Workshop & Course Testimonials: Clients & participants

Moth-1
A “blind contour” sketch made while carefully observing a moth during a facilitated drawing exercise. Notes describe the color, texture and size, as well as explore questions re the moth’s natural history.
  • “I used your facilitated nature drawing exercises with two groups I taught this weekend at Harvard Forest, and even though I’m not an artist, they thought I was! Thanks for the resources.” C. Hart, Harvard Forest Outreach & Development Manager for Education & Research Programs (USA)
  • “It will be so wonderful to have you back, dedicating the journaling as a very solid piece of the curriculum….you are much needed. The evaluations showed that it wasn’t done as comprehensively and with as much skill by others.  You are such a great teacher with your journaling techniques, and imitation is never as good as the real thing!”  D. Fassnacht, Watershed Education Network Executive Director; serving as naturalist/field journaling instructor for summer watershed ecology program (USA)
  • “What you showed me on our backpack trip has been immensely valuable.  I think I’m a better observer, thanks to you!”  G. Killeen, literature professor and aspiring nature artist (USA)
  • “I appreciate drawing so much more now!” and “That was the most enjoyable drawing experience I have ever had.“  Harvard students after this course (USA)
  • “I need you back to lead the field journaling […]   I love that idea, let’s keep it alive.  You’d be the perfect person to do that, absolutely, no question.  […]  You brought so much to the WildCiv program and are still at the nexus.”  N. Phear, University of Montana Climate Change Studies program coordinator and co-founder; former University of Montana Wilderness and Civilization coordinator
  • Workshop participant sketches leaves and acorns using tracing and blind contour techniques.
    Workshop participant sketches leaves and acorns using tracing and blind contour techniques.
    “What I really appreciate is what you bring to workshops, Bethann — a structured, interactive, androgogical  approach to everything you do. It is in our ability to find other workshop facilitators like you that will enable us to stand out: if only it were that simple.” M. Thibeau, executive director; community development & entrepreneurship organization (Canada)

     

  • “You are the best [sketching and field journal] resource I know!” J. Polfus, caribou researcher and artist, in response to my Twitter call for ecologists’ suggestions re #sciart resources for this ‘sketching for scientists’ workshop at ESA 2014. (Canada)
  • “I wasn’t going to miss your workshop. I think you have a real talent for communicating what you’ve discovered — and also for goading us into actually sitting down and doing some drawing! […] You did a great job of presenting the whole topic, and I think everyone learned something new. Even the other people on my table who all seemed to be pretty competent sketchers already.” Dr. B. Waterhouse, professional organist and translator (Canada)
  • “I should be the one thanking YOU! I learned tons, not just drawing techniques but also interesting art history facts. Save that presentation!” N. Pavey, sustainable development translator (Canada)
  • “You did a fantastic job in presenting an insightful talk and some easy exercises that were empowering.” M. Thibeau, executive director; community development & entrepreneurship organization (Canada)

Follow these links for testimonials about my illustration and photography.