As a passionate gardener and nature lover, I’m always looking for ways to connect more deeply with the natural world around me. That’s why I was so excited when I came across the new book ‘Color In and Out of the Garden’ by Lorene Edwards Forkner. This unique book combines inspiration for observing colors in nature, painting simple watercolors, and cultivating mindfulness – all while enjoying the beauty of gardens.
An Invitation to Truly See the Colors of Nature
In our busy modern lives, it’s easy to rush past the subtle details of nature without really stopping to appreciate them. ‘Color In and Out of the Garden’ encourages readers to sharpen their powers of observation and focus attention on the lovely palette that exists in gardens and the natural world.
Arranged by color, each chapter helps you notice the myriad shades that exist in blossoms, foliage, bark, stones, and more. For example, the elusive ‘blue’ blossom contains so many nuances – cobalt, denim, borage, sky, midnight, and larkspur. Tuning into these subtle differences allows us to see common flowers and plants with fresh eyes.
As Forkner writes, “The process of truly seeing allows us to tease out the myriad of color threads in each object Attention allows deeper inspection and retrospection.” Taking time to observe a single blossom or leaf can reveal surprises about color and deepen our connection with nature
Simple, Meditative Watercolors to Capture Natural Hues
In addition to encouraging mindful observation, the book provides simple prompts for making watercolor paintings of plants and natural specimens. The goal isn’t to create perfect art – it’s to recreate the colors you observe as a path to seeing more deeply.
Forkner shares her own vibrant watercolor paintings and offers guidance for mixing the right paints to match each color palette. The paintings help reinforce what you notice while observing nature. As Forkner writes “You may be surprised how much you can see when you meditate on a single blossom.”
Making casual watercolors becomes a mindfulness exercise that builds focus, appreciation, and connection with nature. And you end up with beautiful paintings capturing the colors of the garden!
Cultivating Mindfulness and Joy in the Garden
While focusing on color, the book weaves in inspiring reflections on gardening, nature, food, and finding meaning in small daily practices. Forkner shares how her daily 100-day painting practice brought comfort after a devastating personal loss and evolved into a years-long meditative ritual.
Her book highlights how tuning into natural beauty fosters gratitude, presence, and an appreciation for fleeting moments. As she writes, “This collection of careful color studies of botanical treasures is offered out to us by the knowing hands of a gardener, the refined eye of an artist, the time-tested taste of a cook, and the heart of a compassionate mother.”
‘Color In and Out of the Garden’ ultimately provides encouragement to live fully and find joy in ordinary moments – through color, nature, food, gardens, and art.
Who Would Enjoy This Book?
This unique book would appeal to a wide range of readers, including:
- Gardeners looking to engage more deeply with plants and nature
- Artists interested in simple watercolor techniques
- Cooks who value fresh, seasonal ingredients
- Nature lovers seeking mindfulness practices
- Anyone searching for inspiration to live with intention
It’s a magnificent book for awakening your senses and rediscovering the beauty around you.
My Key Takeaways
Here are some of my biggest takeaways from reading ‘Color In and Out of the Garden’:
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Slow down and pay closer attention to see the amazing range of colors in nature. Make time to truly observe.
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Watercolor paintings of natural specimens reinforce appreciation and observation. Don’t worry about perfection.
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Mindfully engaging with nature fosters gratitude, presence, and connection. Escape from the daily rush.
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Find inspiration in small daily practices like painting, gardening, and cooking with intention.
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Live fully in each moment and notice fleeting beauty. Slow down to appreciate life.
A Rejuvenating Read for Any Nature Lover
For gardeners, artists, cooks, and anyone seeking inspiration, ‘Color In and Out of the Garden’ is a rejuvenating read. It highlights how engaging deeply with nature and practicing mindfulness can cultivate joy and intention in daily life. If you’re looking for encouragement to live with attention, appreciation, and connection with the natural world, I highly recommend this uplifting new book. It will open your eyes to the subtle beauty right outside your door.
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In preparation for May and Mother’s Day here in the US, this week we’re in conversation with Lorene Edwards Forkner, a gardener, a writer, a cook, a mother, a daughter, the garden columnist for the Seattle Times, and known as gardenercook on-line. Lorene joins CP this week to share more about her artistic garden-based daily practice for the last 4 years, which has resulted in the new book: Color in and Out of the Garden, Watercolor Practices for Painters, Gardeners, and Nature Lovers, out now from Abrams Press. The practice and the book are invitations to lean into her own mission statement in life, seen primarily through the lens of the garden: “look closely, with great heart”. A good blessing for all mothering souls in the world.
s courtesy of Lorene Edwards Forkner, all rights reserved.