Drawing from the Earth: Natural Inspirations 

Nature inspires artists in countless ways. For me, it serves as both a muse and a source of creativity. I’d like to share some of my own artwork to explore this idea further.

Here’s a piece I designed in Photoshop to thank the Volkswagen Group of America for funding the 2024 Kennedy Center scholarship I received as an emerging young artist. I’ve always been fascinated by the vast array of colors in nature—vibrant flowers, colorful insects, clouds patterns in the sky, or the textures on leaves and stones. I used the wings, legs and antennas of insects as natural elements to contrast the metallic shiny car surfaces of the Volkswagen bugs that are part of my Bug Collection print. 

Here is a piece I call Late Bloomer which features many organic forms. The shapes and structures found in nature, such as the curvature of a tree, the geometric patterns of leaves and mushrooms, or the flowing forms of a flower blooming can influence an artist’s approach to composition and design. These natural forms can offer organic, fluid motifs that artists can adapt into their work.

This piece titled Through the Spectrum relies on light and shadow to tell a story. The way light shifts throughout the day, like how the moon reflects on clouds can be a powerful influence on an artist’s exploration of illumination, contrast, and depth. Notice how I use the play of light and shadow in nature to create a mysterious mood and bring dimension to this drawing.

Starlit Tide is a holiday centered illustration I created last winter that expresses emotions and connections to others. Nature can evoke a sense of awe, tranquility and wonder. Artists may channel their feelings into their artwork as I did with this piece. The picture shows a festive, starlit tree made of ice replacing the whale’s spout to convey the magic and wonder of the Christmas season. In contrast, the tranquil sea with the Northern Lights dancing in the sky brings a feeling of calmness and serenity. Nature’s power can stir emotions leading to deeply expressive art. 

I like to infuse my work blending symbolism with metaphor. Nature is rich with symbolism. A majestic deer running through the snow might represent freedom and I’ve added a surreal connection by placing the familiar in an unfamiliar setting. The calm atmosphere of a white winter landscape is contrasted with a colorful coral reef replacing the deer’s antlers serving as a home for the fish, which shows the viewer how nature is all connected. Artists often incorporate symbols into their work to explore deeper meanings and communicate messages to their audience. 

Observing natural movements such as the gentle sway of a dandelion blowing in the wind or the sudden leap of a grasshopper can inspire artists to convey movement and flow in their artwork. In this first spread of my children’s book Planet Revolution, I wanted to launch the viewer into my story using motion.

Environmental issues matter to me, so I set to work making an illustration on climate awareness. This piece I call Greta Guardian of the Green. For some artists, nature serves as a source of inspiration to raise awareness about environmental issues. The beauty of landscapes, wildlife and our spinning planet can help start conversations about conservation and the urgent need to protect the Earth.

Nature’s endless diversity offers an expansive range of ideas, from the minute details on a single leaf to the vast expanse of an entire ecosystem, creating boundless inspiration for any artist.