Wild Art – Online Courses

Join nature mentors Rainbow & Andy for a series of classes that draw inspiration from nature as you explore your wild creativity. Save when you sign up for multiple weeks at a time!

Looking for Justin’s Teen and Adult mentoring courses? Click Here.

Wild Animal Art (ages 5 – 8)

This course is offered as a weekly series of classes from Tuesday, May 19th through Tuesday, June 16th. Sign up for one, or all 5! This course will deepen your awareness and connection to the animals you see and hear around you. Each week, we will focus on a different group of animals:
– Week 1: Mammals
– Week 2: Reptiles + Amphibians
– Week 3: Insects + Arachnids
– Week 4: Birds
– Week 5: Fish

Each week we will meet as a group on a video call at 9am, where your mentors, Rainbow & Andy will introduce the activities for the day, and then you will be sent off on outdoor adventures! Your mentors will prepare video lessons to guide you through a variety of art projects and movement practices as you make, embody, and become an ally to wild animals. We will meet again as a group at 2pm to share your creations and stories from the day.

Each class will rely on mostly found natural materials, but these supplies will help to supplement as you put together your projects:
– Glue
– String (natural if possible – cotton twine or jute twine, hemp chord)
– Paint and Paintbrushes
– Paper
– Pencils
– Scissors

For this age group, this class will require some support from an adult, and is also fun for the whole family!

Wild Art (ages 8 – 17)

This course is offered as a weekly series of classes from Thursday, May 21st through Thursday, June 18th. Sign up for one, or all 5! During this course, you will make your own art materials and learn how to use them. Rainbow & Andy will guide you in the following projects to enhance your naturalist skills and your creativity:
– Week 1: Making vine charcoal + drawing exercises
– Week 2: Making paint and paintbrushes + painting exercises
– Week 3: Found object sculpture (using sticks, rocks, plants and other natural materials to create art for art sake)
– Week 4: Nature mandalas and mobiles.
– Week 5: Making dye and dying cotton, wool, silk, linen (any natural material) + making pens and using the dye as ink.

Each week we will meet as a group on a video call at 9am, where Rainbow & Andy will introduce the activities for the day, and then you will be sent off on outdoor adventures! Your mentors will prepare detailed instructions and video lessons to guide you on your journey, and will be available throughout the day to answer questions. We will meet again as a group at 2pm to share your creations and stories from the day.

Each class will rely on mostly found natural materials, but these supplies will help to supplement as you put together your projects:
– String
– Metal can w/ metal lid (e.g. soup can)
– Natural Cloth to dye
– Pot to boil water in
– Small jars to store ink
– Clippers or a knife
– Paper (for drawing and painting)

This class is designed to be self-directed, though younger students may require some hands-on support throughout the day.

Meet your Mentors

Jackie “Rainbow” Ryan has a BA in Studio Art. She is a yoga teacher and dance facilitator. Rainbow uses these other talents to infuse her nature mentoring skills with creativity. You can see her artwork at visionfaerie.art. 

Andy Dobos has a BFA in Sculpture and is certified level 3 in wildlife track & sign identification. He has 15 years of experience mentoring all ages in nature connection and wilderness skills. Visit theforestwolf.com to learn more about Andy’s art and mentoring.