Media
Here is where you can find the latest happenings with the perpetual journal.
We first came upon Lara’s work through our Bk friend, and were immediately drawn to her unique approach to documenting through her perpetual journals, deep love of nature, and enduring curiosity about the world. Lara’s work beautifully merges the practice of science, art, and quiet wonder. We are so grateful to share a conversation with her about the origins of her path, and how slowing down with nature continues to shape both her work and her way of life. - Eunice
Baum Kuchen1.22.26
Every year we present insights from life and work outdoors in Field Notes. In creating the magazine, students learn the essentials of writing and publishing communications for a wide audience: alumni, project sponsors, prospective students, and anyone who wants to learn more about the natural world we share.
University of Vermontnovember 2025
Journaling with Nature Podcastfebruary 2023Listen to hear more about: Lara’s botanical illustration work through the Flora of Virginia Project. The concept of the perpetual nature journal and how it began. Ways for beginners to overcome fear of the blank page. Lara’s attraction to the ‘story’ behind a plant and the change and decay that happens as plants age. Lara’s favourite colours and how she uses colour in her perpetual journal. How to listen to nature and be in dialogue with the natural world while you are journaling. How keeping a perpetual nature journal can become a life-long project connecting you with your nearby nature.
UVA Clubsjune 2021Lara has maintained a perpetual journal since 2001, documenting Virginia plants in pen and watercolor. She led us through her process and give us a window into her life as an illustrator of the natural world. The event included a moderated Q&A during the live demonstration.
Kristin Link / Natural History Art & Science Illustration11.3.17Lara Gastinger is a botanical artist and illustrator in Virginia who keeps the most inspiring sketchbook. I found her work on instagram (@laragastinger), where each week she usually posts from her “perpetual journal”, a weekly journal and sketchbook (now two books) that she’s been keeping for over a decade, since 2000. Her artwork is gorgeous in its own right, but the collection she’s put together and shares in her perpetual journal is really inspiring.
Gastinger’s art focuses on the minute details of nature and the processes of change and decay in the natural world. Gastinger teaches spring and fall classes in botanical illustration classes at Lewis Ginter each year. We sat down with Gastinger to discuss her upcoming Botany and Journaling class and her artwork.
Maureen McNabb, Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardensfebruary 15, 2018
Paying Attention: Why Journaling Changes the Way We See
Lisa Watts, Garden Club of the Halifax Country
“Another approach to journaling as an act of attention is the perpetual journal. Rather than filling a notebook from front to back, the perpetual journal is organized by calendar dates. Each spread represents a specific week of the year, and the journal is revisited annually, with new observations added beside old ones.”
Garden Club of America BulletinSpring 2026