A crisp morning, a winding path, and an invitation to engage all the senses. This was the essence of the inaugural Seasonal Art Walk at Breakout Creek / Purruna Parri, hosted by Donna Gordge for West Torrens Council.

More than a simple stroll, this guided experience intertwined nature, history, and artistic exploration, offering a fresh perspective on both the landscape and our own creative instincts. Being out in nature worked on our wellbeing.

Donna shared an interesting insight into the history of walking for leisure, tracing its rise to popularity in the 1780s as an elite pastime. The tradition, romanticised by guidebooks and literary figures of the time, has deep roots: from ancient Greek philosophers meandering through city outskirts in contemplation to 14th-century poet Francesco Petrarca ascending a mountain purely for the sake of the experience. Walking as a mindful, intentional act gained widespread recognition in the 20th century, and today, it continues to serve as both a mental reset and a creative catalyst.

On this guided walk, we did more than just take in the fresh air and stretch our legs. We tuned into our surroundings, letting the natural world shape our thoughts and artistic responses.

Creativity often begins with the simple act of mark-making, and while the details of each technique we explored are best left to the experience itself, the key takeaway was clear: no prior artistic experience was necessary, just a willingness to try something new. This writer immersed herself.

One particularly intriguing exercise was ‘Moon Writing’, a free-flowing, stream-of-consciousness approach to writing where the pen never lifts from the page. This method echoes historical moments of raw and unfiltered expression, much like the words of a 75-year-old Michelangelo, who once confessed to his nephew that receiving letters sent him into a fever, such was the struggle of reading them.

Moon writing seems to embody this fevered urgency, capturing thoughts in an unbroken dance of ink and mind.

There’s a poetic resonance in this technique, reminiscent of Zen teachings, where words act as mere signposts to deeper truths. Through continuous, unedited writing, we unearth raw emotion, reflect on past experiences, and discover new creative insights, all while immersed in nature.

The connection between art and nature is well documented, offering profound benefits for mental well-being.

Engaging in creative activities outdoors enhances cognitive function, reduces stress, and fosters a deeper bond with the environment.

Science supports what many artists and thinkers have long intuited: nature’s soft fascination restores attention, sparks expansive thinking, and opens new pathways for imagination.

As the Seasonal Art Walks continue through the year, they offer a unique opportunity to explore the interplay between landscape and creativity.

Whether through movement, mark-making, or moments of quiet observation, participants are invited to rediscover the joy of creative exploration, one step at a time.

We encourage you to consider.