The Art of Paddling Slow

You do not need to be an artist or naturalist to begin. Nature journaling teaches you to focus your attention, makes you curious about the world around you, and enhances your observation skills in a joyful way that enriches your experience.

Acclaimed writers and illustrators Miriam Körner and Larissa Muirhead will guide you on your nature journaling adventure with workshops, nature-themed discussions and journaling prompts.

The journey begins at the Paddlers Lodge in Missinipe, Saskatchewan. From there, a relaxed paddle will bring us to one of the many forested islands of Otter Lake, where we spend our days with paddling, observing, drawing, and writing — all within a supportive community of like-minded artists.

Whether you're just beginning your creative journey or already have a practice, whether you sketch, paint, write poems or stories—this trip offers space to explore your creativity at your own pace, using your nature journal as a companion to explore the northern waters and boreal landscape.

Let the rhythm of the water and the whisper of the trees guide your pen, your brush, and your heart.

Larissa Muirhead is an artist, writer, and environmental activist based in northern Saskatchewan. Her creative practice is rooted in the boreal landscape, where she explores themes of land, connection, and teaching through painting, storytelling, and community engagement. Larissa’s work often bridges disciplines—combining visual art with written word and environmental advocacy—to foster deeper connections between people and place. She is passionate about collaborative projects that uplift voices, protect ecosystems, and celebrate the cultural richness of the North. Whether organizing land-based retreats, curating community art initiatives, or crafting essays and poems, Larissa brings a thoughtful, grounded presence to everything she does.

Miriam Körner is an award-winning author, children’s book illustrator, and arts educator who finds her inspiration on extended wilderness journeys by dog team and canoe. Her love and concern for the rivers and lakes, forests and muskegs, and all that live within guide her artistic practice and her work as an environmental advocate. Miriam is a co-founder of For Peat’s Sake – Protecting Northern Saskatchewan.