Planty Things
Art by Mikayla
Being around nature is calming. There’s something about being surrounded by greenery and plants that just feels right. In fact, having more green spaces in a community is associated with reducing depression. While many of us don’t live near a park or nature, any space can fit a plant or two!
Having a small plant to care for can change the way a space feels, but can also be a reminder of the basics of self care. A plant needs water, sunlight, and some love, just like us. Even if you’re not home very often, a hearty cactus can survive those droughts. Everything takes a different amount of care, but if you pay attention you’ll learn more about what type of care it needs to grow and thrive. Consider adding a plant to your space as a reminder to root your actions in care so you can grow. If you’re in Tucson, check out Desert Survivor or Spadefoot Nursery for some native plants and guidance from experts.
We found inspiration in this artwork, reminding us that we can build our own spaces with planty things!
Learn more about Mikayla and what inspires her in this note from the artist:
I started drawing when I got my iPad in 2020 during my last year of college. I was inspired to draw plant shelves because living in a small apartment, there wasn't much space to decorate, and drawing was my place to create that dream space. My Plant Shelves series was one of the first things I drew. I had just gotten a pothos plant from my mom's friend, and it was my first plant that I owned. I wasn't a plant person before my business, but something about the greens and nature and growth just stuck to me and became my theme for my whole small business.
I wanted to create these dreamy plant shelves that I wish I had in real life (and am still manifesting to have one day when I get a house). Planty Things is my second triangle-shaped plant shelf that I drew, and I wanted to make it my own by adding some home decor that I thought would fit as planty things. A globe, some empty glass bottles, a homey cube candle, and a stack of books are all planty things to me that made home feel like home, along with these beautiful bushy healthy potted plants trailing off the shelves, growing into our environment with each new leaf. I made this design into an art print and sticker so you could take that feeling of home and growth with you.