I have loved doing simple arty stuff outdoors for years because when I was 21 I spent £35 on a single book. It felt like the most indulgent thing to do... but I knew it would be supporting an artist I had just heard about, Andy Goldsworthy. I found his book in Waterstones in Bath by chance and still have it to this day.

So my arty inspiration today for you guys is to make a Buddha crown out of found natural objects, outdoors (You could also do this indoors I reckon, with, for example lego pieces, but I haven't tried it yet).



It can be fun to take turns making a crown for each other.

One person lies down on the ground facing the sky.

Lie on a roll or yoga mat, or an unfolded cardboard box to insulate from the ground if you need to.

Eyes open or closed depending on how careful the artists are moving around, placing objects.

The person being the buddha focusses their awareness on their breath as it comes in and out of their nostrils slowly and tries to keep doing this until the art is finished.

The artists set to work collecting items and placing them carefully around the head.

When all is done, voila!

I hope you have fun out there and discover things, about yourself, each other and nature while you are making the crowns - and another way yo connect is to share what you find... not just the mini beasts you find, but also, perhaps, the feelings you had while being a Buddha or an artist.

I once made a sort of buddha crown with my didgeridoos and leaves, for a publicity photo... the children at the forest school session helped me out... but to be honest... I laid out the heavy didgeridoos myself.

If you do make some crowns and are happy to share a picture, I would love to see them.