Outdoor skills, group hikes and art classes to fuel your creativity and equip you for your next adventure!
NEW SUMMER CLASSES ARE HERE!
June 10, 2023 | Art Hike – Silverwood Park! [in person]
Capture a Visual Journal of Your Adventures
This class is limited to 20 participants and is great for all levels and anyone wanting to learn about painting outside.
Grab a friend and come paint with us at Silverwood Park! Learn how to capture memories, compose quick studies and integrate a creative practice into all of your outdoor adventures!
In this 3 hour workshop, students will learn beginner friendly watercolor skills and tips for creating quick, small art pieces during breaks AND a trail journal that you and your loved ones can enjoy for years to come. After a brief overview and instruction period, we will practice exploring different subject matter by hiking to different locations in the park. This is a lovely hike that will lead to lots of artistic inspiration!
Nestled along the shores of Silver Lake, Silverwood Park is a unique natural destination devoted to supporting the practice, appreciation and awareness of creative interactions between people and the natural environment. Discover the work of regional artists and poets along park trails and indoor gallery spaces.
This is a lovely 2+ mile hike that features an interactive sculpture and poetry tour that will lead to lots of artistic inspiration.
June 15, 2023 | Watercolor Adventure Journaling [virtual]
Capture Memories and Compose Quick Studies
This 2 hour virtual class is great for all levels and anyone wanting to learn about painting outside.
Learn how to capture memories, compose quick studies and integrate a creative practice into all of your outdoor adventures! In this 2-hour virtual workshop, students will learn beginner friendly watercolor skills and tips for creating quick, small art pieces during breaks and a trail journal that you and your loved ones can enjoy for years to come. After a brief overview and instruction period, we will practice exploring different composition techniques by painting along step by step with Jen’s references. This month, we will be painting scenes from the Grand Canyon!
June 17, 2023 | Backpacking 101 [ in person]
Backpacking 101 with Women Who Hike + Boundary Waters Advisory Committee
Join experienced backpackers from Women Who Hike – Minnesota for a crash course in backpacking! Jen Theisen, Ruth Wikoff-Jones, and Mel Yackley will be presenting on all things gear to give participants an overview on backpacking basics.
This event is sponsored and hosted by Women Who Hike Minnesota. All proceeds after costs will go to Boundary Waters Advisory Committee (“BWAC”). BWAC is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2002 to preserve and maintain existing trails within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of the Superior National Forest.
July 28-30th, 2023 | Sanborn Canoe Basecamp Festival [in person]
Come camp, explore, create, play, and relax with us at Prairie Island Campground in Winona, MN
Join us at this fun, community-building event, where I’ll be teaching two classes along with a full list of other events.
- The 4 P’s: Pee, Poop, Periods + Personal Hygiene – what to know before you go – included with festival registration
- Watercolor Adventure Journaling-July 29: How to capture memories, compose quick studies and integrate a creative practice into all of your outdoor adventures!
- What you will learn:
- When and where to paint: paddling, biking, hiking, planes, trains and automobiles, anywhere!
- How to simplify your art kit and lighten your load
- Review of pre-made and DIY watercolor palettes, favorite materials
- What to paint and composition ideas
- Painting from photos and live references
- Ways to develop a daily art practice before you hit the trail to build confidence, skill and FUN!
$35 (includes instruction & supplies) Additional workshop details in registration link
BaseCamp is an annual celebration of the outdoors, tight-knit communities, and good old-fashioned pride in craftsmanship and quality brought to you by Sanborn Canoe Co. We are putting together an outdoor recreation festival right on the banks of the Mississippi River. Our goal is to create a summer camp atmosphere with opportunities to explore the incredible Driftless Region around Winona, MN.
BaseCamp is a festival designed to not just entertain but to engage people, body and mind. There are activities planned to keep an entire family busy every moment of the weekend. These range from guided prairie hiking, to backwater paddling, to live music to round out each evening. In addition to opportunities to get on the trail or the water, we’ll have classrooms set up to learn from experts, hear great stories, and try your own hands at outdoors inspired artwork. Beyond the planned activities, there are endless opportunities to join us for the community but still create your own adventure.
As lovers of the outdoors, we believe access is a right not a privilege. With this in mind, BaseCamp will be donating funds to improve access to paddling opportunities on the Mississippi River. In partnership with the Recreation Alliance of Winona, our goal is to raise funds towards installing an ADA dock at Prairie Island, the location of this years event. We’re excited to have you join us in this goal.
August 5, 2023 | Willow River Art Hike, Hudson WI [in person]
Watercolor adventure journaling in the park! Come join the fun and learn to paint with Minnesota artist and Thrive Leader, Jen Theisen. You’ll explore and casually hike woodland trails within Willow River State Park.
CLASS DETAILS
Learn how to capture memories, compose quick studies and integrate a creative practice into all of your outdoor adventures!
In this 3 hour workshop, students will learn beginner friendly watercolor skills and tips for creating quick, small art pieces during breaks and a trail journal that you and your loved ones can enjoy for years to come.
After a brief overview and instruction period, we will practice exploring different subject matter by hiking to different locations inside Willow River State Park. Restrooms and water are nearby.
ART SUPPLIES INCLUDED
Each registered participant will be provided with a basic watercolor kit and paper that is theirs to keep. Participants are free to use their own supplies if they already have a watercolor practice.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
+ Step by step instruction on how to paint our subject matter (no need to be an artist!)
+ The benefits of having a creative practice in the outdoors
+ How to slow down, observe and record the natural world
+ When and where to paint: paddling, biking, hiking, planes, trains and automobiles, anywhere!
+ How to simplify your art kit and lighten your load
+ Review of pre-made and DIY watercolor palettes, favorite materials
+ What to paint and composition ideas
+ Painting from photos and live references
+ Ways to develop a daily art practice before you hit the trail to build confidence, skill and FUN!
WHAT TO BRING
+ day hiking gear: daypack, water, snack, layers, bug spray and sun protection
+ (optional) blanket or small stool to sit on
+ all art materials are supplied
REGISTRATION
Coming Soon! Registration secures your spot. Follow the Thrive FB page for registration info
Space is limited to 12.
Ages 14+ (minor must be accompanied by an adult)
COST
$35 (includes instruction & supplies)
Park pass is required and not included.
Thrive leader, Jen Theisen is a Minnesota based artist and outdoorswoman celebrating the intersection of art, nature and joy! Her classes blend her enthusiasm for the outdoors with her career as an artist to inspire, educate and empower others to rediscover their playful nature and creativity on and off the trail! You can learn more about the artist and her adventures at wanderingpine.com, @wandering.pine and @wandering.pine.art.
Join us on a Group Hike!
Join Minnesota Women Who Hike Ambassador Jen on a group hike! Our community hikes are a great opportunity to connect with others on the trail in a supportive environment. Details on the private Women Who Hike Minnesota Facebook events page – 24k Minnesota Women strong!
Adding more new classes and art hikes in the summer of 2023!
Subscribe to the Wandering Pine newsletter to get the scoop!
Previous Events
April 27, 2023 | Backpacking Essentials
Want to try backpacking, but aren’t sure where to start? Learn from Jen aka Wandering Pine, who was once a beginner backpacker too! This two hour course covers the basics including planning and preparing for a backpacking trip, where to go, what to pack, how to cook, bathrooming, trail etiquette (and much more!)! There will also be a fun gear and backpacking style (Ultralight to Traditional) demo, a resource list and plenty of time for questions.
April 20, 2023 | Backcountry Hygiene: What to Know Before You Go
Before your next outdoor adventure, we want you to be prepared when nature calls! This course focuses on getting outside in an environmentally sustainable way, following Leave No Trace principles, while managing the Four Ps: Pee, Poop, Periods, and Personal Hygiene.
April 15, 2023 | University of Scouting!
Calling all Northern Star Scouting volunteers and leaders. I’ll be teaching The 4P’s and Backpacking Essentials in person again this year at St Paul College! Choose from over 80 courses in the Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, Venturing, General, and Youth Leadership Colleges. We have 23 brand new courses! This event is a great way to learn the skills you need to bring quality programming to youth in the scouting program, make new connections and have some fun!
January 12, 2023 | Border Route Trail Annual Meeting | Virtual
Our guest speaker is Jen Theisen, aka Wandering Pine. Jen Theisen is a Minnesota based artist and adventurer celebrating the intersection of art, nature and joy! Her aim is to inspire, educate and empower others on and off the trail through creating supportive experiences and sharing her contagious enthusiasm. She blends her passion for fostering community, advocacy and experience as an outdoor educator by serving as a volunteer leader in three outdoor organizations and by hosting in-person + online events and workshops.
November 14, 2022 | Contour Drawing + Watercolor | Virtual
Join Jen and the Kula Academy for a blind or pure contour drawing and painting class that focuses on resting the mind and building observation skills. This class is perfect for students of all levels. Great for beginners & artists who may be feeling stuck.
October 17, 2022 | Learn to Paint Autumn Leaves and Capture the Colors of Fall | Kula Academy Virtual Class
Grab your favorite tea or pumpkin spice treat and join us for a fun night of learning how to paint your favorite Fall leaves using beginner friendly techniques. Jen will show you how to capture the leaf shape, the supplies that she uses, techniques for creating beautiful color mixes and how to create a painting that you can enjoy all year.
October 6-9, 2022 Fall Women’s Cabin Retreat – Wisconsin!
Join Thrive Women’s Outdoor Adventures Leader Jen on a relaxing getaway in northern Wisconsin at a cozy cabin on a private lake and 14 acres. Hello, fall colors! Each day will have optional, join-on adventures and delicious home cooked meals. Activities may include campfires, watercolor instruction, hikes or bike rides, with plenty of time to rest and recharge. Details on the private Thrive Facebook events page.
October 1, 2022 Kulas on the Trail! Fall Art Hike in Minneapolis
Get Your Kulas on the Trail! If you love the outdoors and painting too, join us for a hike & paint in Minneapolis’ largest park. Capacity 20 – FREE
May 7, 2022 | Art Hike – Capture a Visual Journal of Your Adventures at Silverwood Park | Kula Academy (in person)
Grab your portable art supplies for an opportunity to create and connect with others on the trail in a supportive environment. Need a supply list? Check out this post
April 26, 2022 | The Four Ps: Pee, Poop, Periods, and Personal Hygiene with Leave No Trace, Kula Cloth and Women Who Hike (virtual)
Join Leave No Trace and Women Who Hike for an interactive workshop and discussion about getting outside in an environmentally sustainable way while managing the Four Ps: Pee, Poop, Periods, and Personal Hygiene. Topics will include considerations for human waste disposal, how and why to dig a cathole or use a personal portable toilet (WAG bag), what to do when you’re on your period, how and where to pee outside, and tips for bathing and personal hygiene when there’s no bathroom. Learn from Leave No Trace and Women Who Hike experts who spend much of the year working and living outside.
April 18, 2022 | Adventure Journaling and How to Create the Perfect Paint Kit | Kula Academy (virtual)
This class will show you what to bring to get started painting on all your outdoor adventures! It can be as simple as one tube of paint and one brush, or an elaborate set up – its up to you! Jen will show you the supplies that she uses, techniques for creating quick, small art pieces during breaks and a trail journal that you and your loved ones can enjoy for years to come.
April 9, 2022 | Beginner Backpacking Clinic | Thrive Women’s Outdoor Adventures (in person)
Does taking a backpacking trip sound intimidating? Where do you even start? What trail do you choose? Step into the wonderful world of backpacking. Learn from seasoned backpackers who were beginners once too.
February 28, 2022 | The Great Kula Mail Art Experiment: Creating a Daily Art Practice Through Mail Art
Before the social network, there was the postal network! In this class, Jen will give a brief Modern Art History lesson about the correspondence art or mail art movement and discuss the benefits of creating and releasing your art to use it to connect with other humans in a slow and thoughtful way.
December 9, 2021 | Cultivating Your Art Practice with Blind Contour Drawing and Watercolor | Kula Academy
Join Jen Theisen for a blind or pure contour drawing and painting class that focuses on resting the mind and building observation skills. No prior art experience required.