On this episode of the On The Trails podcast, join host Michael Nickell and special guest John Muir Laws, aka Jack, as they dive into the captivating world of nature journaling. In this engaging conversation, Jack shares his unique journey from a childhood shadowing a family friend’s botanical sketches to becoming a renowned naturalist and educator. Discover the secrets of nature journaling, its profound impact on observation skills, and how it connects us more deeply to the natural world. Whether you're an aspiring artist, a seasoned naturalist, or simply curious, this episode is sure to inspire and ignite your passion for nature and journaling. Don't miss out on Jack's expert tips, fascinating stories, and the magic of capturing the beauty of the outdoors on paper! CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro 2:30 - Your Home Biome 7:20 - Nature Journaling 11:02 - Are You a Gallery Artist 12:35 - How do you Nature Journal 14:07 - Are you an artist, scientist, or educator 16:27 - Do you remember your first drawing 19:50 - What are you working on right now 21:48 - Where do you see yourself in 5 years 26:46 - Nature Journaling Workshop 30:55 - Annular Eclipse 2021 37:00 - Book: The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling 39:40 - Book: How to Teach Nature Journaling 42:05 - The best art teacher I ever had 44:00 - Our brains grow when we challenge ourselves 45:20 - Thank you 46:30 - Where did they go