Boating Botanist
discover nature through artmaking
at 4 miles per hour
creative workshops guided by intentional observation
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for artists looking to be inspired by the natural world,
nature lovers who want to get in touch with their creative side,
or anyone interested in observing the world around them in a new way
discover nature through artmaking
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the boat
The speed limit on the British canal network is 4 mph. There is no better place to slow down and observe your surroundings.
Hi, I'm Kristel! I live and create aboard my floating studio Layla,
a purple 60-ft narrowboat, and draw directly on this lifestyle in facilitating creative workshops.
My workshops are for artists looking to be inspired by the natural world, nature lovers who want to get in touch with their creative side, or anyone interested in observing the world around them in a new way.
The emphasis of the workshops is on the creative process and having fun. No background in biology or art required, only curiosity.
the botanist
I’m a Harvard-educated botanist with a PhD in tree winter bud morphology. While working in the academic, botanical world, I learned to observe nature very closely.
It never ceases to amaze me which amazing surprises you can find in your natural surroundings if you just stop and look.
the art practice
I make stuff inspired by life
in the slow lane on the British canals
and by my background in botany
and evolutionary biology.
the creative events
I love to inspire naturalists
to embrace their creativity and
creatives to draw inspiration from nature.
I offer online programmes open
to anyone in the world and
place-based workshops tailor-made to venues and their unique natural surroundings.
2026 events calendar
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Interested in collaborating on an event or lecture? I'd love to hear from you!
Please reach out via email or DM me on Instagram.
26 Jan
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) (online)
"The value of—not so—simply observing in botany"
Online guest lecture for the course Non-Human Designers
11 Feb
Edge Hill Horticultural Society (Ormskirk, UK)
Creative workshop: An eight-page zine inspired by botany
Edge Hill University Horticultural Society
20-23 Apr
We Carry On (Reutum, the Netherlands)
Creative workshop: Nature journaling inspired by the landscape of the Twente region.
This workshop is part of a holiday package offered by tour operator We Carry On.
17, 14, 21, 28 May and 4 June
Timeless Trees
a creative exploration, inspired by science (5 online sessions)
Do you love to draw or look at trees but wish you knew more about them? Would you like to let the story of trees guide you in spontaneous, expressive artmaking? Learn to see trees with fresh eyes, through a combination of science and artistic exploration.
In Timeless Trees we’ll slowly travel back in time and learn to understand trees at different timescales. Every week, we explore trees in a different time frame, from seasons changing in a year, to the century it takes for a seedling to turn into a centenarian, before diving into deep time and meeting the very first trees over 300 million years ago.
Sessions are held on Zoom, and are interactive. Instruction is in English.
3-6 Aug
We Carry On (Reutum, the Netherlands)
Creative workshop: Nature journaling inspired by the landscape of the Twente region.
This workshop is part of a holiday package offered by tour operator We Carry On.
9 Aug
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University (online, members-only)
Online workshop: Nature Journaling.
Are you trying to get (back) into a nature-journaling practice? Interested in discovering a new, creative way to engage with the world of trees? Join this online, interactive session for some spontaneous and expressive artmaking, inspired by a tree near you! We will gather online to respond creatively to the trees in our respective corners of the world. The session consists of various free-form sketchbook experiments that celebrate the diversity of tree form.
20 Aug
Botanical University Challenge/Student Botany Festival (University of Reading)
Keynote talk
2 Oct
Royal Talens Experience Centre (Apeldoorn, the Netherlands)
Workshop:
Autumn experience in a handcrafted sketchbook/Herfstbeleving in een zelfgemaakt schetsboek
More information coming soon.
here's what participants say
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”I appreciated the low-key, positive and creative approach of the instructor ... I have continued to use what I learned in the workshop and shared the ideas and practices with others.”
”Kristel's approach was very accessible and encouraging. Her supplies were fabulous. She was connective and super helpful, informative and friendly.”
”I enjoyed the way the class was structured and organized: presentation by the instructor, working with self-learning sheet (with exercise), going outside to get inspiration, and finalizing a project! Also, I enjoyed the atmosphere, that the class felt welcoming and open to everyone.”
”I know everyone who attended had a wonderful time and I think several will be inspired to continue to create. I have already pulled out my old drawing supplies and intend to make more time for my right brain to stretch its legs (or neurons!) again.”
”I don't consider myself a visual artist or drawing as a strength, but the program surprised me in what I could do.”
”It did inspire me to try to draw more, just because drawing so good for your brain.”
the Boating Botanist on Insta
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You can follow my adventures in boating, botany and artmaking on my Instagram account.
© 2026 Kristel Schoonderwoerd