Drawing Challenge: Shinrin Yoku

Shinrin Yoku is something I do a lot, though I hadn't known those words for it until Veronica named it the theme for her drawing challenge.

Shinrin Yoku is a Japanese phrase that translates as "forest bathing."

" A forest bathing trip involves visiting a forest for relaxation and recreation while breathing in volatile substances, called phytoncides (wood essential oils), which are antimicrobial volatile organic compounds derived from trees... It has now become a recognized relaxation and/or stress management activity in Japan." (Wikipedia, Forest bathing)

Also called "forest medicine" and "forest therapy", shinrin yoku has been promoted by the Forest Agency of the Japanese government since 1982.

It turns out that scientific evidence supports the idea that spending time in a forest is good for your health.

 "A  2007 study by researchers at Kyoto University's Graduate School of Medicine found that 'forest environments are advantageous with respect to acute emotions, especially among those experiencing chronic stress. Accordingly, shinrin-yoku may be employed as a stress reduction method, and forest environments can be viewed as therapeutic landscapes.'" ("Shinrin-yoku:The Japanese Art of Forest Bathing" by Stephen Robert Morse)

 Here I am, shinrin yoku beside the Yellowstone River in Yellowstone National Park.

My favorite  place for shinrin yoku is at Shabo-Mekaw, our 60-acre tract of gorgeous forest in Lewis County, Kentucky.

It's the perfect place to let go of my stress and just be in the moment, letting the forest 'bathe' me in its peace and beauty.

Being there never fails to calm me and give me a fresh perspective on whatever problems I may be facing. Somehow, spending time with a huge, ancient tree makes my worries seem insignificant.

So thank you, Veronica, for introducing me to the wonderful concept of "forest bathing."



To see other interpretations of shinrin yoku, go to Veronica's wonderful blog for all the links!

Drawing Challenge: Liminal

Portal

collage, 5 x 5 inches

When Veronica called the latest drawing challenge, "Liminal", I must admit that I had to look up the meaning.

1:  of or relating to a sensory threshold 

 

2:  barely perceptible

 

3:  of, relating to, or being an intermediate state, phase, or condition :  in-between, transitional liminal

state between life and death — Deborah Jowitt>

To see other interpretations, go to Veronica's beautiful blog and check out the links.

Drawing Challenge: The Key

The Key

collage,   5.75 x 4.25 inches

The key to my inspiration for making art, for me, has always been the interconnection of everything in the universe, particularly humans and the rest of the natural world.  It seems that far too many people see us as separate from nature, when we are all parts of the same interwoven universe; science tells us that we are made of the same elements and originate from the same place.  As Joni Mitchell said, "We are stardust, we are golden, we are billion year-old carbon, and we've got to get ourselves back to the garden."


Check out Veronica's beautiful blog to see other artists' interpretations of "The Key".

Drawing Challenge: Spring Break

My piece for the drawing challenge has more to with the 'break' part than 'Spring'. I've been thinking lately of travel and exploring unique and far away places where I've never been (which covers just about everywhere).

Explore

collage, 5 x 5 inches

To see what others have done for the challenge, go to Veronica Roth's blog for all the links! Thanks for hosting, Veronica!

Drawing Challenge: Vein

Heart of the World

mixed media 

This is an older piece that I thought would work perfectly for this drawing challenge - Veronica said it was okay that it wasn't new.  Hope you enjoy! Be sure to go to Veronica's blog to check out all the other interpretations of this theme!

Drawing Challenge: Aqua

Map III

mixed media collage

The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination.

                                                                                                                                   ~ Carl Rogers

It is the set of the sails, not the direction of the wind that determines which way we will go.

                                                                                                                                     ~ Jim Rohn

Veronica Roth is the hostess of this drawing challenge with the theme AQUA, so head on over to her blog to check out the links to the other artists! I can't wait to see what everyone came up with!