Nature Journaling in the Seton Style A workshop for children

Noted artist Margy O’Brien leads one of two “Journaling in the Seton Style” workshops in the New Mexico History Museum classroom as part of the new exhibit, Wild at Heart: Ernest Thompson Seton. The workshops are free; reserve a space by calling 505-476-5106. Journaling in the Seton Style for Children takes place from 10 am to 1 pm, Saturday, July 10, in the History Museum Classroom.

Children 10-14 will use imagination and curiosity as they interpret bones, shells, seedpods and more through writing and sketching. O’Brien will bring a variety of materials and lead exercises in guided looking and drawing.  Writing prompts will be suggested to complement the sketching.  See her sketchbooks and learn ways to set up your own nature journal. Bring your favorite sketching pencils; paper will be provided.

Ernest Thompson Seton used his field observations in nature as the springboard to a lifetime of conservation, including numerous books and artwork featuring realistic wildlife. His life is celebrated in Wild at Heart: Ernest Thompson Seton, an original exhibit through May 8, 2011. The exhibit is presented with special support from the Academy for the Love of Learning, home of the Seton Legacy Project in Santa Fe.

A full year of special events, including workshops, tours of Seton Castle and performances by storytellers, accompany the exhibit. For details, go to http://media.museumofnewmexico.org/events.php?action=detail&eventID=644.

O’Brien’s work is included as part of another new exhibit, Drawing on Nature, at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History in Albuquerque (http://www.nmnaturalhistory.org/exhibits/2010DrawingonNature.html). The exhibit features the journals of 30 women, including scientists, writers, photographers, designers, teachers and wilderness guides.

“If children draw a tree, they begin to see with understanding, and that builds a bonding, or caring about what they’ve drawn in their journals,” O’Brien said. “There’s a long history of recording what we see, of noting the results of our curiosity about the world. Cave wall paintings, Leonardo da Vinci’s journals, and explorer’s logbooks are all ways of detailing discoveries and adventures.”

Funding for the Seton exhibit and programming events was made possible by the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs; National Park Service/Save Our Treasures Grant Program; Museum of New Mexico Foundation; New Mexico History Museum Opening Gala Committee; Phyllis and Edward Gladden Endowment Fund; Herzstein Family Endowment Fund; and the Palace Guard.