Finding My Way Back

Embracing the heaviness of grief as part of the healing process

Art and nature possess a remarkable ability to soothe our souls and heal our hearts, offering respite from life's burdens. Life's journey is a constant evolution, marked by moments of being lost and finding ourselves anew.

Last year tested my emotional resilience like never before. I returned to my homeland Scotland to care for my brother, who was battling a terminal brain tumour. Amidst the turmoil of his illness and eventual passing, I found myself adrift upon my return to British Columbia. The weight of grief pressed heavily upon me, a burden I had carried bravely but now needed to confront.

Like nature, we are ever-changing—a beautiful, cyclical dance of growth and transformation. Embracing the heaviness of grief as part of the healing process, I came to view it as a blessing.
Despite the weightiness that surrounds us, the world teems with joy, beauty, and love. By turning inward, we tap into these higher vibrations, creating a ripple of peace that extends outward.

I would like to invite you to view my healing art jouney in the PDF below.

Simply click on the link below and you can view the Art at your leisure.

FINDING MY WAY BACK PDF

Through a journey of creative explorations inspired by nature, I rediscovered joy, peace, and harmony. Maybe as you view the paintings, you may experience a sense of peace.

click below to view:

FINDING MY WAY BACK PDF

Thank you for taking the time to view my art, may your week be filled with abundant joy and peace, sending love and light on this sacred new day, Marghanita x


Nature Art Module - Sheep - Wool and Storytelling


In this inspiring Module we explore the fascinating story of Sheep and Wool through creative explorations which will undoubtedly evoke further enquiries into history, culture and storytelling in your classroom.

Here are some of the nature art activities in the Sheep Module:


1. Drawing Sheep indoors and outdoors using charcoal, chalks and paint. By weaving art into the fabric of nature, children develop a profound connection to the world around them.

2. Making Clay Sheep Sculptures leads to playful adventures indoors and outdoors sparking imaginations and storytelling. As the children sculpt, and create with the treasures of nature, children become stewards of the Earth and great storytellers.

3. Land Art - What might the students create using natural materials after learning about the sheep and how wool from the sheep can make garments of clothing? Creating land art, children become eco-explorers, learning to appreciate and protect the environment. Each placement of a found object becomes a small pledge to care for the Earth.

4. Using patterns from the students' own woollen garments for inspiration, they are invited to create a patterned sheep.

5. Designing our very own Life Size Sweaters using the local landscape as inspiration.

Nature art teaches not just about colors, shapes and patterns but about harmony and balance. It's a dance where every element plays a role, echoing the interconnected dance of life in the natural world.

8 short how to videos and a PDF to accompany the workshop videos.

The nature art activities are a starting point for you to play with and delve deeper into what they evoke in you. You may not have sheep where you live but I am sure you will be captivated by these fascinating animals and have a go at making one then exploring how you could make your own stories around sheep.

Elise chose her favourite woollen blanket as her pattern inspiration for her painted sheep design.

Nature art isn't just an activity; it's a journey into wholeness. It nurtures not only artistic skills but a sense of wonder, gratitude, and an understanding that we are all part of something much grander – the beautiful tapestry of nature.

Designing our own woollen jumpers inspired by traditional stories from around the world. Creating little storybooks using our clay sheep sculptures as our main characters.

My hope is that your sense of wonder takes you and your students on a magical journey of exploration and observation in your own local environment whether that is urban or rural. Let the journey begin…

Purchase your Nature Art Module Today for just $9.99 (Normal Price $19.99)

Click on Buy Now below to purchase your Nature Art Sheep Module


Wishing you a beautiful and creative week, sending you love and light, Marghanita x

How to Honour your Creative Inner Child

Our spirit and inner child longs to be creative, so let’s start the New Year playing, exploring, imagining and creating.

 I am excited to share a very simple Nature Art activity inspired by the first month's calendar painting

- Rain Forest Child - January 2024. I chose this painting for January I wished to invite the viewer

to be a child again, to start the year with honouring their own creative inner child.

 

Please take a moment to watch the very short video,

in a quiet space, where you will not be interrupted.

WATCH VIDEO HERE:

After watching the video you are invited to create your very own piece of art.  

You will require paper or canvas or simply use one of the left over cardboard boxes from Christmas. You can use any medium for your art, so experiment with pastels, crayons, paint, charcoal, watercolour or
simply make a sketch with a pencil...its totally up to you - there are NO RULES!

Simply relax, imagine and create! It is not about the finished product - it is all about experiencing the joy and wonder of being a child again in an enchanting forest of your choice or a place where you loved to play
outdoors as a child- enjoy the creative exploration!!!! 

Before you begin drawing, take a moment to look at the painting below. 



Take a few deep breaths to relax your body and empty your mind.

Now - Imagine you are a child again, in the forest, any forest or a special place

in nature where you loved to visit as a child and paint how that feels.

“We nurture our creativity when we release our inner child. Let it run and roam free. It will take you on a brighter journey.”—Serina Hartwell

 

Rain Forest Child - January 2024 - Honouring the Creative Child Within

The Rain Forest Child painting was inspired by the magical encounters I experience every time I enter one of the rainforests on Vancouver Island. They are like  - land that time forgot; ancient growth draped in moss and lichen, their shapes and forms are like whimsical creatures you could play with and giant ferns to hide away; you can imagine dinosaurs roaming in these enchanting forests.

 Please do share your creative explorations when time permits, I truly would love to see and hear about your creative journey. 

Sending love and light on this sacred new day, know you are deeply loved, Marghanita x

What's in a Painting?

What do you see? What do you feel? Can you relate to the story in this painting?


TRANSFORMATION

Resisting change will only make the journey more difficult. What might you be resisting?

These two paintings had a little message for me but I had no idea what the message was until I had changed (almost thrown out) and completed the second one. I began the first painting on Vancouver Island in a garden setting using a hammer to print the leaves (representing my tree) onto fabric canvas. The air was clean and the summer heat was deliciously soothing.

Hammered leaves on fabric canvas and earth and watercolour paint

I put a little piece of my love in every tree, and the trees loved me back; and I became one with the trees

I loved the process of creating this fabric painting (above) and I wished to create a similar image depicting my love of trees and the natural world - down at the lakeshore, where I was now camping (on the mainland); this time I would be using just ink and watercolours; no foliage or printing.

The painting began well, free flowing - just letting the ink pen dance across the paper. All lines organic in the making, you cannot rub out ink like you can with a pencil. However, as I painted, the heat intensified and the air quality was poor with all the smoke from the wild forest fires. The van was way too hot to retreat to, the only place to be was by the lake, where at least the air was a little fresher and cooler. 

(I couldn’t change the weather, I could not be physically active outdoors without it compromising my health so I sat quietly painting under the shade of the tree)

Painting kept me calm and present in the moment, relaxing back into the flow, however, I wasn't quite happy with the heaviness of the energy and colour surrounding my earth being, so I began to fade the colour using my brush and water and I kept rubbing the paper with so much water, it began to peel. (Normally I would use a damp cloth and gently dab the paper).

Although I should have known better not to rub so hard, something inside of me kept going. After leaving the paper to dry out, I then tore off the little pieces that were fraying and was left with a large white patch of paper in the painting.

Had I ruined the painting?

I tried folding over the painting to hide the white patch and creased a line making it into a smaller version of the painting but I didn’t like it, so I unfolded the crease and took another look at the painting.

The line seemed very prominent, the line went right through my earth being, splitting her into two. The line representing something that wasn’t there before, and I thought to myself - we are forever changing - evolving - just like the painting.

Then I sat back and wondered, what was this painting trying to tell me. 

I looked away and watched the waves lap over the rocks, there was no resistance. I looked back at my painting and determined not to rip it up, instead, seeing the torn piece as an invitation to create something new - I decided to let my ink pen dance over the white piece of paper and there it was…

Transformation

..my little earth being now had a set of wings...she is in the transformation stage..

Amazing, isn’t it, that we can express our inner feelings without sometimes knowing we are doing it. The painting was reminding me to stop resisting change, I too was going through a stage of transformation. The environment had played a vital role in my art making.

We are forever evolving, changes are inevitable, changes are all part of the journey and sometimes, certain changes seem almost impossible, but the more we resist, the harder the journey. Can you relate to this. Is there something you are resisting right now?

It never ceases to amaze me how powerful art making is. I now look at the little painting and love its flaws, the ripped paper and wings that are not quite formed, this adds to its beauty and authenticity.

Transformation - Watercolour and Ink - 11’ x 8’

It is our flaws that make us more beautiful don’t you think?


I would love to know what you thought of the two paintings and what your feelings are about transformation?


All original artwork and prints are available on my website under Gallery. If you can’t see the artwork you wish to purchase, please drop me an email or message and I will provide details.

Sending you love and light from the enchanting wild British Columbia.

Dragonfly Medicine - Simple Nature Art Activity for all ages

Urban Nature is as powerful as Wild Nature.

Two very different settings, yet both equally powerful and healing. Interestingly, both the Dragonflies were calling for help. Helping other beings, undoubtedly helps to heal ourselves.

Dragonfly Power

These wild, mystical creatures of the sky reminds us; we too are wild, strong and beautiful

Amazing to think the Dragonfly begins life in water and transforms , shedding their intricate detailed skin- like armour, over 7 - 12 times in their short lifespan, lasting just 6 months. The dragonfly reminds us of our own fragility and vulnerability yet how incredibly strong we are. When feeling sad and overwhelmed, dragonlfy helps us to remember our own inner knowing, we are the light, we are strong, we can be flexible and adaptable in the situation that we find ourselves in.

Break free from the illusions. The dragonfly reflects light, it asks us to reflect our inner light.

We all need a helping hand once in a while



Wild Dragonfly

The other day my husband and I were at Kentucky Lake (an 90 minute drive from Kelowna BC. Its one of the most beautiful lakes I have ever visited, the colour of the water is exquisite with white sands and has an abundance of one of my favourite inspects, the mighty dragonfly. We were in the water when we spotted something floating a few metres in the distance - it was a dragonfly. I held out my hand and gently scooped him up. On closer inspection we could see he had a broken wing. I held him in the sunshine and spoke softly and prayed for his recovery.


There is nothing more sacred than sharing soul time with one of Gods little creatures. I have always been intrigued by these dashingly striking acrobatic fliers. Imagine during the Jurassic period, these ancient beings were the size of a helicopter, I often love to imagine riding on the back of a giant dragonfly travelling across vast wild unknown lands.

Urban Dragonfly

A short walk from the bustling city of Kelowna, you reach the industrial part which is located alongside the lakeshore. The traffic noise is loud but the lure of the sparkling water softens the jarring sounds of city.

This brown dragonfly was bent over and seemed out of balance. I put out my hand slowly and invited the dragonfly onto my hand so I could take a closer look and speak in a soft voice. We both looked at each other in wonder and awe while he dried and gained strength. I thanked him for gifting me this sacred connection and held him up to the sunshine and he flew off…Again such an enchanting and humbling experience, to share soul time with these incredibly beautiful little beings.



Create your own Dragonfly Artwork

Nature Art helps us to rekindle our relationship with nature, restoring a deep love and respect for the natural world and all its inhabitants.

We protect what we love. I believe the greatest gift we can give Mother Earth is to love her, reciprocate her love she has for us. Returning to the Natural World is returning home, to ourselves. We heal and Mother Earth heals, we are one.


Here is an invitation to experiment with some charcoal and watercolour and create a painting of a dragonfly or whatever you wish? This process is simple and oodles of fun and suitable for all ages. I have not named the specific parts of the dragonfly’s body as the video is intended for younger viewers as well as adults. (You can add the names abdomen and thorax when working with students) Watch the video below:

Items you will require:

Heavyweight watercolour paper

Charcoal (optional - you can use a pencil however, would love you to try the charcoal if you haven’t used charcoal before - it leaves a trace of what your original lines are - adding to the creative process).

Watercolour Paints (I would normally use earth paints or handmade watercolour or earth paint, however I had neither with me on this day so used a small basic watercolour set but with a good quality watercolour brush.

Ink pen or pencil or coloured pencils

May your weekend be filled with wonder and miracles, sending love and healing energy from the wilds of BC, Canada. Please do share your dragonfly paintings, I would love to see your creations. Happy Painting!





Daily Encounters of Magic While Painting Outdoors

There are always visits from little creatures; insects; birds and animals when you paint outdoors - always! An incredible week of Nature Magic - it began while down at the lakeshore painting my wild rose -water goddess. The sweet scent of wild roses filled the air, the gentle lapping of the water and warmth of early June sunshine melted me into a peaceful state and inspired my latest painting.

Drawing upon the energy and soulfulness I encounter in the wilds of Mother Nature

“When we encounter wild rose flowers, we tap into our creative potential and express our unique talents. Seeing wild rose flowers can be the first step in finding balance and harmony in our lives, both spiritually and mentally” - See full article below

Day one

Another recycled canvas; I cover the canvas with acrylic as a base and let it dry in the sunshine. Drawn to a little peaceful area close to the water underneath a charming willow, I begin to paint harnessing the energy of the water and sunshine and the delightful aroma of the wild pink roses guide my paintbrush.

“One of the essential spiritual meanings attached to wild rose flowers is their symbolism of love and devotion. These flowers have been used for centuries to represent love, appreciation, and gratitude. Wild rose flowers are also considered to be the embodiment of femininity, grace, and elegance” - See full article below

I mix up some earth paint to create a skin tone for the face and arms and then work on her body. I hear a noise and look up to find a young prince; crowned with small velvet like horns, slowly wading through the water with grace and elegance. He stops under the willow and stretches his long elegant neck, reaching up to feast on the vibrant green; fresh growth of juicy leaves.

He is aware of my presence; I stop painting;  he seems happy enough to let me continue observing him and harnessing his peacefulness.




Deer are a wonderful reminder for us to slow down and be gentle on ourselves; this gentleness will help us to feel more peaceful. He stayed for at least 20 minutes or so enjoying the coolness of the water and abundant food found at the lakeshore. After he left I started painting once more - with a much slower and gentle rythm. Truly grateful for this sacred time with the young buck.



Day Two

Life and death - Baby ducklings appeared from out of the long grasses right next to where I was sitting on the rocks at the lakeshore. I was collecting a little lake water to continue painting but decided to rest a while. Oh my goodness, they were cutest little chicks I had ever seen; eight stripy little balls of fluff chirping away; their mother on the edge of the shoreline in the water, keeping a watchful eye. The ducklings chased and snapped at a tiny blue butterfly fluttering by. It was like watching young children, wild, curious and playful; it wasn’t long before one of the hungry little ducklings managed to catch the butterfly for its lunch.

Death witnessed in nature seems perfectly normal - part of the life cycle - only last week was I sketching the very same species of butterflies -one landed on my hand at the potholes in Sooke on Vancouver island).
It made me ponder for a while, about life and death. I stayed close to the water and allowed the gentle lapping of the water to relax me and breathe in the sweet scent of the wild roses; letting go of any tension.

“Wild rose flowers are also associated with the element of water. Water is a symbol of emotions, intuition, and the subconscious mind. Wild rose flowers can help us connect with our emotions and intuition, allowing us to tap into our inner wisdom and guidance. These flowers can also help us release emotional blockages and find a sense of peace and calm within ourselves”

I watched the mother and ducklings disappear into the distance and smiled joyfully thinking of how fortunate I was to see how the natural world works; how we too, are part of nature and it’s incredible life cycle. Again, returning to my painting I felt humbled and excited to paint that feeling of peace, connection and abundant joy into my painting.



Day Three

A snake slithered my way; stopping for a moment (as I tried to keep still after my initial flinch as you do sometimes when something catches you unaware.) before slithering off into the gravel next to the wild rose bush. Snake represents transmutation. What was the snake wanting me to remember - that (I am) we are universal beings, this too is very much infused into the painting - inviting the viewer to find a new rhythm and let your body flow like a river winding its way toward the great waters of the sea. Immerse yourself in the water, and know that every single droplet which you represent is being accepted as the whole.


JOY and CREATIVITY


Earlier that morning when at the same rose bush, a hummingbird arrived to say hello. I could hear her before I saw her…such fairylike creatures, every sighting is as magical as the first - enchanting and whimsical. Hummingbird represents joy. Hummingbird hears celestial music and is in harmony with it. Hummingbirds mission is to spread joy , and experience a renewal of the magic of living.

The same day, returning to my painting after my lunch, was a very flat looking spider crawling across my rose water goddess - how apt- the spider reminds us to honour our creativity.







As you can see; its impossible not to infuse the natural world into my paintings…and in the most authentic, organic, free-flowing way. Always a story unravelling to share so that others can harness the love and beauty; the mystery and healing powers of our Mother Earth in their own home through my art.

The wild pink roses remind us of the importance of caring for oneself and the environment around us.

Wild Rose Water Goddess


With this painting you will receive a personalized meditation and a mini booklet on the journey of creating The Wild Rose Water Goddess. If you are interested in purchasing this original artwork or prints please contact me direct or visit my website shop: marghanita.com

Wild Rose Water Goddess  Mixed Media Watercolour and Earth Paint on recycled half inch Boxed Canvas - Acrylic base. Portrait - 24” x 36”


Grateful to the The Syilx people, also known as the Okanagan, Okanogan or Okinagan people for allowing us to play, explore and create on this sacred land.

The highlighted text in bold and italic was sourced from a website: foliage friend

Flowers Make us Happy!

I think Flowers are meant to be painted. Flowers make us happy and inspire us in so many ways. Did you know that flowers stimulate dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. Read full article (bottom of pst).

“If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly our whole life would change.”– Buddha

Flowers fill my heart with so much joy and make my spirit dance…inspiring me to paint.

Daisy Fairies celebrate birth of Spring


What is your favourite flower? Can you share with me why it’s a favourite?

Its too difficult to choose one flower, however, daisies do hold a special place in my heart. They remind me of happy days with my mother, making daisy chains under the silver birches in our back garden. The daisy is also my daughters birth flower.

Every time I see a daisy I smile and my heart fills up with Joy. I love the simplicity of its shape and form; yet close up such intricate detail.

I feel attracted to its angelic and pure presence, gifting immense joy and happy energy as they dance in the warm spring breeze and I adore how they open up when the sunshine comes out…

…and if you sit long enough among the daisies you might even get to see a daisy fairy or two….before the daisy flowers close up for the night…how magical indeed.

Evening Fairies bless the Daisies as they start to close for the night

Original Art and Fine Art Prints available @ marghanita.com

“Open the bloom of your heart and become a gift of beauty to the world.”– Bryant McGill

More creative play with daisies - Daisy Fairies Clay Painting - one of the fun, soulful, playful nature based activities to nurture the whole being - body, mind, heart and spirit. Spring video series available here: Sense of Wonder - Spring - Nature Art Video Series. You can purchase the Video Series here: NATURE ART VDIEO SERIES - SPRING

Why Flowers Make Us Happy

How flowers stimulate dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. Full post here: Flowers

Everyone Grieves In Their Own Way

There Is No “Right Way” to Grieve. It's important to know that no two people experience grief the same way

Driftwood Bird - SPIRIT NEVER DIES - A Gift from Creator

Driftwood Spirit Bird

Yesterday, my husband David found this enchanting piece of driftwood on our walk along Jordan River, Vancouver Island, BC. He marvelled at the piece of driftwood and said excitedly, “Look Marghanita, It’s a bird” and then gifted it to me. A precious and sacred gift found by my beautiful husband which Mother Earth wished us to find. I have always loved driftwood; I love how each piece of wood has its own unique story waiting to be discovered. This little piece of driftwood whispered…. a song of “rebirth” to me.

My beautiful brother, Clifford passed away recently having battled a long, painful and torturous cancer caused by a brain tumour.

Holding the warm, weathered wood in my hands, was like holding Cliffords hand once more…the soft carved shape of the bird invites you to hold it as if you were holding someones hand. The driftwood bird emanates an incredible energy when you hold it in this way - a deep feeling of connection.

Cliffords body and mind had been ravished by the cancer but his spirit, the very essence of who he was; could never die. His last word he said to me, was connected, it was almost impossible for him to speak at all but he said it twice while holding my hand softly; yet firmly, “connected”. I knew he was talking about how inter-connected we are with all life here on earth and beyond.



All Things Are Connected

Clifford was a giver, he walked through life with a sense of humility, kindness and had a deep love and respect for all living things. We were both firm believers in that everything relies on everything else in order to manifest. He loved the great outdoors and birds were among his favourite to observe and listen to; influencing the beautiful songs and music he would write with his guitar.

Drifted Ashore

The mouth of the river where David found the driftwood bird is known as diitiida (Drifted Ashore) to the Pacheedaht First Nations. At this ancient site, the two groups lived together before the great flood. I love that this driftwood spirit bird was found on this sacred land known as Drifted Ashore by the indigenous peoples.

Looking more closely at the driftwood bird, I was amazed how the raw natural elements had sculpted a perfect beak and even an eye. I love how the bird is turning his head to look at you; with his wing tucked in and his longfeathered tail fanned out to perfection. Once a tree, now sculpted into a spirit bird by creator - what a precious and sacred gift to behold. Holding this little driftwood spirit bird has a healing energy and gifts great joy and deep peace; and I find comfort in knowing Clifford is free like the bird, free from suffering, he is peaceful and in everything and everywhere. He is Mother Earths song.

Grieving

When a loved one dies, you are changed forever; it’s like part of you dies with them, however, over time and finally accepting that I would never see my brother in flesh again, I shifted my grief into a celebration. I began to see his death not as a loss but as a great gift - a rebirth of spirit. His spirit became stronger and more powerful; and I could feel him, like God, everywhere and in everything. Clifford is the soaring eagle, the dancing cedar, the whispering wind, the sweet smell of the first spring blossoms of April. He is the early morning bird song that awakens me so sweetly, he is the warm glow of the sunrise and the illuminating moon lighting up the night sky before I go to sleep.

Free bird - driftwood bird hands opening to Gods Love - Watercolour and ink pen

Clifford is this beautiful driftwood bird I hold in my hand. Grateful for this sacred gift and for my brothers love and light and forever living spirit


We all cope with grief differently. I know some people prefer talking to others about their loss, while others benefit from writing their feelings down, it has certainly helped me to write this blog post. I am grateful I have had time in the wilds to process my feelings and find a creative way to express my own personal grieving. Physical activity can really help people feel better too, especially walks in the wilds, whereas for others, creative outlets are more helpful.

I personally have found nature to be my greatest healer through these very difficult and painful months and expressing my feelings through my art has been incredibly therapeutic.

Grieving a very difficult and personal journey to navigate. Sending my love and light and healing energy to all of you who are grieving the loss of a loved one; Know you are deeply loved and connected to all life. Wishing you a beautiful and joy-filled week….love and light Marghanita x


Spirit Never Dies





Storytelling with Nature - The 3 Little Pigs

Storytelling with Nature - The 3 Little Pigs

Today we are exploring the possibilities of Storytelling with Nature and we are using the title - The 3 Little Pigs as our story of choice. Of Course the story is just a starting point for what can be an ongoing exploration for creative adventures outdoors.

Did you know that the Three Little Pigs was first seen in print in the 1840s, it apparently, is believed to go back even farther than and apparently there is an English version that is titled The Fox and the Pixies and I love that the story is set in the forest....imagine what fun it would be to create pixies and a fox in a woodland setting - how exciting; will be doing this when I get back in the forest next month!

In the two short videos, I provide you with inspiration but it's up to you how you how you explore the story and activities with your children (students). The learning opportunities are infinite and are suitable for all ages; simplifying the story and activities for younger children and expanding the depth of exploration for older students. 

First we read the story (there are several different versions so I thought I would leave it up to you to find which one resonates with you and ofcourse as you delve deeper into the session you will realise you and your students will be making your very own unique version. 

The activities below are beautiful ways to help children actively engage with nature. Remember, when out hunting and gathering we say thank you for the gifts from Mother Nature and take only what we need.


VIDEO ONE - Lets make our Clay Pigs

We then invite the children to make their very own clay pigs using natural clay and materials found in nature. Clay is just one example of what material you could use but are not limited to...ask the children what they would like to use. There are no rules, let the children use their imaginations!

VIDEO TWO - Let's make our Pig Homes

We then invite the children to make the 3 different homes using any of the materials they have collected such as stones, rocks, straw, foliage, sticks etc....what materials would you use? 

Now its time to think about the wolf? Should we make a wolf puppet or could we dress up as a wolf? Or should we make a clay wolf? What materials could we use to make our wolf?

Now it's time to act out the story...the possibilities are infinite for creative play - so much fun - joy-filled learning; nurturing the whole child, body, mind, heart and spirit.

Please do share with me your thoughts and ideas and your final creations.

If you liked this activity you may enjoy my Nature based Art Program full of creative adventures outdoors. Visit www.educatingheartnatureart.com

Wishing you all a magical and creative week, love and light Marghanita x

www.educatingheartnatureart.com