I’m Melissa—ecologist, artist, gardener, seed saver, nonprofit founder, dog mom, and cancer survivor. This space began as a way to share my cancer story and connect with others in 2013.

I’ve always been deeply curious about the natural world and drawn to plants, animals, and wild places. During my healing process, that connection became even more profound.

I love growing plants, saving seeds, making compost, watching birds, wandering wild places and roadsides (preferably with a dog), and pausing in awe of the wild wonders all around. This way of seeing the world flows directly into my art.

I create paintings, drawings, and lino cuts. I forage and grow many of the colors I use, transforming leaves, petals, berries, and soil into living pigments for my watercolor work.

To all those who also find joy and purpose in making our world a little brighter, more beautiful, and more kind — welcome!

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“I don’t know exactly what a prayer is. I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass, how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields, which is what I have been doing all day. Tell me, what else should I have done? Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon? Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

~Mary Oliver, excerpt “The Summer Day”

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