Praise for Master of Field Arts

Many thanks to the 155+ people who pre-ordered my new Master of Field Arts—and I’m even more happy at the wonderful feedback. When one writes a book, there is always this fear just at the back of the mind that no one will like it. Whew! Read on to enjoy some of the community enthusiasm:

"Your new book arrived yesterday. I picked it up near bedtime intending to read just the introduction. Eighty brilliant pages later, I made myself stop for the evening but picked it up again with my morning coffee. You've condensed the kind of information that I find so valuable for my interests in not only nature journaling but also in my outdoor education and docent naturalist activities. I LOVE the MAP CHAPTER—In fact I have been hunting online for a fairly specific river map to go with a family history narrative I'm currently writing. Your map chapter has INSPIRED me to stop that search and create my own and I expect, better, map! Thank You for sharing your considerable expertise.” – Kim B.

Master of Field Arts

from $35.00

My book arrived today, and I am very excited to spend some time with it! I can’t tell you what a great job you do with your books, your lessons…just everything! I am a big fan!! You are so good at sharing ideas and techniques. Thank you! – Rhonda R.

I'm impressed with your eco-centric focus on book printing and packaging. Also, I love your Field Arts Manifesto. That really sets the stage for your philosophy in the rest of the book. – Jaci E.

I appreciate all the visuals in the book, the historic images, and the examples from each of the practices explored in the chapters. – Mer B.

This book has the meatiest content book I've seen a quite awhile. – Bonnie

Master of Field Arts is a welcome companion to Roseann Hanson’s 2020 book, Nature Journaling for a Wild Life. In this second book in her Wild Life series, Hanson gives us an accessible and practical guide to advanced naturalist and field journaling skills. The lessons provide the structure and details to enable you to think and see like a naturalist, and take your observation and ability to investigate nature mysteries to the next level.

These methods connect you with old traditions of exploration and promote learning from experience. You will learn fundamental skills for journaling and recording, and ways to make your own art materials, a process that more deeply connects you to place. You will also dive deeply into reading the sky and tracks in the dust. As a bonus, Hanson gives us templates and field tools she uses in her own work. This book will help you take your nature discovery, inquiry, and journaling to mastery.” – John Muir Laws, The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling (Heyday Books)

Book Launch Party – Video

We had loads of fun at the February 19 Master of Field Arts Book Launch Party! Giveaways and a contest—can you guess what I was drawing (@22.36 min)? Meredith B. did really quickly, and won her choice of goodies from my Field Arts Shop! And congratulations to Pam M., Jaci E., Kirstie W., and Art A. who won field kit in our random drawing.

I also talk about the inspiration for the book, my process building it, and highlights of content as well as answering lots of great questions. Enjoy!

Master of Field Arts

from $35.00

Fun New Field Arts Products Released

Just in time for the holidays I’m pleased to offer several fun new field arts tools for your toolkit—I’ve carefully curated the set to enhance your in-the-field discovery process: magnification lenses, measuring tools, a special light, tweezers, and a beautiful plant press. And don’t miss the limited-edition Sky Palette with the perfect colors for capturing skies and clouds.

Mini Plant Press

I’m most excited about the beautiful handmade Mini Plant Press, which is based on one that I bought from Vince Roth in 1985 at the Southwest Research Station, where he was director. My husband, Jonathan, hand-cut the lovely 3x5” birch plywood covers and I sanded and assembled them. They are light (4.5 ounces!) and will be a fun addition to your field kit (they are also come as part of the new Field Arts Discovery Kit). I’ve had my mini press for 36 years and it’s been all over the world with me.

Our Mini Plant Press is lovingly handmade by us just for your field kit.

Mini Plant Press

$18.00

^ Click the image above for more images, details, and to order.

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Field Arts Discovery Kit

Field Arts Discovery Kit

from $39.50

The new Field Arts Discovery Kit is really fun as well—a curated collection of fields arts tools that I find indispensable. You can choose between two options, depending on which optics you want (either with a classic triplet pocket loupe at $39, or with a mini-LED-microscope at $46). Each set includes:

• Mini plant press (see above)

• Stainless steel, bent-nose tweezers for dissecting or picking up small items to study under your optics

• 2-inch hand lens magnifier

• Mini UV light for looking at critters at night—scorpions and other arthropods (and some mammals!) fluoresce under UV light

• Clear ruler with metric (15 cm) and English (6 inches) scales

• Round protractor by Helix—measure angles and draw 21 different sizes of circles perfectly (see demonstration video on the product page)

• 9x7” zippered cotton pouch with a clip ring; customize your pouch with fabric paint, ink, or embroidery

Click the image at top for more details, images, and to order, or click here.

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Sky Palette

And in very limited quantities I’m offering Sky Palettes, a mini paint kit with six colors for making perfect skies and clouds. Click the image below for more details, images, and to order:

sold out

NEW! Sky Palette (limited edition)

$33.00

Cloud catcher

Artist and author Eric Sloane (1905–1985) is said to be the finest cloud painter of his generation—his largest cloud painting is a 75-foot-long by 58-foot-tall mural that graces an entire wall of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. In one of his (many) books he mentions building a “cloud catcher box” to better study and paint clouds: a box or frame with a glass bottom that is painted black. Unlike a mirror, this won’t blind you when you try to look into it to see the reflection.

I realized I could try that using my Perspex Palette backed with black paper. Before ordering the black paper, I tested it (left) by holding a black vinyl sheet under the palette and it worked perfectly!

So now, for anyone ordering a Perspex Palette or Minimalist Paint Kit I will include a Cloud Catcher (a 9x6 black sheet of Canson artist grade paper, use tiny office clips to hold to the palette) so you, too, can catch and sketch clouds.

Clear Perspex Palette with Magnet Strip

from $13.00

Minimalist Paint Kit

$63.00

Book review: The Nature Explorer's Sketchbook

Naturalist and author Rachel Carson wrote: “A child’s world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement.”

“Our job is to keep that spark alive,” urges artist Jean Mackay, whose new book is a wonderful way to do just that.

The Nature Explorer’s Sketchbook is due out November 1 and can be pre-ordered now. I was lucky to get an advance digital copy, and I love this bright, cheerful, approachable guide to getting started nature journaling with kids (or your inner child!).

It’s full of sketches, ideas, tips, and activities, with blank pages for practice. It’s geared for ages 10+ and aspires to help kids look more closely at nature and capture what they discover with pencil, pen, and paint.

I love how there is such an emphasis on being an explorer, and that anyone can do it. After reading just a few pages, you will want to grab a pen and some colors and head outside. Teachers will find the easy steps a great way to start journaling with kids.

The details:

• Number of pages: 80

• Dimensions: 7"x10"

• $16.95

• Soft cover, with heavy paper suited for sketching with mixed media

• A perfect tool for environmental education programs, STEAM programs, or to give as a gift to young artists and nature lovers.

Find out more at: https://jeanmackayart.com/the-nature-explorers-sketchbook/

Coming up in November, two free bonus events:

• Look, See, Sketch- 11/4, 5pm EST, Offered by Tumblehome Books, this session is for youth and adults alike who enjoy exploring nature or drawing or both. Meet the author, Jean Mackay, ask questions, and draw along with Jean as she shares some activities and tips from the book to spark your curiosity.

• Art Chat- Winslow Art Center- 11/5, 10am (PST)/1pm (EST) Come talk art and creativity with Jean Mackay and Winslow director Martha Jordan. Enrollment will be linked soon.