Wild Ozark™

~ Nature Artist in Kingston, Arkansas ~ Sharing my experience with Nature through art & writing about my life in the Ozarks

Category: Nature

Making Paint from Pink Sandstone of the Ozarks

I’ve been busy as a bee lately making more and more paint. Even though this week my intention was to focus solely on getting ready for upcoming shows and festivals, the lure of a large chunk of pink sandstone seduced … Read the rest “Making Paint from Pink Sandstone of the Ozarks”

21 September 2018
Brown Earth Pigment for my Handmade Watercolor Palette

My son found a rock alongside the driveway, near the creek. He kept it to give me since he knows I’ve been smashing a lot of rocks lately. This one seemed like it would be a great rock to make … Read the rest “Brown Earth Pigment for my Handmade Watercolor Palette”

28 August 2018
The Painting of a Pelican

Pelican No. 1

This painting of a Louisiana Brown Pelican was based mostly on a photo by Shelby Townsend , but I liked the feet on another from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, so modified them to drape over the edge … Read the rest “The Painting of a Pelican”

24 August 2018
A Call for Rocks and a New Page

Saturday I went down to Felkins creek which is near the end of our driveway. It’s not that I needed more rocks. I just wanted to see what the recent rains might have turned up. So I should probably have … Read the rest “A Call for Rocks and a New Page”

20 August 2018
Soul of the Ozarks

I’m sure by now you’ve noticed I’ve been making paint lately, ha. All of my sets of paints are called ‘Soul of the Ozarks’ collections. Each collection is numbered, and starts over in the numbering each year. This post is … Read the rest “Soul of the Ozarks”

18 August 2018
I am Going to Call it ‘Nirvana’

When I made my very first pan of watercolor paint, it was a russet from one of the sandstones on the ground outside. The color was nice, but at the bottom of that pan there was a very thin layer … Read the rest “I am Going to Call it ‘Nirvana’”

17 August 2018
How to Make Handmade Watercolor Paint from Rock or Clay | DIY

This is an old post. Click HERE to download an updated tutorial.

When I get a chance, I’ll update this post, but it might be a while.

Original Post:

Today I’m making handmade watercolor paint from some of our native … Read the rest “How to Make Handmade Watercolor Paint from Rock or Clay | DIY”

15 August 2018
Making Media for Handmade Watercolors

The binder is what makes pigment stick to the paper. Watercolor binder is made from water-soluble tree gums. This particular listing uses gum Arabic, which is harvested from one of two types of acacia trees that grow in Africa.

It … Read the rest “Making Media for Handmade Watercolors”

14 August 2018
The “Panic Stage” in a Work of Nature Art

There’s a new work in progress sitting on my easel. By the time I’m done with this post, it’ll probably be a finished work. It’s another kestrel, and I’ve reached a reliable stage in the process. I call it the … Read the rest “The “Panic Stage” in a Work of Nature Art”

8 August 2018
Clearing the Clutter: Promises, Broken Rocks, and Things to Come

Such promise in a broken rock… I see paints everywhere now. Makes it hard to walk down the driveway. As if that wasn’t already hard enough before I learned about making earth pigments! The path in my office/studio AND the … Read the rest “Clearing the Clutter: Promises, Broken Rocks, and Things to Come”

28 July 2018
The Color of a Plant Does Not Equal the Color of a Paint

I’ve been experimenting with local plants to get a nice, stable, green color for my handmade watercolor paints. Most of the things I’ve tried in my quest for green has resulted in gray or brown. Lamb’s Quarters, a common edible … Read the rest “The Color of a Plant Does Not Equal the Color of a Paint”

25 July 2018
The Dusty Sand of Doha

My plan all along was to gather a bit of the sand of Doha before I left for the sand-stony ground of home. As it turned out, it was harder to find than I expected. Everywhere I went was nothing … Read the rest “The Dusty Sand of Doha”

18 July 2018
Nearly Dry

We’ve had some rain lately, but not enough. The creek that runs through our land is nearly dry now. Thankfully, there are still a few constantly refilling pools here and there, or else I’d have to carry water to the … Read the rest “Nearly Dry”

1 July 2018
Nature Art Recap for the Month of June

The past weeks were very creative ones for me with nature art. I tried something new and have found a new passion that’s bound to grow with a little time – milling pigments! Next step in that exploration is making … Read the rest “Nature Art Recap for the Month of June”

28 June 2018
Organizing, Day 2. One of the More Odd Boxes in My Nature Art Studio

I’ve been organizing my studio and categorizing my nature art supplies so they’re easier to find when I need them.

It’s a normal habit of mine to collect things during my morning walks. Lichens, mosses, interesting rocks, chunks of sandstone … Read the rest “Organizing, Day 2. One of the More Odd Boxes in My Nature Art Studio”

21 June 2018
Oh no! The Virginia Snakeroot babies are all gone!

I went out to check on the Virginia snakeroot nursery the other day and was mortified to find nothing. Not. One. Plant.

Virginia Snakeroot … What’s That?

Now, you might be wondering just what’s so important about a plant that … Read the rest “Oh no! The Virginia Snakeroot babies are all gone!”

17 June 2018
Morning Birdsong Sounds at Wild Ozark

I’m working on a How-To post for making a Fairy Garden pool because I’ve made a cool little kit for folks who want to make it for themselves, but in the meantime here’s some lovely dawn-time birdsong sounds for you … Read the rest “Morning Birdsong Sounds at Wild Ozark”

15 June 2018
Fairy Garden Accessories from Wild Ozark

Introducing my new line of Fairy Garden Accessories – all handmade and one-of-a-kind artwork to complement your fairy garden terrariums!

Market Mainstays

Fairy Gardens have been a mainstay for the Wild Ozark market booth this season. Now I’m starting to … Read the rest “Fairy Garden Accessories from Wild Ozark”

8 June 2018
A Week at Wild Ozark … No, I’m Not Lost

I’m just mired neck deep in a To-Do list of my own making, trying to get organized and into some sort of a groove now that market season has begun. Since I haven’t written in a while, I figured I’d … Read the rest “A Week at Wild Ozark … No, I’m Not Lost”

1 June 2018
Orioles at Orange Slices, Bird in the Chimney

Not the sports team, but the oriole birds have been daily visitors for about a week now. Orioles are a species that had been on my sighting wish list since we moved to the Ozarks. They migrate through our area … Read the rest “Orioles at Orange Slices, Bird in the Chimney”

5 May 2018
Learning the Difference: Ginseng or Buckeye?

Is it ginseng? No, it’s buckeye.

There are a few plants that grow here in the Ozarks that make it really difficult for newbies to identify ginseng. That’s because these look so much like ginseng to the inexperienced eye. These … Read the rest “Learning the Difference: Ginseng or Buckeye?”

25 April 2018
Enjoy Nature: Phlox and Fiddleheads

Here’s a little inspiration to get outside on this beautiful sunny day and enjoy nature.

Phlox is blooming and casting joyful purple splashes all around the Wild Ozark hills and woods, and the fiddleheads are unfurling.

24 April 2018
What’s Not to Love?

I titled this photo “What’s Not to Love?” because I love (almost) everything about living back here in the middle of nowhere.

Heading home is always a pleasure. Once I turn off the pavement, the half hour it takes to … Read the rest “What’s Not to Love?”

21 April 2018
Lousewort, Bumblebee Food and Medicinal Herb

Lousewort (Pedicularis canadensis) is an interesting plant. It’s a medicinal herb said to be effective at muscular pain relief. The bumblebees love it!

Rosy colored variety of Pedicularis, with a bumble bee visiting.

A pale yellow-colored lousewort.

Some lousewort, showing
… Read the rest “Lousewort, Bumblebee Food and Medicinal Herb”

17 April 2018
Watching a Ginseng Habitat Mystery Plant Unfurl

I have a mystery plant to decipher. Last year I went to the woods and took a root division of a plant I wanted to grow in the Ginseng Habitat Demonstration Garden. I put that root cutting into a pot … Read the rest “Watching a Ginseng Habitat Mystery Plant Unfurl”

8 April 2018