My Sketchbook Fell into the Red Sea
Sharpen your Pencil, My Friend.
I’ve been mixing colors and sharpening pencils since I was a child, and that love slowly grew into Nature Journaling as I got older. I’ve always carried a sketchbook with me. My artwork comes from a basic fascination with nature—capturing creatures that feel both ethereal and graceful in motions. When I draw, I find myself at peace; it’s a meditation, a calm & quiet space.
What is Nature Journaling?
For me, nature journaling is more than just picking leaves and drawing them—it’s a way of connecting with the surroundings and a way of self expression. It’s a mindful practice that helps you notice the small details you might otherwise pass by: the Komorebi, when the sunlight filters through the tree leaves, the diverse and unique visuals in every culture, the beautiful color combination that appears in fungus or the patterns on the Sunfish-Mola Mola’s skin. Through studying and observing, I found myself not only appreciating the little phenomena, but also learning how to build my own art style, which embodies a higher purpose and the intentions.
This practice eventually led me into the field of scientific illustration, where art meets science. It fascinated me how an artwork could serve as both beauty and knowledge—a language that communicates the complexity of life.
I found inspiration in the works of Ernst Haeckel, the German zoologist and artist whose book Art Forms in Nature is filled with breathtaking drawings of marine life. His ability to capture detail and wonder showed me how art can deepen our understanding of nature.
Falling Deeply in Blue
(Coco beach, Jeddah)
My first discovery dive was a turning point—coco beach’s reef was the hook! In August 2024, just after turning 30, I decided to give scuba diving a try. The very next day, I signed up for my Open Water course. Since then, the Red Sea has become my second home. Its beauty has captivated me and never stopped pulling me back to the blue. One of my absolute peaceful memories was last winter in 2024, working remotely by the sea, surrounded by the sound of waves, the taste of salty breeze and the sight of my diver friends descending beneath the surface, I truly felt the blessing of living by the sea in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia “the Red Sea mermaid”.
Pencils, Paper, and the Wild
It’s a new experience to sketch underneath the water and during those calm surface intervals. Here are some salty outcomes inspired by the ocean.
Diving hasn’t only changed the way I see the ocean—it transformed my art. I unlocked new creative hobbies in my art journey, sculpting small wooden marine creatures, painting on diving fins and experimenting with reef-safe acrylic and water-based paints.
A Wise Clownfish
Have you noticed how your mood shifts when you’re surrounded by nature, and how we always crave it? Do you remember the last time you told someone, “I just want to go to the sea… or to the mountains… or even just for a walk in the garden.” That's because nature is an essential source of energy—a way to recharge both body and mind.
Next time you go to the beach, wiggle your toes in the sand and feel the grains slip between them. Listen to the sound of your breath as it turns into bubbles underwater. Look closely for a nudibranch and admire its neon colors. Raise a hand and try to catch the sun rays just beneath the surface. Say hello to a turtle and ask what it had for breakfast. And if you happen to find a plastic bottle floating—clearly tossed by a very considerate Clownfish that must have been thirsty 🤦🏻♀️—do it a favor and take it with you. The ocean is one of the most beautiful and greatest signs -ayah- of Allah, and we are here to reflect on it, benefit from it, and protect it.
Dear Nature Lover,
I encourage you to try scuba diving at least once in your life. Take your hobby to the sea—whether it’s writing, reading, painting, running, photography, or simply sitting and watching the sun. The ocean has a way of amplifying everything we love.
Follow along with my journey
@Lujainsiyamak | www.lujisiya.com
