Textures of Nature: How Fall Walks Inspire Art

As the seasons shift and the air turns cooler, I find myself drawn outdoors even more. Fall has a way of slowing us down, encouraging us to notice the leaves turning color. For me, these quiet moments in nature often become the spark for new creative ideas.

Whether I’m riding my bike, swimming in a spring, kayaking across a lake, or walking through a shaded trail, my imagination comes alive when I’m surrounded by the natural world.

This very idea inspired a piece I created for CityArt’s Factory, Ginormous Art Show in Downtown Orlando, where each submission had to be 6'x6' in size.

I began collecting parts of nature that caught my eye — leaves, plants, and other small treasures during my walks. Instead of simply pressing them into a book or tucking them away, I wondered how they could live again through art.

Using leftover plywood, I created rectangular and square panels to serve as canvases. On them, I arranged and glued leaves, twigs, and bark in patterned designs, hoping the textures would draw viewers in and encourage them to notice the details more profoundly. When it came time to bring the piece together, I connected each panel with 2x2 wooden supports.

The result was Textures of Nature — a mixed media work crafted from repurposed wood and autumn finds. The layered textures of leaves, bark,
and twigs became the focal point, a reminder that inspiration is everywhere if we pause to notice it. My hope is that the piece also inspires the feeling of the great outdoors within the comfort of home.

Fall walks are more than just a seasonal pastime — they’re an invitation to reconnect with creativity. When we collect, observe, and transform what we find, we not only make art but also discover new ways of seeing the world around us.

Artwork:
Textures of Nature
6'x6' Mixed Media
Made from repurposed wood + autumn treasures

Keep the Inspiration Coming
If you loved this, you’ll love Sketchbook Stories—my free weekly email where creativity shows up every Wednesday with ideas, art, behind-the-scenes peeks and more. Join Sketchbook Stories below!

Sketchbook Stories

Where creativity appears in your inbox every Wednesday!

Plus, subscribers get:

• Exclusive art drops + early access to new products

• Invites to special events and workshops

• Behind-the-scenes studio peeks

It will be bursting with creativit, imagination, original art, and thoughtful reflections