Lifestyles: The creative naturalist

Adult coloring books are all the rage, but why stop there? Get inspired to sketch-it-yourself with The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling. Naturalist, educator and artist John Muir Laws is an engaging instructor, and his thorough guide is easily dipped into. Start with his introduction to the importance of close observation and “intentional curiosity,” as the act of nature journaling can be just as fulfilling as the finished sketch. And be sure to take notes on Laws’ second chapter on focusing awareness— something most of us could benefit from. After that, you may be, ahem, drawn to individual chapters on how to draw trees, wildflowers, animals or landscapes. Later sections detail how to outfit your portable field kit with various pencils, watercolors and journals, but Laws stresses that there’s no need to spend a mint; “You probably have what you need around your home.” Both the novice and the seasoned artist will find much to enjoy here. 

INK FOR ALL
Tattoos are so commonplace today that ink-free me feels less the rule than the exception. I’m not opposed; I just can’t commit. Luckily, temporary tattoos have grown in popularity alongside the real thing. What was once child’s play is now an artful accessory, and Pepper Baldwin, the designer behind temporary tat company Pepper Ink, is here to show you the ropes. Baldwin’s new book, DIY Temporary Tattoos: Draw It, Print It, Ink It, guides readers through the process of dreaming up a design, choosing the right body part for the art and creating the actual tattoo using transfer paper and adhesive sheets or special pens. An inspirational gallery in the back contains QR codes for free downloads of lots of lovely, ready-made tattoo designs—from black-and-white geometric patterns to lavish, full-color floral designs and nature-inspired creations—along with info on the iconic meanings behind certain flora and fauna.

TOP PICK IN LIFESTYLES
Now that the threat to the honey-bee population is a well-publicized, global concern, many of us want to help the little guys thrive. Covering all things apiary, The Bee Book is much more than a simple how-to for creating backyard hives. This informative guide traces the evolution of bees, explains different species and hive ecology and offers perspectives on population decline. Later chapters present detailed info on attracting bees with “bee hotels” and the right plants, and lay out tips for caring for them once you’ve wooed them to your habitat. Even if you’re not up for beekeeping, the final section, “Enjoying Bee Bounty,” contains 38 simple recipes for healing remedies and cosmetic products anyone can whip up at home with honey and beeswax. This guide is thoughtfully designed for easy consumption: captions, call-outs, diagrams, sidebars and graphs abound, while bold, bright illustrations and photographs bring energy to every page. The Bee Book is an educational journey for the entire family.

This article was originally published in the April 2016 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.