Join me in Hartford, CT for a multi-day class all about making art inspired by nature!
The Nature Sketchbook
A Multi-Day Workshop with Julie Fei-Fan Balzer
April 6-9, 2025
Last year I visited the Monastery Gallery of Art to teach a one-day Collage Faces class. The Monastery Gallery of Art is part of the Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center. As a non-Christian and very liberal person, I was a little bit nervous about the environment, but I needn’t have been. It was warm, welcoming, and non-proselytizing.
Moreover, during my visit, I was absolutely blown away by the beautiful grounds.
As you can see from the photos, they’re lush and wild and full of inspiration for art!
So when the kind folks at the Monastery Gallery of Art invited me to teach a multi-day class I immediately knew that I wanted to create a class that would take advantage of those beautiful grounds.
I have always made art inspired by nature. Sometimes quite literally (such as printing with leaves), and often more obliquely (as in most of my abstract artwork). Here’s a small sampling of my nature inspired artwork and sketchbooks:
Taking in the world outside through sketching, collaging, and photographing is at the heart of my creative process. I take these raw ideas—scribbles, color studies, notes, and snapshots—and transform them into finished artwork. In this class, I’ll guide you through that exact process, step by step, so you can unlock new ways of seeing, recording, and making art.
Surrounded by the stunning natural beauty of the Monastery Gallery of Art, we’ll spend four days filling a handmade sketchbook with observations, artwork, and inspiration. This class is designed for artists of all levels—absolute beginners to experienced creatives. Through a mix of plein air and indoor studio work, we’ll explore drawing, painting, and collage, focusing on color studies, object sketches, nature scenes, and abstraction. Even if you think you can’t draw, you belong in this class!
Class Schedule
Day 1 (Half Day) – Welcome & Sketchbook Making
- Get to know your fellow artists!
- Create your own sketchbook and prep pages as needed.
- Gather materials and discuss how to capture inspiration outdoors.
Day 2 – Sketching in Nature & Studio Transformations
- Spend the morning sketching outside—together and on your own—with live demos and guidance.
- Return to the studio and learn how to transform your sketches, collages, scribbles, and photos into artwork.
- Discover techniques to keep the creative momentum going even when you’re back indoors.
Day 3 – Expanding & Refining Your Ideas
- Review and analyze the previous day’s work.
- Set personal goals for our outdoor session.
- Return to the studio to explore new ways of evolving your sketches into finished artwork.
Day 4 (Half Day) – Finishing Touches & Sharing Our Work
- Add those final touches that bring a piece together.
- Learn my best tips and tricks for turning sketches into polished artwork.
- Share what you’ve created and reflect on the experience.
Everything You Need is Included!
Most supplies, overnight accommodations, plus meals are included. So grab a cheap flight, or hop in the car, and join me for a super fun art experience packed with techniques and ideas to keep you inspired and creating all year long.
I hope to see you in class!
