For the first time, I’m experiencing daily spring moments in a place that feels truly wild—our new home, nestled on a wooded acre. It’s a dream come true.

Before this, I lived in houses with tiny backyards. I used to make time to visit the wooded parks around town, hiking and photographing every beetle, lizard, and wild bloom I could find. But as life got busier, I stopped going. One day, I realized I hadn’t seen spring in my favorite parks for years. That realization hit hard. 

So, when it came time to move with my little family, I refused to compromise. I wanted to live among the trees, not just visit them.

A Backyard Full of Life

The other day, I counted—nearly 100 trees stand on our little acre. And with them comes an entire world of wildlife. Birds I’ve never seen before (despite living in this area my whole life!) now perch just outside my window. Black swallowtail butterflies are already fluttering through, even before my native flowers have bloomed. And the hawks? They’re not just flying overhead—they’re nesting right here. My husband recently stepped outside to the wildest sounds, only to witness two hawks… let’s just say, ensuring the next generation. A full-on Discovery Channel moment.

It’s incredible to watch these creatures thrive in a space that feels untouched. And it’s heartbreaking to think of how much of their natural habitat has been paved over for uniform, non-native grass lawns. If I had the power, I’d change it all. But what I can do is start right here.

My Studio with a View

Every NatureTats order is packed and shipped from my home studio—a space with a view. A big sliding glass door looks out to the trees, where squirrels tap on my window and little birds bathe just beyond my desk. And every day, I dream up new ways to grow with the land, not against it. What can I plant to feed the deer, the birds, the pollinators? How can I build a space where we all belong?

Bringing Nature into My Art

This connection to the land has been shaping my recent work in ways I never expected.

🌿 The Texas Wildflowers design was inspired by the little bluebonnet leaves already sprouting in my yard.
🐍 The Rattlesnake tat is my way of grounding myself—not just in dreamy wildflowers but in the reality of the land we share.
🦌 Hill Country Wildlife features a fawn in a meadow (which I know I’ll see soon, judging by the deer tracks), an armadillo (confirmed by the neighbors!), and a Golden-cheeked Warbler, an endangered bird that nests in the Ashe Junipers—just like the ones standing tall on my acre.

I can’t wait to see what other discoveries will shape my future designs. For now, I’ll keep exploring, sketching, and finding ways to bring these wild places to life—both on paper and in the real world.