The Illuminated Journal, an exhibit at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens from August 27 through September 7, features the work of Susan Newbold, a resident of both East Boothbay and Fairfield, Connecticut. Newbold specializes in creating and teaching the art of nature journaling.

The show and two workshops during her week “in residence” at the Botanical Gardens will be in the Bosarge Family Education Center. One of the workshops is for ages 9 through adult. 

Through a vocabulary both representational and abstract, Newbold combines monoprints with drawing, painting and other mixed media to celebrate the infinite design of the natural landscape.  Her intention is to render the joy of creation through the spirit of these elements. She believes that an illustrated journal is a place to work out one’s thoughts, desires, and discoveries.  

From Monday to Wednesday, August 27-29, Newbold will present a workshop, “The Illuminated Journal,” from 9 a.m.to 3 p.m. each day. Participants will create a special nature-inspired journal that will be something to treasure now and into the future.  Through a series of exercises enlightened by the landscape, the group will first create some of the pages for the journal.  Newbold will introduce several different medias including pen and ink, watercolor, collage, printmaking, and interesting methods for combining text with each.  Finally, students will place their journal pages into an artist book finished off with a special binding.  On this journey students will discover (or rediscover) what they love most.   

This intensive course is designed for adults of all experience levels. Prices are $350 for members and $420 for non-members, and pre-registration is required.

Then on Thursday, August 30, Newbold will present “Creating an Accordion Book in Nature” from 9 a.m.-noon. Accordion book construction is one of the most versatile in bookmaking; each book can be used as a journal, card, or hanging object.  First, the class will create original covers for their books using Newbold’s thought-provoking methods and will then work on designing and adding interior pages. Using the beautiful Gardens as a resource in the creative process, making an accordion book will be fun and only as complicated as participants want to make it. 

This class is open to all experience levels, ages nine through adult. Prices are $50 for members and $60 for non-members, and pre-registration is required.

To sign up or for more information, call 633-4333, ext. 101, visit www.MaineGardens.org, or stop by the Botanical Gardens, located off Barters Island Road in Boothbay.