MEET THE ARTISTS
“There is something about taking the natural beauty of the earth and turning it into a piece of artwork that is very charming to me.”
Sarah Lorraine Edwards enjoys collaborating with nature for the deep joy and happiness it brings to her life. She holds an art degree from Gonzaga University and has worked in many different art and craft mediums, including drawing, painting, printmaking, sewing, and jewelry making; however, nature art is her favorite. Through this art form, Sarah develops a deeper connection and appreciation for the natural world. She hopes to inspire others to pay closer attention to the life springing forth all around. Visit sarahsmilescreations.com.
“Why buy when you can DIY?”
Mikko Sumulong is a crafter, writer, web geek, human resources professional, and a handwritten-font designer. For the last few years, she has been designing fonts, building websites, holding craft events, writing craft books, facilitating workshops, teaching ESL, and doing HR consultant work. She learned the art of pressed botanicals from her mother and has endeavored to share the art form with as many people as possible. Visit itrydiy.me and mixfonts.com.
“I gathered a few white seashells during a morning walk. They looked like tiny canvases, and I just had to paint them. I soon began to see tiny canvases everywhere!”
Katie Brooks divides her time between creating and sharing her art and working as a freelance illustrator and designer. She enjoys exploring a range of mediums, including watercolor, acrylic, sculpture, and mixed media, although nature remains her most prevalent inspiration. She paints seashells, pebbles, leaves, acorns, feathers, and everything in between, and incorporates found natural elements into many of her artworks. Visit katiebrooksart.com.
“Gouache lends beautiful contrast to artwork and it is also perfect for adding patterns and details on watercolor.”
Artist, author, and illustrator Gabri Joy Kirkendall specializes in hand lettering, watercolor, and pen and ink. Gabri is the artist and owner of Gabri Joy Studios, a successful online business based in the Pacific Northwest that specializes in fine-art prints, invitations, branding, stationery, and more. Visit etsy.com/people/gabrijoy.
“Creating art that focuses on nature and working with natural materials brings me a lot of joy, especially when I can collect those materials myself.”
Allison Hetzell has been running her online shop By the Rock and Weed since 2012, where she sells a small variety of handmade, predominantly nature-themed artwork, often made from natural materials like wood slices and river rocks. Allison loves using a variety of creative materials and methods; however, painting and wood-burning are her two favorites. She always has an eye open for recently fallen tree branches, since she never cuts down living trees for material. Allison loves inspiring people to get out into nature and encapsulate the feelings they have when exploring the wild. Visit www.bytherockandweed.com.
“There are fresh and innovative ways you can add artwork to your décor while staying within a budget.”
Alix Adams is the cofounder of LitJoy Crate, a subscription service that offers folks a simple, creative, and easy way to read more—and read more often. LitJoy offers products that create lifelong readers and foster a love of literature. Previously, Alix ran a lifestyle and design blog about crafting a handmade and heartfelt life. Visit litjoycrate.com.
Other Contributors
Chelsea Foy is the blogger behind Lovely Indeed, a creative lifestyle blog with a focus on DIY, travel, family, style, and all the other little things that make life lovely. Visit lovelyindeed.com.
Monica Moody is an artist from Dallas, Texas. Known for her vibrant alcohol ink paintings, Monica also enjoys mixed media, illustration, relief printmaking, pyrography, and watercolor painting. Visit www.monicamoody.com to learn more.
Artist Margaret Vance paints beautifully vibrant and colorful rock art full of intricate detail and pattern. As in nature, no two stones are painted alike. Each stone’s size, shape, color, texture, and individuality influence the design to create a singular mix of art and nature. Visit www.etherealandearth.com.
Artist and illustrator Marissa Redondo works primarily in watercolor and oil. Most of her art is inspired by nature, and art has always been her greatest love. Marisa is fascinated by nature’s creations and the little pieces that often go unnoticed, from the fine lines of feathers to the spores of a dandelion. Visit riverlunaart.com.
Alyssa Stokes is a Baltimore artist and art educator. She is greatly influenced by nature, and her work includes nautical and woodland altered photographs, as well as various still life petal plays.