A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to bring the ancient technique of Nature Printing to the members of the Philadelphia Botanical Club and the Delaware Valley Fern and Wildflower Society. The workshop, organized by field trip coordinator David Lauer, was held at beautiful Pennypack Preserve in Huntingdon Valley, PA.

No doubt, each of the 19 participants greatly revere the horticultural world and hold genuine sensitivity toward these subjects. I find that reverence and sensitivity to be particularly important criteria for creating well-defined, skillful nature prints of plants.

Even a modest understanding and appreciation for the qualities of plants – their unique forms, patterns and structures – contribute to making authentic, successful impressions of them.

Those who study, work or play with plant life have an innate proficiency and resourcefulness for plant printing. With frequent handling of plants, we acquire a natural dexterity (hands are full of insight!) and, as we begin printing, the creativity we all possess bubbles out easily, competently. Those who have never worked with inks need a little extra practice, but after becoming familiar with the materials their love of all things botanical takes over.

After two and a half hours of collecting and printing abundant specimens from the wandering trails of Pennypack, and utilizing sprigs of sage, lavender, grapevine, ivy, black-eyed Susan and other plants brought from my garden, many lovely nature prints were accomplished.

A fabulous day!