Zooming Out, Looking Ahead
The “research phase” has officially begun for my summer workshop, Drawn to Nature, at Madeline Island School of the Arts on Lake Superior, July 20–24, 2026. I’m starting with the wide view—looking at the Great Lakes as a whole—before narrowing in on Lake Superior and the many things that make Madeline Island so special.
Drawing a map always helps me focus. It gives me a sense of the land, water, and geography that shape a place. From there, I begin layering in plant communities, wildlife, and human history—the roots from which cultural traditions, foodways, and arts grow.
I love weaving all of this into a sketchbook, and I invite you to join me for the workshop as we explore different ways to capture the beauty, wonder, and diversity of the natural world in your own sketches. Learn more and register here.
Drawn In 
Hello! Your email says the workshop is in June, but the registration says July. Just wanting to confirm which is correct. Thank you!
YIKES! My screw up! The workshop is in July. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I’ve fixed the post.
Hello Jean,
I so love your art. Though you’re a very patient teacher, I have no idea how you create such aliveness and grace in your work.
Yet please take me off of your email list, as I am very quickly becoming blind and can hardly see this to write. I wish you well, and thank you immensely for your inspiration.
~Judy
I’m so sorry, Judy. I wish you well and hope you find good adaptive resources to help you moving forward.
Hi Jean, Thanks so much for your Sunday morning inspiration. I particularly love this one, a seed for workshop travel! (This year my friend and I are off to Hydra with Sarah B Hansen)…One of these days I hope to make it to Madeleine Island to join you live. Meanwhile I’ll likely sign up for another Winslow session sometime this year. We sold our desert home in December and bought a new Vancouver home in December. Lots of renovation to do so will likely be overly busy the next couple of months. Still I will always have time to enjoy your Sunday Drawn In posts. I really do appreciate these so very much, you are very generous sharing your knowledge. Cheers, Linda
Sounds like you have a busy year ahead! Good luck with the renovations– you may have the wrong type of paint brush in your hands for awhile. We’ll catch up when the time is right!
This give me an idea. In my ttravelsketching workshops i always talked about capturing the moment, while traveling. But why not use the sketchbook a bit like you are to plan the trip. Sketching from photos some of the places you will be visiting and even foods, transportation, etc??? I might give it a try, thanks.
See what you think, Terry. I like it for myself so that I am really prepared for my workshops. I like having a strong sense of place in my travel sketches and doing some advance research helps me bring in elements unique to the place and to choose what to focus on with students. There’s always room for spontaneity too!
You’ve collected some interesting statistics – 20% of the world’s fresh water is just mind boggling. I hope you find many nests, flowers, birds and scenes to explore!
Me too! It will fascinating to explore the island.
Jean! Your maps always have the perfect balance of facts, fun, and flair! Fabulous, always fabulous! What a wonderful workshop instore for participants! Have fun with the research side of preparations!
There is so much common sense intelligence in what you have said here about how the land, water and geography are the foundation for the flora and fauna that give rise to cultural traditions, etc. I’m with you on the value of drawing a map to make sense of it all – but you actually follow through with it. Madeline Island sounds like a wonderful place to explore.
Maybe you don’t have to draw a map– but doing some research before heading someplace new certainly helps. I’m looking forward to this new experience!