Eucalyptus Art Exploration

The artists review photographic documentation
of past Art + Nature activities

For our sixth Art + Nature afternoon we gave special attention to a prominent species found throughout the Presidio: the Eucalyptus tree.

For our listening pleasure, a child plays the harmonica

Though bright and sunny, it was a cold and windy afternoon in San Francisco. Entering the forest, we saw remnants of the previous day's rain. The sand was still wet and a small stream running along the path remained.

Free flowing water streams across the foot-path

Delighted, the artists investigate and articulate how water interacts with the surrounding landscape. For example, they noticed that the water moved underground as well as above ground; water takes the path of least resistance.


We identify eucalyptus trees and begin to explore their effects. We collect different parts of the tree that have fallen to the ground including leaves, branches, seed pods, and curly strands of bark.

Left: Pulling bark as it dangles from a branch  
Right: "Look! The bark came from this tree."

Stretching fallen Eucalyptus bark

Admiring the swaying canopy above, listening to sounds of whipping wind and soft music we muse:
"Perhaps the trees are dancing to the music?" 

 "No, they are waving at us," the children reply.


The trees are waving, we agree.

We return to the art studio with a collection bag full of Eucalyptus tree treasures.

First, the artists explore the possibilities of using Eucalyptus bark as a drawing surface.  

Oil pastels glide on smoothly and saturate the bark with pigment. 

Applying crayon over the pastels creates a waxy contrast.

Chalk creates bright patches of color though with less permanence than both crayon and oil pastel. 

Mixing colors on 'nature's paper'

Next, the artists paint.  

Creating multi-colored prints

Using Eucalyptus seed pods as stamps
and the leaves as stencils and stamps

Using a textured paint roller

Rolling out the 'train tracks'

Here the artist uses a tree branch to apply paint

The artists delve deeper into the mixing of colors while witnessing the effects of various brushes on multiple surfaces. Sharing tools, work spaces, and paint provides opportunities to engage each other's artwork and learn together.

Here are some of the completed art pieces from our Eucalyptus themed afternoon adventure:

A chain of colorful leaves

Using branches as paint brushes creates
an interesting Pollack-esque effect

This finished painting features a Eucalyptus leaf imprint

Artwork created with both paper and bark accompanied by 
the longest Eucalyptus leaf we found

Deep green and blue hues reminiscent of leaves

A collaborative piece on display in the art studio

We look forward to our upcoming Art + Nature adventure.
Join the artists next week as we continue exploring and creating together!

Paint + Water + Play

In our fourth Art + Nature gathering we utilized the sunny studio space as a container for artistic experimentation. Upon arrival the children noticed some new elements to the ambiance such as soft background music,  a circular table with stools, stations for painting, and an organized selection of art materials for their choosing.  To start, the artists engaged their tactile senses through the manipulation of 'moon sand' - a sort of sandy play-dough.  

Back: Exploring with moon sand.
Front: Natural treasures collected on their walk to the studio.

This sensorial activity seemed to exercise their artistic muscles and curiosity as their attention then shifted to the paints and paintbrushes at their disposal.

Selecting tools for painting.

Once each painting station was complete with water, paints, brushes, and paper the artists enthusiastically jumped into the exploration of paint and pigment.

Each artist expresses a unique process.

After finishing a few paintings the children traded places to see what it was like to paint in different stations with varying canvas heights, levels of light, access to paint, and availability of tools. We provided 'natural brushes' made of grasses we collected in last week's class to use in today's activities. 

Left: Notice the artist's use of two brushes, one in each hand.

What wonderful use of complimentary colors!

We take a break and enjoy a snack and some water. Water is a vital and fascinating element worthy of repeated discovery and one which the artists agree to engage again today. It begins with pouring the liquid from one container into another - a skill we all develop with practice :-)

Two hands for the watering can!

Noticing the awesome green-colored Elmer's glue sitting amongst the supplies the children decide it is time to collage. We provide them with bowls filled with an eclectic assortment of crafting materials like boxes, beads, popsicle sticks, charms, rocks, crystals, and much more.

Paintbrushes are useful when applying glue.

After placing animal figurines in the green glue,
one experiment involves sticking them to the pavement
followed by a thorough rinse down with a spray bottle.

This interest in the green-colored glue and the water play continues to evolve until the focus of the children's collaborative work is a fusion of these elements.

It begins with a pool for the animals.

Adding more figurines in an orderly fashion.

Back to the glue and craft objects in order to
create an interesting boat for the animals in the water.

The ship as it appears before its maiden voyage.

Teamwork: the children share the task of bringing
animals aboard their boat of artistic wonder.

Everything is under control, we think...

...until the cardboard lid enclosing the pool bulges beyond
its seams and water flows down the driveway.

As we document the artist's natural art and play it becomes more and more clear that the essence of their work is rooted in curiosity and ultimately discovery. Through engaging simple materials and elements the children create their own lesson plans, in a sense, providing insights that are uniquely suited to their interests. Activities such as these exemplify emergent curriculum where we, as adults, intend to provide a container supporting growth and creativity while simultaneously witnessing the process as it unfolds before us.