Nikki Molick: Minnesota Field Journal
May 29, 2026 - Lake Superior, Park Point Beach
Time of Day: Afternoon
Temperature: 90s
Weather Conditions: Sunny
Weather Change from Last Visit: Same
Wildlife Present: Seagulls and others birds
Plants Identified: Wild grasses, wildflowers
Artistic Inspiration: How did your hike inspire you artistically?
Lake Superior is a cool place because it's the largest freshwater body of water in the world so it feels and looks like an ocean without me having to leave Minnesota! The native grasses and wildflowers mixed with the driftwood laying on the beach in some areas with the water in the background is just so beautiful. I have tons and tons of photogs from my visit there and they all inspire new art from me.
I created two pastel drawings of the wildflowers and native grasses along the beach.
July 18, 2026 - Munsinger Clemens Gardens
Time of Day: Morning
Temperature: 70s
Weather Conditions: Sunny
Weather Change from Last Visit: First time visiting
Wildlife Present: Birds, Squirrels, Rabbits
Plants Identified: Tons of flowers - native and non. Pine, Maple
Artistic Inspiration: How did your hike inspire you artistically?
I am always inspired by nature - flowers, wildlife, all the butterflies. I was able to capture some really beautiful photos of the landscape, some beautiful butterflies on the flowers, bees, etc. I am inspired to drawing and paint as many of the photos as I can!
Photos, a watercolor painting of one of the photos I took.
August 22, 2026 - Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge
Time of Day: Morning
Temperature: 70s
Weather Conditions: Sunny
Weather Change from Last Visit: same type of weather as my first visit there
Wildlife Present: Birds, Trumpeter Swans
Plants Identified: Wildflowers, Maple and Oak Trees, Native Grasses, lily pads.
Artistic Inspiration: How did your hike inspire you artistically?
My art is inspired by landscapes and wildlife. This walk inspired me to draw a Trumpeter Swan and learn more interesting facts about them. I also learned some really interesting facts about lily pads that I never knew which has inspired me to practice drawings of them!
Photos, a watercolor painting of one of the lakes in the refuge and a colored pencil drawing of a trumpeter swan.
September 18, 2026 - Lake Superior, Leif Erikson Park
Time of Day: Morning
Temperature: 60s
Weather Conditions: Cloudy
Weather Change from Last Visit: A bit more chilly from the last visit. Very windy and the waves from Lake Superior were really large!
Wildlife Present: Birds - seagulls, small birds
Plants Identified: Wildflowers, pines, other native trees
Artistic Inspiration: How did your hike inspire you artistically?
I am inspired to try drawing/painting some art of the rocky shoreline and the beautiful trees/native grasses/wildflowers along the edge.
