Observing people living with dementia engage in nature-based art activities during my PhD research has provided a rare opportunity for me to experience personally the dynamism, joy and resilience of nature connection as it conveyed through art among older adults including people living with dementia I share my reflections of this experience as a participant observer during the 18 weeks spent across three case programs, using paintings inspired from the art activities. The paintings are referenced from images taken across each site, which I then integrate with found objects that represent the art activities specific to each study site. Two key early learnings from my reflections, as I continue to analyse the observational and reflective data, are (i) nature acts as a living canvas on which artistic activity thrives, with its diversity and functional beauty providing both inspiration and raw material for embodied and creative expression; and (ii) art functions as a relatable tool that conveys nature connection, serving as a timeless language transcending age, brain health status, race and culture.