Classes
Monday afternoons in July at Hoyt Arboretum
July 7, 14, 21, 28
1:00 – 3:00 PM
Nature connection and creative expression meet in these weekly Nature Journaling experiences led by artist Elizabeth Higgins, in-person and outdoors. With prompts and gentle guidance, students will explore a different area of the Arboretum each week, recording their observations and inspirations through writing and drawing exercises centered on themes of appreciation and curiosity. No experience is necessary. Bring a sketchbook, writing tools and any other painting or drawing supplies you enjoy using. We will meet in front of the Visitor Center and from there, hike out to various parts of the park with our materials. If you wish, please bring something small and lightweight to sit on the ground with, such as a towel or small blanket.
Register below on the Hoyt Arboretum website:
Nature Journaling at Hoyt Arboretum
Classes
Half-day nature journaling experience at the Banks-Vernonia State Trail
Sunday, August 24, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Join me in Buxton, Oregon 30 minutes west of Portland to connect to nearby nature and other people who love to be outside and create in a nature journal. This half-day nature journaling experience will take place at the Buxton Trailhead of the Banks-Vernonia State Trail, and features a beautiful wooden railroad trestle, wildflowers, sunny meadows, and a pond and stream that connect to the Tualatin River watershed. The day will begin with a 30-40 minute gentle hike that will familiarize ourselves with the space, followed by gathering at the picnic shelter for an early packed lunch, and an introduction to the watershed and wildflowers of the area. Following prompts and guidance from Elizabeth, we will work together in our journals independently and together to capture the beauty of this space.
Cost: $50.00
What to bring:
Your nature journal or sketchbook and your favorite journaling supplies…pens, pencils, small watercolor sets, watercolor pencils, etc.
A packed lunch and bottled water for drinking
A small towel, blanket or camp chair for sitting (there are also picnic tables and benches)
A sun hat and sunscreen for sunny spots
Wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes
Register by emailing Elizabeth here: e.m.higgins@comcast.net
Classes, Uncategorized
In-Person class at the Hoyt Arboretum Library
Monday afternoons in April, 1:00 – 3:00 PM
April 7, 14, 21, 28, 2025
In this series of very beginner-friendly classes, students will learn the basics of mixing and painting with watercolor paints in popular colors for nature drawings. Using just a few paints, we will focus on creating a range of nature-inspired colors using the three primaries of red, yellow and blue, as well as learning techniques for applying paint to paper. Each week will be dedicated to creating a range of hues within a color family: gorgeous greens, beautiful blues, vibrant reds and oranges, and luminous neutrals.
Learn more and register here:
Nature’s Colors at Hoyt Arboretum
Classes
4 Women Artists: Weekly Watercolor Class on Zoom
Tuesdays, 10 – 11:30 AM PST
May 6, 13, 20, 27
4 sessions $80 for live class plus recordings
$40 to receive only the recordings
Paint with me on Tuesday mornings in May and learn about 4 significant women artists of the 20th century while building fundamental skills of painting techniques, composition and color theory.
Each week will include a slideshow and art history about the featured artist, followed by a demo and the guidance for creating your own painting inspired by the artist of the week. The following four women will be studied: Alma Thomas, Paula Modersohn-Becker, Tarsal do Amaral and Tamara Lampicka (featured above). All levels are welcome; A basic knowledge of watercolor painting is required.
Supplies: Watercolor paper (I love high-quality Arches cold-press paper), professional grade watercolor paints in the your favorite colors (please include the primaries), a tube of white gouache or titanium buff, round watercolor brushes in size 8, 10 and 12, pencil, eraser, and notebook for taking notes.
Contact Elizabeth to register e.m.higgins@comcast.net
Classes, Uncategorized
“The Way of the Water”
A two-day workshop on July 30-31, 2025
Sitka Center for Art & Ecology, Otis, Oregon
Explore the threshold of sand and sea at the nearby Salmon River Estuary and create an accordion-style journal that celebrates the essential element of water, and its importance to our inner rhythms and our life on Earth. Connect to the water’s wisdom and significance as you participate in a diverse range of nature journaling techniques and nature connection activities. With prompts and gentle guidance, participants will create their own folded booklets and fill them with drawings, watercolor, stamp-carving images, writing, and other nature art techniques. The workshop will be held in two settings: half of each day in the Sitka classroom, and the other half at the nearby Salmon River.
https://sitkacenter.org/workshops/the-way-of-the-water/
WORKSHOP IS FULL
Please visit the Sitka Center website for other summer workshops
Sitka Workshops
Classes
Tuesdays, January 14 – February 11, 2025 (5 weeks)
10:00 – 11:15 AM PST / 1:00 – 2:15 PM EST
Cost: $75
Recordings only option: $40
This class was created from my personal desire to make color charts, re-learn my paints, and stay connected to my students while wintering in New York City. Each week we will meet on Zoom and create color charts from the paints we have and the possibilities they present. Learn to see color, mix color, and understand what your paints can do. I will provide weekly inspiration and guidance using reference photos that I take during my visits to NYC museums. At the end of the series, students will have a collection of color charts to reference for future paintings. Students may also choose to use each week’s color chart and its reference photo to create a painting of their own between class meetups. Contact Elizabeth via email to register or ask any questions. Click here to email Elizabeth.
View the supply list here: Color Connections Supply List
