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3 Tips for Better Nature Journal Paintings with Juliene Sinclair

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Watercolor painting by Juliene Sinclair Hi there, beautiful internet friend! I’m Juliene, an artist and color educator who helps people pick up their paintbrush and rediscover the joy and healing of painting. Like many, I was an artistic child—always drawing, painting, and creating. But as I “grew up,” I stopped making art, and after earning my very un-artsy engineering degree, I found myself lost and depressed. I spent years in a creative drought until I finally listened to the voice inside me whispering: “Pick your paintbrush back up.”  For a long time, I ignored it, believing the adult-y myth that painting didn’t have much value—that art was just an “end goal,” something to do after all my responsibilities were in order. Ha! Eventually, that voice became impossible to ignore, like a leader desperately guiding the group to safety. So I picked up my brush again—and I’m so grateful I did! I learned firsthand that Brené Brown’s words are true: “Unused creativity is not benign. It me...
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Wild Ginger | Native Plant Feature 02

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  Wild Ginger Botanical Illustrations by Laura Watson Discovering the Beauty of Asarum caudatum : Western Wild Ginger Asarum caudatum , commonly known as Western Wild Ginger, is a fascinating native plant found in the moist, shaded forests of British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest. This intriguing plant has captured my curiosity as a naturalist and inspired my creativity as a botanical artist. In this article, I’ll share some intriguing facts about wild ginger, its habitat, and my personal connection to it—all complemented by my watercolor illustrations. Wild Ginger Botanical Illustrations by Laura Watson A Closer Look at Asarum caudatum Despite its name, Western Wild Ginger isn’t closely related to the culinary ginger we use in cooking. Instead, it belongs to the Aristolochiaceae family, which includes a variety of woodland plants with unique adaptations. The plant’s common name comes from the strong ginger-like scent of its rhizomes when crushed, a characteristic that has mad...
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Location: Nanaimo, BC, Canada
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Why Do Most Plant Family Names End in "-aceae"?

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image generated by Laura Watson If you've ever looked at scientific plant names, you might have noticed a pattern—most plant family names end in "-aceae" (like Orchidaceae for orchids or Rosaceae for roses). But why is that? A Rule of Botanical Naming The "-aceae" ending comes from the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN) , the system that regulates how plants are scientifically named. This suffix helps standardize plant classification and makes it easier for botanists to group related species. How Are Family Names Created? Plant family names are typically based on the name of a key genus within that family. For example: Rosaceae comes from Rosa (roses) Orchidaceae comes from Orchis (a type of orchid) This method ensures a logical connection between plant names and their broader family groupings. A Few Exceptions Before the "-aceae" rule was enforced, some families had different names, like Compositae ...
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Location: Nanaimo, BC, Canada
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Exploring Nature Journaling with Alex Boon: Tips, Inspiration, and Creative Approaches

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Nature Journal by Alex Boon I’m always on the lookout for artists who bring a fresh perspective to nature journaling, and I’m thrilled to introduce you to Alex Boon. Alex is a nature journaling educator, artist, and content creator from East Devon, UK, whose passion for documenting the natural world is truly inspiring. Alex’s journey into nature journaling started with a treasured copy of The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady and evolved into a lifelong practice that blends art, creativity, and deep observation. Living by the sea in a rural part of the UK, he spends time exploring the natural countryside that surrounds him—filling his journals with sketches, words, and even large-scale maps In this feature, Alex shares his thoughts on keeping multiple journals, how limiting art supplies can actually improve your observation skills, and why a nature journal doesn’t have to be a book at all. Whether you're a seasoned nature journaler or just starting out, Alex’s insights are sure to...
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Location: Nanaimo, BC, Canada
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Rattlesnake Plantain | Native Plant Feature 01

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  Rattlesnake Plantain illustrations, watercolor, Laura Watson, 2025 Discovering the Beauty of  Goodyera oblongifolia : The Western Rattlesnake Plantain Goodyera oblongifolia,  commonly known as the Western Rattlesnake Plantain, is a captivating native orchid found in the forests of British Columbia and beyond. This fascinating plant has inspired both my curiosity as a naturalist and my creativity as a botanical artist. In this article, I’ll share some intriguing facts about this orchid, its habitat, and my personal connection to it—all complemented by my watercolour illustrations. A Closer Look at  Goodyera oblongifolia Despite its common name, the Western Rattlesnake Plantain isn’t related to plantains at all. Instead, it belongs to the orchid family, a detail that surprised me when I first learned about it. The "plantain" in its name refers to the resemblance between its patterned leaves and the introduced plantain weeds that many of us recognize in lawns and road...
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Location: Nanaimo, BC, Canada
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Reflecting on My 2024 Country Diary Project

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  Looking back on 2024, I’ve been reflecting on the incredible experience of completing my very first country diary project. This year-long endeavor to document plants, and and the changing seasons has been one of the most rewarding creative journeys I’ve undertaken. Through watercolor and ink illustrations, I explored the beauty of nature throughout the year, and I’ve learned so much about art, observation, and the rhythms of the natural world. Celebrating the Seasons Each season brought its own unique charm and challenges, shaping my diary in unexpected ways: Spring Blooms: The diary began with the tender greens and delicate blossoms of spring. Observing the first signs of life after winter was a joyful experience. Crocuses, daffodils, bluebells, anemones, and early budding trees became my subjects, and I practised capturing the softness and vibrancy of their colours. Summer Flowers & Foliage: Summer was a time of abundance. The richness of wildflowers, lush greenery, and p...
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Location: Nanaimo, BC, Canada
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Nussay Art on Entomological Illustration + 3 Tips for Drawing Insects

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Watercolour illustration by Nussay Art This month, I’m excited to feature Nassybah Touriño of Nussay Art. As an entomological illustrator, Nassybah creates detailed and accurate depictions of insects, blending scientific precision with artistic skill. Her work showcases the complexity and beauty of these often-overlooked creatures, highlighting their role in the natural world. In this feature, we’ll explore her artistic journey, creative process, and the inspiration behind her work. -Laura Watercolour illustration by Nussay Art My name is Nassybah Touriño and I'm the hands behind Nussay Art. I was born in Granada, Spain. I started studying art but never finished and although I always kept Art as part of my life, it wasn’t until I moved to Madison, Wisconsin that I started creating on a regular basis and sharing my illustrations on Instagram. I realized then, that people liked them and took the chance to quit my regular job to fully follow my dream of becoming a freelance illustrato...
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Location: Nanaimo, BC, Canada
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