Bootcamp

, , ,

NEW - Field Arts Bootcamp at Ghost Ranch in NM

, , ,

Casa del Sol, our private lodge in the backcountry of the famous Ghost Ranch where Georgia O’Keeffe did much of her work.

Join us October 20-23, 2024 in New Mexico’s legendary Georgia O’Keefe country, at Ghost Ranch near Abiquiu for four days and three nights of pure immersion in field arts: nature journaling, field sketching and watercolor, animal tracking, birdwatching, reading the weather, using field optics, found pigments and inks, and much more.

Imagine the luxury of doing nothing but exploring wild nature and journaling in a cohort of like-minded fellow journalers . . . and with customized one-on-one feedback and skills-specific tutoring throughout the whole experience.

The Field Arts Boot Camp is suitable for beginners to advanced journalers, as your Boot Camp experience is tailored to your appropriate level. Nurturing, inquisitive, and expansive.

No excuses. Just pure nature journaling growth and mindset.

What’s included:

  • One-on-one attention in areas in which you would like to improve;

  • Skills-specific mini-tutorials in field arts such as sketching, watercolor, nature writing, animal tracking, reading the weather, and using optics;

  • Accommodations in at the legendary Ghost Ranch in the remote and private Casa del Sol lodge, with four different pricing options;

  • Shuttle from Albuquerque, NM, to and from the ranch, departing at 8:00 am October 20 (Sunday) and returning late October 23 (Wednesday)—we will have suggested lodging options in Albuquerque near the airport;

  • Wine, beer, and other beverages and snacks happy hour each evening;

  • All meals from lunch on Sunday through lunch on Wednesday;

  • Use of Swarovski Optics binoculars throughout the Bootcamp.

Pricing from $895 per person for camping option.



, ,

NEW session added for Sonoran Desert Field Arts Bootcamp

, ,

Due to popular demand, we are adding a second session of the Sonoran Desert Field Arts Bootcamp starting one day after the first—it will run from April 4 through lunch on Friday, April 7.

Southern Arizona in spring is magical—and southern Arizona in spring at a private ranch alongside a perennial river and a mythical wilderness is the best ever—and a rare opportunity not to be missed.

From April 4 – 7, this will be four days of pure immersion in field arts: nature journaling, field sketching and watercolor, animal tracking, birdwatching, reading the weather, using field optics, found pigments and inks, and much more.

The setting is a private ranch along Aravaipa Creek about 90 minutes north of Tucson, Arizona. These are ancestral lands of the Apache people, who used the fertile riverside valley for seasonal crops.

Your accommodations are comfortable but not high luxury—think 1970s big ranch house set in a grassy meadow, with a burbling creek running alongside; meals will be included and there is an optional van shuttle from the Tucson airport.

And new for this bootcamp—a camping option if you have your own vehicle and camp setup; there is a modern bathroom for campers. Our really low pricing reflects these options!

We’ll be able to host up to 20 participants because of the camping option, and there will be two instructors—Roseann & Jonathan Hanson. For details and to register, >CLICK HERE!<

Don’t delay — this is going to fill very quickly!

Fun videos — about one of our field arts activities, and a sneak-peek at the peaceful setting. Sound for both!

, ,

Sonoran Desert Field Arts Bootcamp – registration open!

, ,

Southern Arizona in spring is magical—and southern Arizona in spring at a private ranch alongside a perennial river and a mythical wilderness is the best ever—and a rare opportunity not to be missed.

From March 30 to April 2, 2023, this will be four days of pure immersion in field arts: nature journaling, field sketching and watercolor, animal tracking, birdwatching, reading the weather, using field optics, found pigments and inks, and much more.

The setting is a private ranch along Aravaipa Creek about 90 minutes north of Tucson, Arizona. These are ancestral lands of the Apache people, who used the fertile riverside valley for seasonal crops.

Your accommodations are comfortable but not high luxury—think 1970s big ranch house set in a grassy meadow, with a burbling creek running alongside; meals will be included and there is an optional van shuttle from the Tucson airport.

And new for this bootcamp—a camping option if you have your own vehicle and camp setup; there is a modern bathroom for campers. Our really low pricing reflects these options!

We’ll be able to host up to 21 participants because of the camping option, and there will be two instructors—Roseann & Jonathan Hanson. For details and to register, >CLICK HERE!<

Don’t delay — this is going to fill very quickly!

Fun videos — about one of our field arts activities, and a sneak-peek at the peaceful setting. Sound for both!

Just added: Baja Field Arts Bootcamp!

Join me for a trip of a lifetime February 11–17, 2023 to a private camp in Baja to see the world-renowned gray whales. We will spend three days and two nights camping on the shores of magical Magdalena Bay, with daily small-boat trips to join the whales and other sea mammals and birds, then we’ll spend a full day off Loreto, on the Sea of Cortez side, snorkeling (and journaling!) with sea lions and other wildlife of Isla Coronado. I’ll also be offering an optional one-day extension at the end to head into the interior cañons to view 6,000-year-old rock art and taste local wines in the shade of ancient fig trees at a Spanish mission site (includes hotel in Loreto).

This will be five-plus days of pure immersion in field arts: nature journaling, field sketching and watercolor, animal tracking, birdwatching, reading the weather, using field optics, found pigments and inks, and much more. I’ll also supply everyone with Rite In the Rain journals / paper and pens, and underwater writing slates so we can journal in the boats and while snorkeling!

Imagine the luxury of doing nothing but exploring wild nature and journaling in a cohort of like-minded fellow journalers . . . and with customized one-on-one feedback and skills-specific tutoring throughout the whole experience.

The Field Arts Boot Camp is suitable for beginners to advanced journalers, as your Boot Camp experience is tailored to your appropriate level. Nurturing, inquisitive, and expansive.

No excuses. Just pure nature journaling growth and mindset.

What’s included:

  • One-on-one attention in areas in which you would like to improve;

  • Skills-specific mini-tutorials in field arts such as sketching, watercolor, nature writing, animal tracking, reading the weather, and using optics;

  • Marine biology naturalists and local experts;

  • Accommodations on arrival / last day in at the gracious Hacienda del Sol in Loreto and at a private camp at Magdalena Bay (two-person large tents with two cots and bedding);

  • Twice-daily boat excursions for close-up whale viewing (see details here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U70T4OilANQ&t=92s )

  • Vans from Loreto to camp and back (and for the optional Rock Art extension);

  • Wine and beer happy hour each evening;

  • All meals from dinner on Saturday through breakfast on Thursday (or lunch and dinner through Friday if Rock Art extension added);

  • Use of Swarovski Optics binoculars throughout the Bootcamp.

  • Field kits, including Rite In the Rain waterproof paper and pens, and a writing slate for snorkel-sketching.

Pricing:

  • Base cost, one person – $2,550

  • Single supplement, hotel – $200

  • Single supplement, camp (only 2 available) – $300

  • Optional one-day Rock Art extension to San Javier (hotel incl.) – $350

Space is very limited for this amazing trip of a lifetime!

, , ,

Wyoming Field Arts Bootcamp report

, , ,

Jaci E. sketching on Peralta Creek.

As a beginner, I loved all the sessions! I loved the day you taught the “landscapitos” and then we all went out in the meadow to paint. I felt like your one-on-one tutorials in the field were very valuable. You have taught me how I can simplify my journaling which will result in my actually doing more journaling in the future. Thank you for a wonderful experience! – Tammie A., Wyoming Field Arts Bootcamp participant

I’ve just returned to Arizona after a very fun first Field Arts Bootcamp in Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains above Sheridan.

Sixteen participants unplugged from the distracting digital world and spent four blissful days plugged into pure nature: learning, sketching, painting, writing, exploring, investigating, and socializing with like-minded “nature nerds” — it was so much fun we didn’t want it to end!

Each day began with an early bird-and-animal-tracks walk, then a delicious breakfast prepared by the chef, Abi Hedrick (who was so attentive, talented, and lovely, we all wanted to adopt her!). An optional morning tutorial was then followed by free time to work on journal entries. Another delicious lunch, followed by an afternoon tutorial (also optional) and more free time.

Tutorial subjects included:

  • Using Field Optics (we provided a loaner 8x32 CL Swarovski binocular for every participant!)

  • Getting Over the Fear of the Blank Page

  • Philosophies of Page Layout

  • Landscapito Drawing Tips and Using Grids for Easy Proportions

  • Watercolors Made Easy: Mixing Colors with a Triad

  • Animal Tracking Basics plus Tracing Tracks and Make Plaster Casts

  • Making a Cyanometer

  • And a “bring it all together” session by the creek to create quick sketches

 

measuring, photographing, sketching, and making paster casts of animal tracks:

 

Putting it all together: creating a “landscapito” of peralta creek (aka “little giggling creek”)

We all sketched the same creek, and it’s fun to see all the different visions and styles:

In addition, everyone got a specially made 14-card “Bootcamp Calisthenics” set (laminated and with a ring binder) for self-guided journaling “workouts” along with an animal track tip card and fun goodies to play with.

By happy hour we were all ready to gather and enjoy wine or sparkling water and share our journals and a cheerful fire in the great room. Dinner was always delicious, and we often went on further explorations afterwards, since dark was not until after 9 pm.

 

happy hours and journal shares:

 

We’ll definitely be returning to the Spear-O Wigwam ranch in the Bighorn Mountains next summer (around the third week of June 2023). I’m also booking new venues for later 2022 and into 2023 and 2024: northern New Mexico (Ghost Ranch, near Abiquiu), Arizona, and Alaska, as well as the Midwest and Eastern U.S. and in England.

Bootcamp participants as well as those on my Bootcamp Interest List will get first dibs on slots opening up! Please visit the Bootcamp page here: https://www.exploringoverland.com/field-arts-bootcamps

Scenes from around the ranch (by Mary Jo Watters)