What Happens After the Trip? Meet Nature Journal Artist Karen Johnson
One of the greatest joys of leading art and nature expeditions is seeing what participants create long after they return home. The memories may fade with time, but the sketches, color notes, photographs, and observations gathered in the field become an invaluable resource for years of future artwork.
That is exactly what happened with artist Karen Johnson.
I first traveled with Karen to Costa Rica, where her passion for nature journaling was evident from the very beginning. While many travelers snap a quick photo and move on, Karen slows down. She carefully observes each subject, recording not only what she sees, but also the colors, textures, behaviors, and tiny details that make each encounter unique. Her sketchbook became a beautiful visual diary of the rainforest.
Since that first adventure, Karen has transformed those field studies into an impressive body of work. Her illustrations have appeared on fabrics, home décor, gifts, and other products that celebrate the beauty of the natural world. Every page of her journal became the seed for future creative projects.
Most recently, Karen and her family joined me again—this time on our Peru adventure. It was wonderful to watch her continue the same thoughtful process of observing, sketching, and recording the incredible wildlife and landscapes we encountered together. Seeing returning travelers build upon their artistic journey is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
Nature journaling is much more than keeping a sketchbook. It is a way of experiencing a place more deeply. Recording the sights, sounds, colors, textures, and even weather conditions helps you remember details that photographs alone often miss. Those observations become an invaluable reference library that can inspire paintings, illustrations, quilts, fabrics, journals, and countless other creative projects for years to come.
If you’d like to see more of Karen’s beautiful work, be sure to visit:
If you’ve ever dreamed of filling your own sketchbook with tropical birds, butterflies, orchids, frogs, monkeys, and the vibrant colors of the rainforest, I’d love to have you join us on the Costa Rica Art & Photography Adventure in January 2027. Whether you’re an experienced artist or simply curious about nature journaling, you’ll learn practical techniques for observing, sketching, photographing, and collecting reference that will continue to inspire your creativity long after you return home.
Sometimes the most meaningful souvenirs aren’t the ones you buy—they’re the pages you fill yourself.