Abstract Adventures shares the powerful transformation of creativity trailside with the Loss & Damage Collaboration in their newest blog! Check out how painting in nature can influence climate conversations and our environmental perspectives.

This article was originally published on the Loss & Damage Collaboration’s Wellbeing blog

5/20/2025

TRAILSIDE TRANSFORMATION: FINDING CREATIVITY IN NATURE TO INSPIRE CHANGEMAKERS

BY SARAH LEISTICO

Take a deep breath and close your eyes.

Imagine you’re nestled underneath towering pines, cedars, or maybe on the edge of a flowering meadow.

You can feel the breeze tickle across your face and take in the whoosh. You open your eyes and scan the beautiful horizon to eventually look down at a blank canvas in front of you.

How does that make you feel?

What inspires you?

This is the spark. The transformation that occurs when creativity meets the natural world. In these spaces, the mind quiets, the senses awaken, and we open ourselves to exploration and creating boldly.

…

Find a friend in nature and your creativity

The healing power of nature is well documented

It’s even been shown that intentional, immersive experiences in nature – specifically walking and grounding – provide an even stronger range of mental, physical, and social health benefits (Mygind et al. , 2019). From reduced stress and anxiety to improved cognitive function and emotional regulation, nature is an intangible medicine. Many cultures understand nature not just as a backdrop, but as a living partner in our wellbeing.

Whether we’re strolling through a neighborhood park or trekking to a remote ridge, our relationship with the natural world strengthens when we take the time to notice. We can learn from the intrinsic experiences offered and take those lessons with us every day.

When we pair this intrinsic connection with creativity, the impact becomes even stronger. Art and creativity also have their own bounty of evidence for better wellbeing: creative expression supports our mental health, increases self-efficacy, and offers a way to process emotions beyond words (Jean-Berluche, 2024). Enjoying the freedom of painting under the pines can combine and multiply these benefits to spark insight and reflection that we might not be able to discover otherwise.

Check out the full Loss & Damage Collaboration’s blog