop recording them. So, I have many wonderful new interviews to share with you in the coming weeks. This episode is in response to a question from a podcast listener called Dan. Dan asked me if I had any tips to avoid overwhelm when starting out with nature journaling. There are so many resources, blog posts, videos and workshops on nature journaling these days and it is hard to kn...2021-02-2821 min

Journaling With NatureFebruary announcementHello!Today I don’t have an episode for you but this is just a quick check-in to let you know that I’m taking February off the podcast. I’ve had a lot of complications and turmoil here lately and finding the time to invest in researching, interviewing, editing and publishing an episode every week has been a real challenge. I want to take this month to re-centre and find way that I can make this project sustainable in the long term. I absolutely LOVE creating this podcast. It has brought me deep joy...2021-02-0101 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 25: Bill Singleton – Tools, techniques & technologyBill is an artist and nature journaler living in Tucson, Arizona. He blends traditional and digital art techniques to create a unique process and style that utilises the best of both forms of art. In this interview Bill speaks in detail about his art practice - the tools, techniques and also the technology that he uses to create his work. Listen to hear more about:How Bill came to nature journaling. How setting a one-hour limitation helps Bill focus on his journal pages and capture the essence of his subject without getting too lost in detail.Ton...2021-01-2543 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 24: Kristin Link – Connecting with placeKristin Link is a fine artist and science illustrator with a focus on the natural world. Currently living off-grid in Alaska, she has nature journaled in some very remote and beautiful places, including on glaciers, in deserts and even on a scientific research vessel. Kristin’s work reflects her desire to connect with place, wherever she is in the world. Listen to hear more about:Kristin’s early influences and experiences with art and science. The importance of ‘place’ in Kristin’s work.How living off-grid connects her with the land.Her experiences as artist-in-residence at various loca...2021-01-1845 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 23: Marley Peifer – Journaling the unexpectedMarley Peifer is a nature journal educator and mentor who is also the creator of The Nature Journal show, a weekly YouTube show specifically about nature journaling. In his videos Marley takes us along with him on his adventures, nature journaling outdoors, or in extreme places. He also shares information on his process, techniques, gear and favourite art tools, as well as interviews with other nature journalers. Marley has a lot of experience mentoring others on how to create a good mindset, how to start and keep going, stay motivated, bust barriers and journal more! Listen to he...2021-01-1055 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 22: Patricia Larenas – Talking with treesPatricia Larenas is an artist and gardener with a passion for nature, and especially for trees. Her tree portraits capture the iconic trees around her in the San Francisco Bay Area. She also investigates alternative art materials through creating her own natural inks and hand-made journals. When choosing art materials, Patricia’s concern for nature is always in her mind. She prefers to use recycled paper wherever she can, uses high quality 100% cotton paper for finished pieces, and explores alternatives like xuan paper (rice paper) and bamboo.Patricia loves gardening, seed saving and how seeds can...2021-01-041h 06

Journaling With NatureEpisode 21: Professor Roger Kitching – Field notes from Borneo and beyondEmeritus Professor Roger Kitching AM is a rainforest ecologist with a focus on biology, conservation and management of invertebrate biodiversity. Roger has conducted research studies in places all over the world including Panama, China, France, Réunion, Papua New Guinea and Australia. Having kept field journals for most of his adult life, Roger has unique insights into the importance of journals for capturing details of field expeditions, both for scientific purposes and for personal memories. Listen to hear more about:Roger’s early experiences as a young naturalist in north Yorkshire.Roger’s first expeditions during...2020-12-281h 18

Journaling With NatureEpisode 20: Sterre Verbokkem – Illustrator of Wild ThingsSterre Verbokkem works under the name ‘Illustrator of Wild Things’. She lives off-grid on a mountain in Spain, with her husband and son, surrounded by nature and wildlife. She uses both digital and traditional art techniques to create magical illustrations of the things around her. Listen to hear more about:The important significance of crows in Sterre’s childhood.How Sterre started keeping a nature journal.The process of creating both digital and hand drawn nature art.How limiting materials or colours helps Sterre focus more closely on her subject and create a unified body of work...2020-12-2146 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 19: Lee Angold – Exploring colourLee Angold is a botanical and natural science illustrator with an interest in representing nature in a way that encourages others to see the detail and beauty in even simple, everyday subjects. A self-taught artist with an impressive depth of knowledge on colour and watercolour paints, Lee offers many insights into nature art and nature journaling during our conversation. Listen to hear more about:How Lee found her way back to natural science illustration via Engineering school.Experimenting with watercolour and how Lee has come to ‘know’ her paints.Her different palettes and how she develop...2020-12-1342 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 18: Tom Hunt – Every species has a storyTom is an ecologist, photographer and nature advocate with a particular passion for ornithology. Tom's work takes him to remote and beautiful locations around Australia. Listen to hear more about:Tom’s PhD research looking at bird communities along the floodplains of the Murray River.Extinction debt and how land clearing is affecting bird populations in Australia.How Tom manages hope and despair as an ecologist who sees the best and the worst aspects of nature and land management.The Threatened Species Bake-off and Tom’s culinary creations!How nature journaling has brought Tom back to ar...2020-12-071h 08

Journaling With NatureEpisode 17: Melinda Nakagawa – Nature, science, art & heartMelinda Nakagawa is a scientist, nature connection mentor and nature journal teacher. Melinda has a background in marine biology and brings a scientist’s eye to her nature journal observations. Her work is all about gently guiding others to connect with the natural world by tapping into curiosity and wonder. In this way, Melinda is able to bridge nature, science, art and heart in her work. Listen to hear more about:Melinda’s early nature experiences on her family flower farm.Melina’s ‘spark bird’ and how she came to ornithology.How sharing our joy of natur...2020-11-3059 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 16: Alex Boon - 'What else is here?'Alex Boon is a nature artist and writer from East Devon, UK. His work centres around the wildlife and landscapes of Britain and embodies a deep sense of place. From his first nature experiences as a child, through his development as an artist, to his current projects, this conversation explores Alex’s practice and process as a nature journaler and writer.Listen to hear more about:How journal keeping can preserve detailed memories of place and time.The four different types of journal Alex keeps, and why.The power of nature writing.How Alex brings his me...2020-11-2342 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 15: Tania Marien – Art, creativity and communityTania Marien is an independent educator who aims to facilitate connection with nature through her projects. Tania is the host of Talaterra podcast, a show where she investigates the contribution that freelance environmental educators make to lifelong learning in communities. In this episode Tania talks about her days creating opportunities for people to connect with plants through art and creativity.Listen to hear more about:Tania’s first memories of being in nature.How Tania started ArtPlantae, a project aimed at helping others understand and connect with plants.Using art activities to investigate plants during community ev...2020-11-1640 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 14: Julia Bausenhardt – Exploration and discovery through art and natureJulia Bausenhardt is an illustrator and nature enthusiast who teaches art techniques through connection with nature. She uses her sketchbook as a tool for exploration, experimentation and discovery.Living in the small city of Kassel, Germany, Julia uses her nature journal to explore the magical landscape that was the setting for the stories of The Brothers Grimm. As a nature journaling teacher, Julia's gentle style and enthusiasm for nature shines through and you will have the feeling that you are learning from a friend. Listen to hear more about:How nature experiences in...2020-11-0945 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 13: Robin Carlson – Fire ecology and the changing landscapeRobin Carlson is a biologist and natural science illustrator who has a deep interest in documenting how landscapes and ecological communities change over time. In particular, her work focuses on fire ecology and how habitats regenerate after fire. She comes from California, where fire is a part of life and a part of natural systems. Listen to hear more about:How Robin uses 'ecoreportage’ to closely observe her landscape and its changes over time.Art and nature journaling as a method of scientific communication.Fire ecology and the changing landscape in California.Ecological succession after disturbance.The...2020-11-021h 02

Journaling With NatureEpisode 12: John Muir Laws – Sustained, compassionate attentionJohn Muir Laws (aka Jack) is an artist, naturalist and nature journaling mentor. He has been journaling for decades, has written many books on nature journaling and is working tirelessly to bring nature into the minds and hearts of people across the world. Jack talks about how paying sustained compassionate attention to nature and to the people in our lives, profoundly changes the way we relate to each other and interact in the world. Listen to hear more about:The power of sustained compassionate attention to connect you to others and to the world around you.T...2020-10-261h 26

Journaling With NatureEpisode 11: Fiona Gillogly – Questions behind the questionsFiona Gillogly is an inspiring 17-year-old nature journaler who has taken the art of questioning to a new level. Fiona has been described by John Muir Laws as having 'insatiable curiosity' and she uses this to dive into the mysteries of nature around her.Listen to hear more about:How school and family life gave Fiona plenty of experiences in nature as a child.How a chance encounter with John Muir Laws sparked a profound friendship and began Fiona’s journey into nature journaling.How nature journaling supports and informs Fiona’s other passion: birding.How natu...2020-10-1938 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 10: Jean Mackay – The art of discoveryJean Mackay is an artist, educator and naturalist. She uses her art practice as a way of capturing and appreciating the small moments in everyday life and teaches that we can all become explorers of the world around us.Listen to hear more about:Jean’s unique educational experience during her university years.How she tackles the task of depicting complex subjects in her journal.Using simple design principles to put together a page. How the experience of listening to the dawn chorus changed her view of birding.How keeping a nature journal connects her with the...2020-10-1251 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 9: Ali Foxon – Green sketching and the pursuit of joyAli Foxon is a geographer and artist living in England. In our conversation, Ali shares how she went from being a climate change researcher and advisor, to being an artist and ‘joy spotter’ when she founded Boggy Doodles. She has created ‘green sketching’, a new way to bring together art and nature in the pursuit of joy. Listen to hear more about:Ali’s history in academic research.How sleep deprivation in her son’s first year led her to an epiphany.How nature connection can become part of your ‘Mental First Aid Kit’ during times of stress and turm...2020-10-0546 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 8: Elizabeth Mills - Nature journaling on the rocky shoreElizabeth Mills is a marine biologist, science communicator and creator of the amazing YouTube channel Marine Mumbles. She is passionate about marine life and the wonders that can be found in the ocean. In our conversation she shares many stories of bizarre and beautiful creatures that she has encountered through her work and study. Listen to hear more about:Why there are so many bizarre creatures in marine environments.How Elizabeth uses nature journaling to understand marine life.World records held by limpets and barnacles.How Elizabeth uses science communication skills in her work.Ocean optimism an...2020-09-2859 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 7: Liz Clayton Fuller - Ornithology and field sketching Liz Clayton Fuller is a scientific illustrator and nature journaler from Nashville, Tennessee. She has taught field sketching in the Galapagos, created a nature journaling course in collaboration with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and has had her illustration work published in scientific journals and bird ID guides. Listen to hear more about:How Liz came to love nature through her art.The opportunities Liz found through her collaborations with the Bird Academy at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.Liz's adventures teaching field sketching on the Galapagos.Birds and wildlife in Nashville.The funny celebrity encounter Liz...2020-09-2139 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 6: Tessina De Lille - Life of a nature artistTessina De Lille is a biologist and nature artist raising a family in Berlin, Germany. Listen to hear more about:How to juggle family life with a creative career.How to 'know' a species before you paint it.Finding your personal style as a self-taught artist. How to encourage children to connect with nature.Tools Tessina uses to create her nature art.Find Tessina's work on Instagram @speckledhandsart and at Speckled Hands Art on Etsy. Thanks for listening!www.journalingwithnature.com 2020-09-1431 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 5: Amaya Shreeve - Journaling with family and communityAmaya Shreeve is a 15-year-old nature journaler who is using her love of nature to inspire others to journal alongside her. Listen to this episode to find out:The story of how home schooling led Amaya and her family to nature journaling.How Amaya encourages her siblings and other young children to begin nature journaling.About the experience of being in a strong nature journal community and attending the first Wild Wonder nature journaling conference.Amaya's plans to continue nature journaling for life. Follow Amaya's nature journal adventures on Instagram using the handle @no.en...2020-09-0726 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 4: Amy Kirkbright - Creativity vs anxietyAmy Kirkbright is an artist from Melbourne, Australia. In this episode, Amy speaks openly about her struggles with anxiety, depression and physical illness and how these challenging times have become a driver for her creativity. Listen to this episode to find out:How creativity can help with anxiety and depression.How Amy started the Melbourne Nature Journal Club.How to nature journal with an online group.About Amy's lifelong project 'The Postcode Diaries'.Find Amy's work on her website amydiana.co and on Instagram and Facebook. Thank you for listening!...2020-08-3144 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 3: Bronwyn Smith - Life and family on ShetlandIn this episode we get to know the Smith family - Bronwyn Smith and her four nature loving girls - who live in the remote Scottish archipelago of Shetland. Listen if you want to know more about:Nature journaling with childrenHomeschooling on the roadLife and nature in this remote and beautiful placeNature journaling with your school classIf your family or school is interested in being part of a nature journal exchange, email me at bethan@journalingwithnature.com. Thanks for listening!www.journalingwithnature.com 2020-08-3133 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 2: Jules Woolford - Drawn Into NatureJules Woolford (Drawn Into Nature) spent her professional career in the environmental sector, working on projects that connected people with nature. Now she continues with this work with a focus on nature journaling, helping others see the beauty in the everyday things we see around us.Listen to hear more about how:Everyone can create art (even if you think you can't!).Nature journaling is about the journey, not the destination.Beauty can be found everywhere when we start to look at the world in a different way.Find more from Jules on her...2020-08-3151 min

Journaling With NatureEpisode 1: Getting started with nature journalingThis episode is an introduction to the podcast and what we will cover in future episodes. It is also a little introduction to nature journaling and how to get started, for people who are new to journaling. Thanks for listening!www.journalingwithnature.comInstagram: @journalingwithnatureTwitter: @bewithnatureFacebook: Journaling With Nature 2020-08-3116 min

TALATERRABethan Burton: International Nature Journaling WeekBethan Burton is a teacher, avid nature journaler, and founder of International Nature Journaling Week, an online global celebration occurring June 1-7, 2020.When did Bethan decide to make journaling her career?How does she teach nature journaling to toddlers?What is International Nature Journaling Week all about?Let's find out. LINKSJournaling with Nature (Bethan's website)Bethan on Instagram (@journalingwithnature)International Nature Journaling WeekAlfred Russel WallaceThe Sketchbook Project at Brooklyn Art Library ...2020-03-2736 min