During my MA I researched the possible health benefits from being creative with nature. It is widely known that spending time in a natural environment can benefit health and well-being. Not only that, research shows that even just handling natural items such as rocks, flowers, wood, for example, can have positive benefits. Recently, there is a great deal more study into the benefits of being creative, helping with focus, relaxation and stimulating the feel-good chemicals in the brain. So how beneficial could being creative  with nature be?

My little workshops with big benefits aim to be a multisensory experience, spending a little time in nature, and using what is found to create a series of creative implements such as paper, paint and brushes and using them to create intuitive art, that is, not masterpieces, but to spend time playing and experimenting.

One of the biggest benefits for me is environmental. I have spent over five years experimenting with a variety of recipes to create inks and paints from my garden, using as few chemicals as possible and then documenting their lightfastness and durability. Through this experimenting I have learned about the land that I live on and it's ecosystem, how it changes through the seasons and the effect that climate change is having on my small piece of land. Through this knowledge, I have a better understanding of how to care for my space and any other natural spaces that I come across. Being aware of the nature around me, not to take too much, to ensure I disturb the land as little as possible and to learn about the the items I use.