Visual Journey 44

Paintings, Poems and A New Creative Gathering

Meditation

Open Your Eyes.

I did. 

Seeing the far off curving shape 
of branches hug the dirty window pane.
Almost like they're close.

Sticky fly trap covered;
plants dangling off the shelf,
swinging slightly in the still chilly morning air.

I chose to focus on the glimmer of orange-yellow light. 
Rising slowly; growing, expanding,
brighter and bolder through the stark branches. 

Presence in the quiet stillness 
of a rising sun through murky glass.

Two Trees

Two trees stood out among the others
a cedar and pine, I think.
Swaying in the wind.
I watched them in the dark, early morning light.
Unwavering as the sky changed from deep blue to a golden dawn.
All day long their quiet strength and curving branches met an ever changing sky. 
That day and everyday since, I smile in this remembrance.

Pictured above: Winter watercolors slowly fill my handbound book…only a few pages left.

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If you are interested in owning a watercolor painting, my spring commissions are open. I have ten spots available. I would love to create something meaningful and special for you.

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Sketchbook and morning journaling pages. These places of play and experimentation fuel my other painting. A chance to create without a fully defined idea; guided by intuition, imagination and heart. So much rippling space for creativity. Both are equally important in my life and work.

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Sharing the work of Ruth King who I discovered on Insight Timer. She is the Founder of Mindful of Race Institute, LLC, and is a celebrated author, educator, and meditation teacher.

Formally an organizational development consultant to Intel and Levi Strauss corporations, King currently teaches the Mindful of Race Training Program to leaders, teams, and organizations, weaving mindfulness-based principles with an exploration of our racial conditioning, its impact, and our potential.

King teaches mindfulness meditation retreats worldwide and develops meditation practitioners at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Insight Meditation Society, and the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program. She has a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from John F. Kennedy University, CA, and is the author of several publications including her most recent, Mindful of Race: Transforming Racism From The Inside Out.

Listen to her meditation A Call To Presence https://insig.ht/gQBF58dlkRb and Tonglen : A Practice Of Compassionate Presence and others on Insight Timer for free and see more of her work on her website.

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Workshops

Join me in Brewer, Maine for the Art of Book Making: A Seven Week Course beginning on April 3, 2025. Spots are filling fast! Learn more and register here

For a full calendar of workshops and retreats please visit my website.

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Although this publication is free and always will be (along with watercolor tutorials and interviews on Wildly Made Spirit), I have been feeling a need to share an additional offering to paid subscribers. I truly appreciate you so very much in supporting my work. Every little bit helps and no pledge is too small. Every pledge enables me to continue doing this work and expanding it out to help more people heal through creativity.

If you are a paid subscriber or plan to become one, you will have the opportunity to attend biweekly art sessions on Substack Live. I will be holding The Nature Drawing Collective on the first and third Monday of every month from 10:00-11:00 AM and 6:00-7:00 PM.

I hope you’ll join me for this live art session where we’ll come together to connect, create, share, learn, and ask questions in a supportive, nature-inspired space. This session is all about slowing down, tuning into the seasons, and capturing natures rhythms through journaling.

We’ll use my companion guide, Wandering Wild: Nature Drawing Collective seasonal journaling to help you continue your creative practice beyond the session.

Whether you’re sketching, painting, writing, or simply observing, this live gathering will be a chance to explore techniques, spark ideas, and deepen your connection with the natural world.

Expect guided prompts, creative exercises, and space to share your work (if you choose!). Whether you’re an artist or hobbyist this is an opportunity to nurture your creativity with like-minded individuals.

Let’s gather, create, and celebrate the beauty of each season one page at a time.

This first volume of Wandering Wild: Nature Drawing Collective will cover all the seasons and additional volumes celebrating each season (more specifically), will follow and be sent to you. Our first live session will be Monday March 3, at 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM.

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In Gratitude,

Char XXX

All images and writing ©️Charlene Lutz 2025

***Below is a preview of the book.

Introducing Wandering Wild: Nature Drawing Collective

I’m happy to share this book with you! Wandering Wild is a companion guide designed to help you slow down, observe, and deepen your connection with the natural world through journaling.

Inside, you’ll find prompts, reflections, and creative exercises to inspire your time outdoors whether you’re sketching a fallen leaf, noting the shift in seasons, or simply sitting in quiet observation. This guide is meant to be your companion between our gatherings, offering gentle guidance as you cultivate a mindful journaling practice. This first volume will cover all the seasons and additional volumes celebrating each season (more specifically), will follow.

To become a paid subscriber by upgrading your subscription, receive the full book and link to join our live sessions, click here. If you are already a paid subscriber, the link to download (or print the book) is below the paid content line.