ABOUT GWEN
As an eco-artist, I celebrate the natural world through my work. My drawings, paintings, pastels and installations describe the complex, beautiful ecosystems of which we humans are a part. They tell the story of wetlands, forests, fields and oceans and of the biodiverse multiplicity of species which inhabit them.
The natural world is a great gift to those who know it and it is in the unwrapping of that gift that we come to meet and name its inhabitants. To this end I practice and teach nature journaling, which supports so well the practice of observing and recording flora and fauna and their habitats.
My hope is that we will all, in our own ways, seek and find harmony with our ecosystem.
In the Studio
My studio isn’t just a space where I create art. It’s where friends gather and art comes into being.
Documenting Biodiversity
Documenting and teaching people about local biodiversity is a particular passion of mine. This desire to document our local environment inspired the creation of our Young Naturalists camps which I hope will continue for many years to come.
A Captivating Space
My studio is bright and airy with lots of space for hanging my various works in progress. It’s delightful to wile away the hours here, to hold private classes or to invite friends to gather for an evening of creativity.
Nature Journalling
I love the very personal connection with the natural world that nature journaling
fosters. Although I learned a great deal from my scientist parents and from formal education, the experience of continually observing and recording has really deepened my understanding.
Teaching the next generation
Teaching is a small but critical part of my work.
I believe it is so important to ensure that the next generation is exposed to the wonders of our natural world.
So, in the summer of 2023, we launched our Young Naturalists Program. That summer, we provided four half-day art and nature workshops to a small group of seven and eight-year-olds at Gallery 215. In July of 2024, we held a two-week morning program for 5 to 10-year-olds at the High Tides Centre, the ideal location for exploring the unique beauty of our ecosystem. We walked, explored, observed and collected in a number of environments within a half-hour radius of the centre and then engaged in a wide variety of art projects and activities connected with what we had learned. With the support of local organizations and grant funding, we can keep registration costs low while delivering an engaging program that participants enjoy immensely. We hope to repeat and build on this experience during the summer of 2025.
A group of us volunteered with 4-H to create two pollinator gardens last summer. In these photos, children busily plant swamp milkweed for monarch butterflies.
Building connections with the natural world is of enormous personal and societal benefit for learners of any age. To that end, I continue pursuing nature-related learning experiences, e.g., a Master Naturalists Certificate at Lakehead University a couple of years ago. I’ve enjoyed leading nature journaling workshops and teaching classes to adult learners.
Supporting change through art and education!
There are so many wonderful people and organizations making a difference in the world by using their talent to draw attention to important issues that affect our natural world. It’s extremely important to me to ensure that we make people aware of the wonder of the natural world that surrounds us all, of the threat it faces from climate change, development and the lack of connection that seems so prevalent in our modern era. For me supporting organizations that are making effort to change the world through art and education is as fundamental as the air we breathe. If you would like to discuss support opportunities, or partnership on an artistic initiative, get in touch!
Birds Canada
Birds Canada is a national charitable organization dedicated to bird conservation. Every day, thousands of caring donors, passionate staff, and more than 74,000 volunteers are taking action to help save wild birds and their habitats. Together, we are Canada’s voice for birds.
David Suzuki Foundation
Founded in 1990, the David Suzuki Foundation is a national, bilingual, non-profit organization headquartered in Vancouver, with offices in Toronto and Montreal.
Through evidence-based research, education and policy analysis, we work to conserve and protect the natural environment and help create a sustainable Canada. We regularly collaborate with non-profit and community organizations, all levels of government, businesses and individuals.
Nova Scotia Nature Trust
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust was created to protect and conserve our province’s incredible natural legacy. We work directly to save outstanding natural areas through land conservation. We use a strategic, science-driven approach to identify and protect the most threatened, unique and significant natural areas.
Ducks Unlimited
We conserve, restore and manage wetlands and grasslands to benefit waterfowl, wildlife and people. Our goal is to ensure abundant wetlands and waterfowl for generations to come while improving Canadian lives. Waterfowl are migratory. That’s why our conservation efforts impact diverse areas nationwide—including your community.
Other Links
The BEST source for anything related to nature journaling.
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