Impressions of Nature: Becoming an Amazing Monoprint Journey
This project began in 2002 casting and printing objects found on our smallholding. We researched poetry, folklore and symbolism which emphasised the greater meaning and intrinsic importance of natural history especially its importance in the lives of humans. In 2023 I decided to start a year long nature journal making prints of the plants around my home and gathering research about them, I have been sharing them on social media and a few of the videos I have made have gone a little viral as has this one...last I looked it had over 4 million views on TikTok and nearly 6 million on Instagram! I am always shocked when this happen but I thought I should celebrate it this time.
I am often completely amazed by the gorgeousness of the monoprints I make…but this one was a complete surprise…
I thought it would be a real challenge but it was easy to print and the detail is incredible. It’s a great one to add to my print nature journal. What do you think?
I have a patch of marsh woundwort in the field (Stachys palustris), also commonly known as hedgenettle. Whilst it does not have widely recognised symbolic meaning, it could represent the concept of adaptability or strength in challenging environments due to its ability to thrive in marshy conditions.
The Stachys genus were sometimes believed to have medicinal properties and were used in traditional herbal remedies. For example, Stachys officinalis (betony) was regarded as a powerful herb and in some European traditions, it was believed that carrying a sprig of Marsh Woundwort could protect against evil spirits and witches. It was also thought to bring good luck and ensure a bountiful harvest if planted near the entrance of a home or field. It has also been known to repel snakes and so planting it around the house may deter them, probably due to its fairly pungent scent.
This will be a lovely addition to my print nature journal which will have to be bound in seasons I think.
If you would like to have a go at this wonderful process, this is a great activity for all ages there are some useful links on the website HERE which might be helpful.
I find making maths understandable through clear examples easier to think about when there is a concrete question to start from. Following one worked example slowly can reveal the reasoning behind a method. This is why I would approach mathematics learning support with a specific question rather than a fixed expectation. I am still thinking through the details, and a small example would help me picture how this works in practice. What helps a learner move from copying a solution to choosing a method independently?
There is something approachable about discussing making online tutoring sessions effective through situations people can actually picture. A clear question before a session can help the learner use the available time well. It makes me curious about the practical side of online tutoring support. I would be interested in a simple example, because it is often the ordinary details that make an idea memorable. How would you check that a tutoring explanation has actually become understandable?
There is something approachable about discussing choosing books for a varied reading collection through situations people can actually picture. A balanced collection can include familiar interests and a few titles that invite something new. It also gives the phrase book selection ideas a clearer meaning than a label on its own. The part I would like to explore further is what happens when the idea meets a real situation with its own limitations. How do you choose books for readers with very different tastes?
What interests me about supporting the move into secondary school is how a broad idea becomes part of an ordinary day. New routines can take time to become familiar even when a student enjoys the lessons. It gives me a more concrete starting point for thinking about secondary school transition. I would probably come back to this question after trying to work through one concrete example rather than deciding immediately. Which parts of the school day need the clearest introduction for new students?
A conversation about planning the next step in graduate education seems most useful to me when it leaves space for uncertainty and further questions. A clear research interest can make a programme comparison more meaningful than a list of rankings. It makes me curious about the practical side of graduate study planning. I would probably come back to this question after trying to work through one concrete example rather than deciding immediately. What would help you decide whether a programme fits your learning goals?