Let’s celebrate earth day!
As spring settles in with longer days, fresh colours, and life returning to the landscape, it becomes easier to connect to the world around us. Or at least I definitely find it easier!
The 22nd is Earth Day, and this is a perfect moment for reflection. Not just on the challenges our planet faces, but in which ways we can respond, collaborative and take actions (big or small).
So what is Earth Day?
Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally to highlight the growing support for climate action and the methods to enact a fairer, more sustainable world for all.
Where creativity meets care
Creativity has always been a way of responding to, acknowledging, and appreciating the world around us. It helps us process, communicate, and connect in ways that feel accessible and free. When it comes to climate and environmental issues, creativity offers something different, inviting people in gently, away from the overwhelming, extreme sense of intense activism, politics and constant urgency, because sometimes that isn’t what is always needed.
Art doesn’t have to be loud and impactful, sometimes it’s the quieter pieces, those that celebrate nature, highlight small details, or encourage appreciation, that stay with us the longest and can make the most impact overtime. Through making, we notice, and by noticing we show our care for the world around us.
Inspired by Nature: The Floriography Series
A body of work that reflects this idea is my Floriography print series. Floriography, or the victorian language of flowers, is rooted in the idea that plants carry specific meanings and were used in the Victorian era to send complex messages to friends and loved ones. This series draws on that tradition, using flowers not just as decoration, but as a way of telling stories through symbolism.
Each piece is created to embody the qualities needed in the fight to tackle the climate crisis. Individually and together these flowers ask us to reflect on whether we need more of these qualities in our lives and how to develop more of it.
In the collection we have:
Chamomile for energy in adversity
Clematis for ingenuity and cleverness
Iris for valour, wisdom and faith
Lily of the Valley for return of happiness
Protea for transformation
Queen Anne’s lace for sanctuary
Explore more of the collection for yourself at: https://communityinprint.co.uk/projects-0/floriography
Making with intention
The scale of climate issues is vast. Sometimes Earth Day can feel overwhelming, or make you feel unsure of where to begin. Creativity, however, offers a starting point that feels manageable.
This may look like:
Supporting small, interdependent artists and makers, rather than buying mass-produced
Using recycled or repurposed materials in your work or everyday life
Taking inspiration from nature, not just trends
Creating pieces that encourage others to slow down and notice
Despite being small actions, they build awareness, and awareness is where change begins.
Slowing down and paying attention, what do we care about?
There’s a natural link between creativity and mindfulness. Both ask us to slow down, observe, and engage more deeply with what’s simply around us. Whether sketching a plant, carving a print, or taking a walk to notice seasonal changes, these moments reconnect us with the environment meaningfully. Often, this connection is what drives care and responsibility. And care is oh so important because it makes our actions meaningful and make sense to us! We might want to walk to the local shop, or put the effort in to recycle, or attend that local climate cafe because we know what those choices connect to in a wider ecosystem. Creative journalling or collage is a great way to slow down and ponder these thoughts.
A gentle reminder this Earth Day
This Earth Day there’s no expectation to do everything. It’s about small, intentional choices, taking moments to notice and reflect. Whether through the art materials you use, or how you engage with the world around, it all contributes to something bigger. While creativity doesn’t solve everything, it helps us feel, understand, and connect. This is a powerful place to begin, and a way to think about our impact on the planet that is beyond statistics or scary narratives, but simply, what do we care about, and how can we enact that care?
As the season continues, I’ll be sharing more work inspired by nature and appreciating the world around. Thank you, as always, for being here.
Devon
(Community In Print)