Nature Sculpting

We humans sometimes think we are the only ones who practice art.

But a quick walk in the woods reveals that there is colour, form, texture and patterns everywhere we look.  Nature is full of art, even in winter.  Andy Goldsworthy knows this.

Goldsworthy’s creations celebrate the beauty of impermanence. In winter, he crafts delicate sculptures using only found natural objects. Picture this: he breathes icicles together to form a shimmering frozen star, or he presses snow onto tree trunks in intricate spirals. Using no tools but his hands, he transforms the landscape into a gallery of ephemeral art. Once complete, Goldsworthy photographs his work and leaves it to nature, where wind, snow, and time gently reclaim it.

You too can make a beautiful nature sculpture.  Here is how:

1. Choose Your Canvas: Find a natural area minimally impacted by humans. This could be a forest, park, or even your backyard.

2. Seek Inspiration: Before you start, explore Andy Goldsworthy’s art online. See how he uses simplicity and natural patterns to create beautiful art.

3. Harvest Responsibly: If you decide to use natural materials like dried wildflowers or evergreen boughs, take only small amounts from one spot and move along. Or challenge yourself to work exclusively with materials already on the ground, such as fallen leaves, twigs, or snow.

4. Practice Reciprocity: Bring a garbage bag to collect litter as you explore. Consider sprinkling wildflower seeds in soft soil or finding another way to give back to the environment. Always aim to leave the space better than you found it.

5. Create in Groups: In pairs or small groups, create your own nature sculpture. Think about the elements of art: pattern, colour, form, texture, and shape. Your creation could be flat on the ground, freestanding, or even suspended from a branch.

6. Name Your Masterpiece: Give your sculpture a title that reflects its essence or the inspiration behind it.

7. Capture the Moment: Take a photo of your work before nature takes it back. This moment of impermanence is part of the beauty.

8. Host an Exhibit: Invite others to tour the sculptures. Sip grape juice (or wine, for adults) as you savor the natural forms in a shared celebration of creativity.

9. Let Nature Reclaim: Leave your sculptures in place, allowing the elements to gradually transform your art back into the Earth where it came from.

Sculpting Across Seasons

Nature sculpting isn’t limited to winter. Each season brings unique materials and opportunities. Spring offers blossoms and budding leaves, summer is rich with grasses and wildflowers, autumn provides fiery leaves and seed pods, and winter brings snow, ice, and stark silhouettes.

What can you create using what’s at hand? How can your art honor the natural world while inspiring others? Share your creations widely to encourage more people to engage with the beauty of nature.

Andy Goldsworthy’s art reminds us that even the simplest materials—a handful of snow, a cluster of icicles, or a trail of leaves—can become extraordinary. With your own nature sculpture, you’re not just creating art; you’re forming a deeper connection with the world around you.

Submitted by Jacob Rodenburg, Author & Executive Director of Camp Kawartha, an award-winning outdoor education centre and summer camp.