Nature Inspires Art: A Timeless Source of Creativity

By Nash Dickason 

Nature has offered an ever-changing and boundless source of inspiration which artists have used for centuries. There are so many textures, shapes, colors, forms, and feelings that nature provides us. From the delicate dried leaves you step on walking to your car in autumn, to the giant sequoia trees that have watched time pass beneath them for hundreds of years, the natural world has provided more than just timber for our houses, the syrup on our pancakes, and the water we brush our teeth with. The natural world has inspired artists of many media for centuries.  

I have had the privilege of experiencing beautiful natural landscapes. From New York’s lush and rugged terrain of the Adirondacks where I spent time finding my love for environmental conservation, to the arid high deserts of Nevada and California where I spent a season doing ecological monitoring, nature has inspired me. Inspiration abounds even just by peeking out your window or listening to the nostalgic sound of mourning doves calling in the garden.

Creating art inspired by nature offers a deeper and more meaningful connection to the natural world. On a trip to Yosemite National Park with a few friends, we took a break on our walk through the Mariposa Sequoia Grove. Two of us took out our pens and sketch books and started drawing one of the monumental trees that stood tall as the trail wrapped around the bole of the tree. This tree was named the Grizzly Giant. We placed ourselves facing the tree looking at the large burn scar and the long and uneven branches, and began to draw. 

Artists in the 19th century have played a large role in the protection of this special grove of sequoia trees. People who have taken photographs and created drawings and paintings of these giant trees have helped change the peoples’ views of the western forests. The conservation efforts boomed after Carelton Watkins captured a photograph of Grizzly Giant in the 1860s, allowing the Eastern audiences to appreciate the immensity of the trees in the Mariposa Grove. 

In the 1870s, Albert Bierstadt played a key role in the increase of support for these trees. Completing an impressive five by ten foot oil painting in 1876, Bierstadt casted a larger netexposing the beauty of the Western states, strengthening the support for the conservation movement. 

At the beginning of last December, we invited members of the community to attend our first version of a family friendly “paint n’ sip” focusing on what we could find in the nature study area. I chose to lead a painting event, instructing a group of 19 community members how to paint my favorite bird, the belted kingfisher. While waiting for all of the participants to catch up to what I painted, I had some time to interpret and share facts about the (best) bird. I talked about their role in the ecosystem, their  habitats, how the females are prettier than the males, and even gave my best belted kingfisher impression in front of an audience. At the end of the event, everyone left with their own interpretation of a belted kingfisher watercolor painting, and hopefully a greater appreciation for these special birds. 

After seeing how successful our painting event was the first time, we decided to invite more members of our community to come paint California quails with me for our first “Cups and Creativity” event. We spent a Saturday morning painting, learning, and drinking hot cocoa. We would love to see you and your nature-inspired art on the fourth Saturday of every month at Cups and Creativity! Keep an eye out for our event registration on the Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation website.

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About the Author

Nash Dickason 

Rosewood Visitor Center Host

Originally from Rochester, New York, Nash brings a wealth of enthusiasm and knowledge to Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation. A proud graduate of SUNY ESF's The Ranger School, he honed his skills in environmental science and forestry. Nash has spent a field season with the Great Basin Institute in both Nevada and California, where he immersed himself in diverse ecosystems and conservation efforts. As our visitor center host, Nash is excited to share his knowledge and love of the outdoors with all who visit.