100 Days of Leaf Art - Week 2 - Finding Inspiration in Nature

Week 2: Finding Inspiration in Nature

Welcome to Week 2 of the 100 Days of Leaf Arts.  Nature is an endless source of inspiration. The veins of a leaf, the curves of a petal, and the textures of bark all hold artistic potential. As I continue this project, I let nature be my guide - observing patterns and translating them into designs burned, stitched and woven onto leaves.

I spend time daily in nature observing the changes, and seeing what inspires me. The natural world offers limitless motifs, from the flowing lines of vines to the intricate spirals found in flower centers. Even shadows and light filtering through trees provide inspiration for contrast and depth in my designs.

Creative Tip: Take a sketchbook outside and draw the natural patterns you see. These can become references for future designs. Try rubbing leaves with charcoal or pencils to create imprints you can use later.

Encouragement: When in doubt, look around you. Nature is the best teacher! Trust that creativity will emerge naturally when you engage with your environment.

Join the journey: The Leaf Arts course teaches techniques to bring nature’s patterns to life on dried leaves and so much more.

Want to learn more?

Join me in my Leaf Arts - Transforming Nature into Art course for guided lessons on leaf art techniques! 

Come and join us on the course and learn to create your own beautifully designed leaves!

I am Starting a 100-Day Project - This is Week 1

I am beginning another 100 Day Project - This year I will be sharing 100 Days of Leaf Art!

Starting a 100-day project is both exhilarating and a little daunting. But imagine the joy of seeing your creativity unfold daily, step by step, through a project that connects you with nature and mixed media techniques. I just love it.  You can check out some of the other 100 day projects that I did on the blog!

I have been creating art on leaves for a while now and have found some of the styles and techniques that I prefer. 

In this journey, I’ll be continuing to work with dried leaves, using a wood-burning tool, stitching patterns, adding fabric clusters, and layering mixed media elements to explore the beauty of leaf art and you will also see some of my favorite ones that I created previously as well as new ones.

Are you ready to make the commitment?

There is something special about committing to a long-term creative challenge. It pushes you to develop discipline, embrace new ideas, and uncover inspiration in unexpected places. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed at the beginning, but by focusing on one small creative step each day, progress naturally builds.

The 100 Day Project started officially on 22nd February.  I am sharing my completed leaves at the end of each week on a Friday, over the 100 days so today you get to see the first set of 7 leaves.  

Creative Tip: Experiment with different types of leaves or styles to see which ones work best for your style.

Encouragement: The hardest part is starting! Show up with an open heart and allow your creativity to flow. Give yourself grace to experiment without expectations. and don't feel pressured to post every day, decide on a posting schedule to suit you.

Want to go deeper? Join me in my Leaf Arts - Transforming Nature into Art course for guided lessons on leaf art techniques!  Yes, I have created a course to share my love for working on leaves, and I hope to work with more natural fibers over time.  Come and join us on the course and learn to create your own beautifully designed leaves!

Leaf Arts - Day 7 Reflection and Encouragement

 

Day 7: Reflection and Encouragement

I have really enjoyed this creative journey looking at the different ways that you can create on dried leaves. I invite you to take what you’ve learned and bring your own artistic voice into the process. 

Working with leaves as a medium is both grounding and inspiring, connecting us to nature while pushing creative boundaries. If you’re excited to explore this art form, don’t forget that my Leaf Art Course is available 

Learn More and Enroll Today!

Thank you for following along this week—I’d love to hear which technique inspired you the most! Leave a comment below and share your creative journey!

Exploring Sea Grape Leaf Art

Want to Learn How to Create with Leaves?

If you’re curious about working with dried leaves as an artistic surface, I teach techniques that allow you to incorporate them into your own projects. My Leaf Art Course covers everything from preparation to design, giving you the tools to explore this unique medium with confidence.

Sign up before February 16th 11.59pm to take advantage of the discounted price! 

Learn More and Enroll Today!

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the next featured design in this exciting week of leaf art exploration!

CHECK OUT THE LEAF ARTS COURSE HERE

Creating Clusters and Layering Technique - Day 6 - Exploring Sea Grape Leaf Art

 

Day 6: Layering Techniques 

Layering multiple techniques—stitching, painting, and burning—allows each element to shine while complementing the others. 

There are some fun ways to bring the small leaf clusters together to create some interesting designs.

Today’s piece show how using some of the skills taught can help you create a rich and dimensional work of art. 

Tomorrow, we wrap up the series by reflecting on the process and encouraging you to experiment with your own leaf art creations.

Exploring Sea Grape Leaf Art

Want to Learn How to Create with Leaves?

If you’re curious about working with dried leaves as an artistic surface, I teach techniques that allow you to incorporate them into your own projects. My Leaf Art Course covers everything from preparation to design, giving you the tools to explore this unique medium with confidence.

Learn More and Enroll Today!

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the next featured design in this exciting week of leaf art exploration!

CHECK OUT THE LEAF ARTS COURSE HERE

Woodburning Designs onto Leaves: Day 4 Exploring Sea Grape Leaf Art

 

Day 4: Woodburning Designs onto Leaves

Woodburning on leaves is an intricate process that requires a gentle touch. By etching fine lines and patterns into the surface, I create a beautifully rustic effect that highlights the leaf’s organic qualities. 

You can get a range of patterns and designs by using the different heads that you get with the wood burning tool, but you also need to know how to adapt the tool so you can use it to the maximum and achieve different looks.

Tomorrow, I’ll share how painting and mixed media techniques can further enhance these natural canvases.

Exploring Sea Grape Leaf Art

Want to Learn How to Create with Leaves?

If you’re curious about working with dried leaves as an artistic surface, I teach techniques that allow you to incorporate them into your own projects. My Leaf Art Course covers everything from preparation to design, giving you the tools to explore this unique medium with confidence.

Learn More and Enroll Today!

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the next featured design in this exciting week of leaf art exploration!

CHECK OUT THE LEAF ARTS COURSE HERE

Weaving Across the Surface: Day 3 Exploring Sea Grape Leaf Art

 

Day 3: Weaving Across the Surface

Combining fibers and dried leaves brings a whole new dimension to mixed media art. In today’s designs, I’ve used weaving techniques to add layers of texture and depth.  It is quite a meditative act, weaving on a material so delicate - you are forced to slow down and take it all in as you work.

The result that you can achieve are gorgeous, it is amazing to think that you can fuse nature and fiber art in this way. With the varieties of yarn and threads, the possibilities and combinations are endless.

In tomorrow’s post, I’ll introduce woodburning as a way to carve delicate patterns onto leaves, and share some of my designs.

Exploring Sea Grape Leaf Art

Want to Learn How to Create with Leaves?

If you’re curious about working with dried leaves as an artistic surface, I teach techniques that allow you to incorporate them into your own projects. My Leaf Art Course covers everything from preparation to design, giving you the tools to explore this unique medium with confidence.

Learn More and Enroll Today!

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the next featured design in this exciting week of leaf art exploration!

CHECK OUT THE LEAF ARTS COURSE HERE

Crochet on Leaves - Day 2 Exploring Sea Grape Leaf Art

 

Day 2: Crochet on Leaves

Crochet isn’t just for fabric - it can beautifully frame and enhance natural surfaces. Today’s piece features crochet work on the sea grape leaves, giving a lace-like effect on the leaves. 

This technique adds strength while keeping the organic elegance of the leaf intact. By adding different color yarn and fibers you can create different looks.  I also use the crochet to join leaves together.

Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing examples of my weaving on leaves!

Want to Learn How to Create with Leaves?

If you’re curious about working with dried leaves as an artistic surface, I teach techniques that allow you to incorporate them into your own projects. My Leaf Art Course covers everything from preparation to design, giving you the tools to explore this unique medium with confidence.

Learn More and Enroll Today!

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the next featured design in this exciting week of leaf art exploration!

CHECK OUT THE LEAF ARTS COURSE HERE

Transforming Nature into Art - Leaf Arts Course

 Transforming Nature into Art - Leaf Arts Online Course

I am pleased to share my latest online course working creatively on dried leaves.

Leaf Arts - Transforming Nature into Art is a course that takes you through all the creative stages of working on your dried leaves.

Weaving on leaves

We take our time to slow stitch, weave, crochet, paint and create some amazing wood burning effects on the surface of the leaves. It is available at a discounted price until the 15th February, check out the course and see what you think. 

Slow Stitching on Leaves

There are also a range of bonuses for you to access on the course.

Burning Designs onto leaves

I am looking forward to welcoming you into the course community.

Check out the course HERE

Mixed Media Art Leaves - Fodder Challenge

I am excited to share that Monday 7th October is my day for sharing my lesson on Fodder Challenge. I am working with dried leaves, and I share how you can alter them and create mini pieces of art.

You will see how I paint, stitch, stamp and use a range of different supplies on the leaves.

Here are some of my painted leaves.  I will be sharing on Instagram over the next few days the work that the students create, so be prepared to be inspired.  Join us HERE or check out the #fodderchallenge 

Here are leaves that have been painting and circles cut in them as decoration.

If you are not part of the Fodder challenge, why not do some experimenting on some leaves and see how you get on. I do love slow stitching on the leaves and depending on the kind of leaf you select you will find that some are thicker than others, so they are sturdier and handle better, see what you can find, there is a wide selection to choose from.

You can also check out my new course that is available at the Early Bird price, all about Leaf Arts and what you can do on them. We go into detail about working with them and I share additional techniques for working with them. 

Check out the Leaf Arts Course HERE

Before You Go

Get your FREE Art Papers in the Arts Resource Hub for October