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.

Jari creating a "landscapito" of the Cloud Peak Wilderness.

Field sketching "landscapitos."

Capturing animal tracks.

Anisha getting down to business!

Everyone enjoyed the loaner Swarovski 8x32CL binoculars.

Working on our journals.

The meals were amazing.

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:

Marcia Lynn prepping the plaster for an animal track cast.

Using grids to sketch tracks with proper proportions.

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:

Roseann's demo "landscapitos" showing different views.

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

Jaci E.