Wild Impressions of autumn: Botanical Monoprints in Watercolor
In this hands-on experience at Yakona, participants will explore monoprinting with watercolor paint using leaves, stems, and other botanical materials as both subject and tool. Drawing inspiration from Yakona’s living landscape, we’ll experiment with layering color, texture, and organic forms, pressing plants onto paper to create one-of-a-kind prints that reflect close observation and a sense of place. The class emphasizes curiosity and play over precision, inviting participants to slow down, engage with the natural world, and respond intuitively to what emerges on the page. All materials are provided. Participants will leave with a variety of frame-worthy art, including a large print, handmade card, gift bag, and bookmarks.
Note: This class includes a short nature walk on uneven terrain.
details:
Instructors: Carly Kay & Rena Olson
Location: Outdoors at Yakona Nature Preserve
Ages: Adults and youth ages 16+ (youth must be accompanied by a participating adult)
Yakona provides: All class materials are provided. Please bring interesting plants from home, if desired.
Please bring: Drinking water, snacks or lunch, any necessary medications (including EpiPens), and weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy walking shoes.
Insects: Mosquitoes are part of the Yakona ecosystem. Insect repellent is recommended if you are sensitive to bites.
Arrival & Departure: Please plan to stay for the full duration of the class. Because Yakona is accessed by guided escort only, participants are unable to enter or leave independently once the program begins.
Parking & Carpooling: Participants will meet at the parking area and carpool the three miles into Yakona to minimize vehicle traffic on the preserve.
Restrooms: Restroom facilities are rustic outhouses and porta potties.
Pets: For the safety of Yakona's wildlife, pets are not permitted on the preserve, nor are pets allowed in parked vehicles, as there are no shaded parking areas.
Caring for Yakona: Please help us protect this special place by staying on designated trails, respecting wildlife, and leaving plants, fungi, and other natural features undisturbed unless collecting is part of the class. Pack out any personal belongings and trash and leave Yakona as beautiful as you found it.
Weather: Programs may be held rain or shine unless hazardous weather or other unsafe conditions require cancellation.
Attendance Commitment: Because space is limited and these resources are generously provided, we ask that you register only if you plan to attend. If your plans change, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer your space to someone on the waitlist.
Class Enrollment: A minimum number of participants is required for this workshop. Yakona reserves the right to cancel a class due to low enrollment. Registered participants will be notified as soon as possible if a class is canceled.
Cost: This event is offered at no cost through grant funding and community support. Donations are always appreciated.
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Carly Kay
Art is where I express myself, where I unleash my vulnerability. It is where I release fear and where I am courageous. Each time I put paint to brush, I tell a little bit more of my story.
I am drawn to the natural world: plants, animals, forests, water, sky and landscapes. As I create, my desire is to connect the viewer with the wonder of and need to protect this world and its inhabitants. Using nature as my inspiration brings me harmony and speaks to my soul.
Rena Olson
I believe art begins with paying attention. Whether I am gathering leaves for an eco-print, extracting color from plants and fungi, photographing a landscape, or walking quietly through a forest, my creative practice starts with observation. Nature is not simply my subject; it is my collaborator. Every leaf, every season, every shift in weather leaves its own mark, reminding me that beauty emerges through relationship rather than control.