Nature as Muse & Inspiration

Nov. 2023: With the longer days and warmer weather are you enjoying heading outdoors? While many recently converged on Blenheim for Garden Marlborough and Along The Garden Path at the Marlborough Art Society, two artists came together to explore a hidden gem in our brilliant backyard of the Marlborough Sounds, and to raise awareness of how simple and fun creative expression can improve holistic wellbeing.

Dr Deborah Early and Emma Toy recently collaborated for the inaugural Noticing Nature Artist-in-Residence Weekend held at Debbie’s studio The Art of Awareness at Bluewater Lodge, located on the Queen Charlotte Track. Debbie, a literary artist with a medical-science background and a facilitator supporting nature-based solutions for wellbeing and adaptability, is the Marlborough rep. for the Top of the South committee for the New Zealand Society of Authors. Emma, an arts practitioner, is a trained artistic therapist and artist based in Marlborough. 

Both artists recognize the importance of creative expression for human wellbeing and specifically noticing the natural world and how we are part of this. Given their combined passion in connecting people with themselves and the natural world around them Debbie invited Emma to spend an immersive weekend in her studio.

“I hope that sharing this creative and expressive experience will help others to generate feelings of curiosity, appreciation, and wonder for nature - and perhaps encourage others to pick up a pencil, paintbrush or a camera and pay some loving attention to the natural treasures around them, ” says Emma.

When next you’re outdoors, what will you notice in nature?

If you are interested in collaborating, please contact me.