Bold claim, I know.

But maybe you agree.

I live in a townhouse in Raleigh, North Carolina. 🏠

My backyard is the size of a king size bed.

Yes, the sidewalks are convenient, and I like that I can get to downtown quickly, but sometimes I miss my childhood home.

The home down a long dirt path in the middle of nowhere, where deer and turkey sightings were just a part of life. The air always smelled clean, and the wind in the trees hushed any sounds of civilization. 🌳 🦃

Growing up, I remember whenever someone in the family came down with poison ivy, my mom would pick elderberry leaves and make a tea to put on the rash. An old family remedy. Usually, the poison ivy went away in half the time.

As a kid, it felt pretty special to know a cure like this. And if I'm honest, it's still pretty rare if any of my adult friends know about the elderberry remedy. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I know ONE use of ONE plant, and all of a sudden I sound like a wise woman you’d want with you in a survival situation…

But perhaps more importantly, my mom knew that healing the body wasn’t the only thing the woods around our house were good for. ✨🌿

Her favorite thing to do was walk and pray.

She might’ve left worried or angry, but she came back calm, confident, and whole.

There’s something about being in God’s creation that allows us to silence the mental chatter and get clarity. Heal. Find peace. 😌

Last August, my husband and I took our first vacation since we've been married (almost 3 years). As Brandon soaked in the hot tub, enjoying the comforting and mysterious Appalachian sunset, I was drawn to the details of our environment.

I strolled around our cabin, taking pictures of every interesting plant I could find. After a few quick Google searches, I was amazed to find out we were surrounded by plants with such a long connection to human history.

From treating skin rashes to easing pain after childbirth, so many of the plants right outside had been used in medicine by Native Americans for centuries!

More importantly, I was able to relax on that trip. I wasn’t worried about what time it was or how much I had accomplished that day.

I don't know about you, but that’s a big deal for me.

To share the peace and mental clarity I found in nature, I've chosen five plants to feature in these paintings. 🖼️

Most have medicinal uses, and one is toxic, but most of all - I hope they help you find a moment of peace and silence the mental chatter.

More than healing the body, I hope they give you space to start healing your mind and bring a touch of wild beauty to your home.