There is a lovely folk story that explains how creatures survive the cold temperatures of the UK – swifts emigrate, dormice hibernate and trees lose their leaves. The story starts a very, very long time ago (as all good stories should start) when trees didn’t actually lose their leaves at all and the minibeasts of the land would loudly and relentlessly complain that they were cold. So, the trees agreed to provide the minibeasts with blankets to keep them warm during the winter. Of course, these blankets were leaves and the agreement stated that the minibeasts would help to break down the leaves to create nutrients for the trees to use to make new leaves in the spring. It’s the circle of life that nature relies on to keep everything in balance (I think there might even be a song about it!). The story reminds us that nature likes us to leave the fallen leaves and dead stems for those pesky, but oh so important minibeasts to use as beds for the cold season.
Autumn art
Umbel sunset by Pat Pitt
Photo by Julie Grainger
So as the autumn leaves drift by my window, I notice that the colours are truly beautiful and it’s all a consequence of those pesky minibeasts that were moaning. On the plus side, it does provide us with the most artistic time of the year. The colours are stunning and often very vivid providing a lovely pallet for us to be creative with our community. Now I know what you are thinking - but I’m hopeless at drawing! Well, that’s just no excuse because art can be many things. Using natural materials that have fallen off trees can produce a creative streak that you never knew existed. A little-known Japanese art form called Hapa Zome, or leaf bashing at is sometimes known, can use the pigments of senescence in leaves to make beautiful fabric prints that can be used in flags for outdoor events. Or why not get together with your local community and collect fallen leaves to make a mandala? Mandalas, originating from the Hindu tradition, are made up of incredibly intricate and beautiful patterns.
Photo by Julie Grainger
If you like a particularly tactile art experience, then maybe you could try making a more three-dimensional creation such as a tree guardian which stems from a different traditional story about a tree that was saved by minibeasts. In this story the ‘creepies and the crawlies, the slitheries and the slimies’ all congregate on and around a beautiful tree to stop it being cut down. By using natural materials, you can create a clay guardian to protect the trees in your garden or community space. In fact, all this kind of art suits a community art workshop. We have seen the increase in creative community groups recently, such as the Creatavist, Knit and Natter, Crafty Cuppa. They all encourage us, together with other people, to enjoy our creative side. It shows how much art, nature and people can achieve when they do it together. It has multiple benefits for our own feelings of wellbeing because it improves dexterity, reinforces neural pathways, creates new ones, reduces anxiety about talking to other people, supports enjoyment and even laughter. Have you ever been to a knit and natter event where people are not laughing out loud? I rest my case!
But, if you prefer your art in solitude, then nature can be your friend too. Simply spending time looking at nature more closely and at a different pace can reduce stress levels and allow you some time away from the hustle and bustle of every day. Photography can also produce some wonderful creations and it makes you slow down and look at the flowers or seed heads or pile of leaves. In fact, an untidy garden is so good for creativity as well as nature because it creates spaces for wildlife.
So, my message for this blog is to stop tidying the garden and get crafty outdoors with your community - you won’t regret it!