Embracing nature: my artistic journey through gardens

Heading into a new year, I felt a strong need to create again. I realized I needed more time to think, slow down, and reconnect with nature in any way possible. Traveling between Maltese and English landscapes, my access to green spaces and living plants varies greatly.

The rhythm of nature

This fluctuation made me reflect. Nature has its own rhythm and cycles as well. During a cold, overcast week in England in January, I noticed that not a single leaf or flower was visible. The ground was, instead, filled with remnants of autumn, deeply trampled into the frosty mud. Those grey skies served as a reminder to appreciate the sunny days and warmth that eventually return. With that warmth comes the timeless English love of gardening.

As winter lingers, many people tend to retreat indoors. The barren landscapes may dishearten some, but this stillness is actually a time for reflection and anticipation.

The challenge of gardening

I have never considered myself to have a green thumb. In fact, I'd say I’m far from it. Yet, during this waiting period for the first shoots of spring, I embarked on what felt like an unlikely pilgrimage. Sowing seeds in pots, I infused a little optimism into the concrete walls that surrounded me. Every small sprout I nurtured seemed like a small act of faith.

Expectations of blooming flowers kept me hopeful. I often found myself searching for signs of life outside. Nature can be inspiring, even in the coldest months.

How gardening inspired me to paint

While I waited for the first shoots to appear outside, I immersed myself in another kind of flourishing—my art. Instead of nurturing plants, I shifted my focus to crafting shoots and leaves made of paper and fabric. I decided to explore the spontaneity and freedom of the collage painting process. My hands were busy creating a vibrant tapestry of colours and textures.

The garden might have been asleep, but my creative spirit was alive. I was able to break free from seasonal limitations and express my vision through my artwork.

The heart of the series: Wild Gardens

These moments of careful tending, combined with spontaneous decisions, became the heart of my series: Wild Gardens. Each piece represents a blend of my internal journey with the external world. The challenges of gardening mirrored my experiences in art. They both require patience and a deep connection to the earth.

Gardening and artistic creation are two sides of the same coin. Both require nurturing and an understanding of cycles, change, and growth. Every brush stroke echoes the anticipation of those little green shoots pushing through the cold earth.

Artistic growth from nature

Through gardening, I am learning valuable lessons about resilience. Just as plants need time to grow, so do our creative endeavors. Engagement with nature can inspire us to move forward, to strive for new horizons. Each artwork represents both a moment in time and a fresh start—a reminder that life continues to evolve.

As I explore the Wild Gardens series, I find that the energy of spring is not only visible in nature but also in my creations. This intersection of life cycles enriches my artistic journey and fills me with joy.

View the Wild Gardens collage paintings

Slide through the images below to view the collection, or click the shop links to discover the available paintings.

Jenny's Garden

Red Willow

Cotton Blues

Poppy Fields I

Trentham Tulips

Poppy Fields II

The Painted Garden

Beginnings

The Butterfly Garden

In the end, both gardening and painting serve as acts of creation. They remind me that each moment holds the potential for new beginnings. Let's continue to embrace nature and all that it inspires in us. Chloe