A Celebration of Watercolor

We’ve been so lucky to have Hilary Tobin of Island Meadow Arts teaching our weekly art class this year. Hilary’s enthusiasm for artistic expression and her compassionate and attentive teaching style have allowed Nature Links participants to creatively flourish these past few months. Much of the Nature Links curriculum is guided by participants themselves, and when many expressed interest in exploring watercolors this spring, Hilary launched a unit that inspired us all to embrace this vibrant, approachable, and fun medium.

The benefits of artistic expression for folks with disabilities are innumerable. Creating art can help us all relieve stress, process emotions, obtain a sense of purpose, connect with others, and feel proud of our accomplishments. And these benefits can be achieved without purchasing hundreds of dollars worth of fancy art supplies. A palette of watercolors can be bought for just a few bucks, allowing anyone access to the sense of joy and accomplishment inherent in creative expression. Using watercolors, specifically, invites the artist to be quiet and intentional. Participants choose a goal—depicting an endangered bird or creating a gift for a loved one—and then everything else slows down, allowing them to carefully apply beautiful colors to the page, attending to only what is needed at that very moment. How mindful is that?!

Seeing Nature Links participants gain confidence in their artistic abilities this spring has been a joy to witness. Watercolors have offered an entry point into art for everyone, regardless of previous experience. Please take a moment to admire the beautiful work painted by our incredibly creative and talented group of students. There’s a good chance you’ll be inspired to grab your own brush, water, and palette to paint your way through the summer.