Art for Joy & Healing

Nature-inspired creative practice for individuals, communities, and organizations seeking calm, connection, and authentic expression.

This is a space where art, nature, spirit, and gentle guidance come together to support well-being. Through creative-expressive nature journaling, process-based art workshops, and collaborations with libraries, nature centers, and retreat spaces, you’ll find practices that help quiet the nervous system, rekindle wonder, and nurture a kinder relationship with yourself and the living world.

A light blue watercolor paint stroke on a transparent background. Nancy DeNicolo Creative Nature Journaling

Welcome

A large pink watercolor stroke with darker purple and lighter pink areas. Nancy DeNicolo Beginner Watercolor Classes

Mindful Creative Programs for Organizations & Community Spaces

I collaborate with a wide range of organizations and community spaces to offer gentle, mindfulness-based art and nature journaling experiences for adults and intergenerational groups — grounded in simple, accessible practices rather than anything technical or scientific. Programs are a beautiful fit for libraries, museums, galleries, arts and cultural centers, nature and environmental organizations, retreat venues, schools and colleges, community and senior centers, spiritual and contemplative communities, wellness and healthcare settings, women’s spaces and women-centered programs, non-profits, and workplace or employee wellness initiatives.

A light blue watercolor circle on a white background. Nancy DeNicolo Corporate Workplace Experiences Team Bonding

Guided Creative-Expressive Nature Journaling

A watercolor and ink illustration of a garden scene with colorful flowers, purple and yellow lupines, and a small thatched-roof hut. Handwritten notes describe the scene and date, August 2023. Nancy DeNicolo Mindful Nature Journaling

Introductory or ongoing series inviting participants to observe, sketch, paint, and write in response to the natural world seen and unseen around them. These sessions blend gentle somatic cues, imagination inspiration, with open-ended creative prompts, helping people slow down, notice more, and feel a deeper sense of connection to place and self. Over time, the journal becomes a companion for reflection, stress relief, and everyday wonder.

A close-up of two blue, transparent, worm-shaped candies with a wavy texture. Nancy DeNicolo Art and Movement Experiences and Events

Beginner Watercolor Classes

People sitting around a table creating art projects with branches and natural materials, indoors. Nancy DeNicolo Women's Art Circles and Experiences

A relaxed exploration of simple, easy watercolor techniques designed to help people unwind and enjoy the process of painting. Participants experiment with color, flow, and playful mark-making rather than trying to “get it right,” building confidence through curiosity and practice. These classes are welcoming to true beginners and anyone who hasn’t picked up a brush in years.

Art as Stress Relief & Connection

A watercolor illustration of a light blue bowl with a textured surface. Nancy DeNicolo Creative Watercolor Classes Beginners

Watercolor paintings of a circular landscape scene and an abstract concentric circle pattern on white paper. Art supplies, including a jar of water, paintbrushes, and watercolor palettes, are visible on the table. Nancy DeNicolo Nature Watercolor

Gentle, creative circles that support emotional well-being, community building, and a sense of belonging — especially nurturing for women in midlife and beyond. Through simple, process-based art invitations, quiet reflection, and optional sharing, participants are encouraged to set down perfectionism and tend to their inner lives with kindness. These gatherings create a steady, nourishing space to exhale, feel seen, and reconnect with one another, and are also offered as trainings for therapists, counselors, and teachers who wish to bring this kind of artful support into their own work.

REACH OUT TO LEARN MORE

Pink watercolor background with dark purple at the bottom. Nancy DeNicolo Art for Joy and Healing

A Personal Portfolio Inspired by the Natural World

Smiling woman with curly gray hair, sunglasses, a denim jacket, a colorful scarf, and a blue skirt standing in front of a large yellow sculpture that spells "YQ" outdoors in an urban setting with a stone building in the background. Nancy DeNicolo

Light blue watercolor texture with various horizontal streaks and patches. Nancy DeNicolo Creative Watercolor Nature Journaling Mixed Media

About Nancy

I am an artist, educator, and former mental health counselor who has spent my life at the intersection of creativity, care, and learning. I began my career in schools as a psychologist and teacher, then gradually followed a longtime pull toward the gentle, healing spaces where art and the natural world meet.

My spaces feel relaxed and playful, yet they’re grounded in deep professional training. I am a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor with permanent certifications in School Psychology, Elementary Education (K–6), and Art Education (K–12). Many years of continuing education in creative arts therapies and mind–body approaches - including Yoga teacher training - inform the way I design and facilitate every experience.

Over the years, I’ve taught art, led workshops, and developed a process-based approach to nature journaling that blends mindful observation and somatic practices including breathing and stretching, watercolor, drawing and writing as a way to ease stress and reconnect with what feels most alive.

Now, from my home base in Connecticut, I spend my days teaching, painting, and wandering local trails - holding welcoming spaces where women and communities can rest, play, and remember their innate creativity.

Watercolor background with light blue watercolor wash. Nancy DeNicolo Nature Journaling Classes Outdoor Experiences

Events & Activities

2026 Experiences

Two watercolor paintings of branches and landscapes are on a table surrounded by art supplies including a watercolor paint set, a dried branch, and a crumpled paper. Nancy DeNicolo Beginner Watercolor Classes Women's Circle

DRAWING NATURE: TREES

Learn tree lore and symbolism, study the forms of roots, bark, and branches, and create a small graphite, watercolor, and mixed-media memento of your tree connection.

Colorful watercolor painting of planets and celestial symbols labeled 'Sun', 'Earth', 'Heart', 'Light', 'Love', 'Root', and 'Fire' on a piece of paper. There is also a small sprig of dried white flowers with green leaves placed next to the paper.

COLOR: SCIENCE & SPIRIT

Watercolor painting of a garden scene with trees, flowers, and a structure, with handwritten notes at the bottom. Nancy DeNicolo watercolor nature journaling mixed media art therapy

Explore the luminous world of color, play with watercolor techniques, and discover how to make your paintings glow while expressing the deeper layers of your soul.

HOW TO KEEP A CREATIVE-EXPRESSIVE NATURE JOURNAL

Experiment with 13 simple prompts that blend drawing and writing, helping you collaborate with Mother Earth through watercolor and mixed media in a nature-inspired journal.

A hand with a bracelet on the wrist, holding a small ladybug on the middle finger, against a blurred outdoor background. Nancy DeNicolo art and movement outdoor experiences

GO WITH THE FLOW

Breathe, stretch, draw, and write in an experiential, playful workshop that loosens the hand and frees the mind. Partner with water and color to create beautiful abstract, nature-inspired paintings and rekindle your creative spark.

INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING? REACH OUT!

Popular Activities

EARTHMIND JOURNALING

In this gentle nature journaling workshop, art, nature, and mindfulness come together as you slow down to notice the world around you. With simple prompts in sketching, watercolor, and writing, you’ll be invited to relax your nervous system, explore your creativity, and let the page hold what you see and feel. No art experience in needed - just a willingness to pause, breathe, and be present.

A person sitting cross-legged on large rocks by a body of water, wearing a gray hoodie, with a lighthouse in the distance on the horizon under a cloudy sky. Nancy DeNicolo creative nature journaling mixed media classes

EXPLORING SKIES & CLOUDS WITH WATERCOLOR

A mindful, nature-inspired art experience where Nancy gently guided participants to observe the sky, then translate their impressions into playful, expressive watercolor paintings—welcoming all skill levels and personal styles.

An elderly woman with glasses and a colorful knit hat working on an arts and crafts project at a table with several adults. The table has sticks, a vase with branches, paint, and paper with drawings. Nancy DeNicolo Watercolor classes for beginners

SAMHAIN CREATIVE GATHERING FOR MAIDENS, MOTHERS & CRONES

An intergenerational Samhain art gathering where women of all ages came together in nature to explore autumn’s beauty through playful, expressive watercolor and writing prompts—no art experience needed, just curiosity, creativity, and wild-woman wisdom.

Pink wavy strip on a light background. Nancy DeNicolo corporate retreat team building art and movement activities

Let’s Collaborate

Whether you’re an individual hoping to join a workshop, a librarian planning a creative series, a retreat host, or a therapist or educator curious about integrating creative-expressive practices, I’d love to hear from you.

Share a bit about your ideas, and I’ll be in touch with next steps.