Cultural Interaction ~observing place as a way of understanding culture~

My approach to teaching grew out of lived experience rather than formal theory. While raising my three children, I was drawn to the Montessori method, which values curiosity, careful observation, and learning at one’s own pace. That early influence stayed with me and later shaped the way I approached education in natural and cultural settings.

Over the years, I worked and volunteered in a range of environments — from nature education programs in California to collaborative projects with the Belize Audubon Society — experiences that reinforced how deeply place shapes the way people see, learn, and create. Following the events of 9/11, I sought work that felt grounded and restorative, which led me to wildlife rehabilitation and field observation, including fostering hummingbirds. These experiences quietly changed how I paid attention to the world.

Drawing and writing in the field became a way to slow down and notice what is often overlooked. Through workshops with educators and artists, and through long hours outdoors, I learned that careful observation is not only a way of documenting nature, but also a way of understanding relationship — between people, land, and culture.

Although my own studio work is largely abstract, I believe it is important for children to begin with practices that emphasize direct observation. Learning to draw, write, and record from life helps young people make sense of their surroundings and develop respect for both place and community. In my teaching, I share simple field-based techniques that encourage attentiveness, curiosity, and reflection — skills that extend well beyond drawing itself.

Sherburn LaBelle ©️