#madisonsaferillustration

Happy Pride Month Being queer has been such an immense joy in my life and I’m thankful to be able to celebrate it so openly.

One of my favorite aspects of practice herbalism is all of the tools that go into making the process special. I find that a lot of tools are ones that can be found around the house like twine, scissors, a tea kettle, etc. But the as time has gone on, I’ve enjoyed collecting ones that inspire me to want to be using them more often. This is by means not a comprehensive list of tools that can be used while foraging or practicing herbalism, but some of the most basic, especially for beginners

A magpie sketch from the other day 

Owl in her garden

Bluebird Hug

Violets and dandelions are some of my favorite plants to work with because of how abundantly they grow in relatively easy to find locations like yards, woodland edges, and sunny fields.* An oxymel is a great way to preserve these flavors and it’s quite easy to make. An oxymel is typically vinegar, honey, and plant matter (in this case flowers). Oxymels can be used for soothing for coughs/sore throats and digestive tonic before or after a meal. They can either be taken by the spoonful without dilution, or stirred into a glass of warm or cold water. Personally, I mostly use them as a flavoring additive to a fizzy drink. Here’s how to make one yourself:

½ cup violet flowers
½ cup dandelion petals
½-1 cup honey (to taste)
1 cup Apple cider vinegar
1 Tbs blood orange
2 in chopped ginger coins

Combine violets and dandelion petals in a clean, sterilized jar. Allow the blossoms to steep in the vinegar for a week, then strain the vinegar through a sieve, removing the flowers.

Stir the honey into the vinegar until completely smooth in the mixture.

Once the honey has dissolved, the oxymel is ready. Add blood orange and ginger (either cut into small cubes or juiced) into the mixture and enjoy!

As a beverage, spring bloom oxymel is especially refreshing over ice with a bit of soda water.

*As with foraging for any plant, be mindful of where you’re picking from (consider if they are being sprayed with pesticides), and how much you’re taking.

I’ve really enjoyed working on these little queer animal couples since it’s nothing something I see reflected often in fairytales and storytelling. Thankful for queer parenthood, biological and chosen, in all of its tenderness.

A bee and her Calendula 

Mycologist Mole

Happy Earth Day, everyone! Trying to more earth consciously is certainly a process that doesn’t happen overnight. Composting is certainly one that left me with a lot of questions at first. I’ve been doing it and off for the last 5 years (not every space has been conducive to it) and have found that like most things, every compost pile can be a little different based on what you’re using for the bin, what climate your in, and how much space you have for it. These guidelines have worked well for me when trying to remember what can be put in it. Some of the best advice I’ve received about composting is finding a good ratio between “brown” (carbon) and “green” (nitrogen) material of about 25:1 (carbon to nitrogen). This means keeping things like newspaper, dead leaves, and hay to a much smaller ratio. Things that I don’t typically throw in my compost would be citrus peels, dairy products, meat products, and diseased plants. Other things to consider putting in would be house plant trimmings, old dried spices, and bashed avocado pit. Composting has significantly reduced waste in my house and has really helped reframe what resources can be regenerative. For those of you looking to start, or just need a reminder, I added this poster to my downloadable page on my website (link in my bio) for free!

Two bunny mamas and their babies! 

So happy to share this lovely piece I worked on with @herbalacademy for Herbalist Day. Their work was one of the first platforms to really inspire me to create illustrated herbal recipes, and continue to inspire me daily ✨

Hope everyone is enjoying the spring sun today ✨

I’ve always loved pottery and handmade vessels. One of the few things I collect are handmade mugs because of what a lovely addition in makes for a morning ritual. Hopefully someday I’ll be able to make my own!

✨HERBS FOR MENSTRUATION✨I’m SO excited to share this collaboration with the lovely @thehillbillyafrican , writer, herbalist, and practicing doula. Farai has a wealth wisdom to share from baby wearing to down-to-earth eco consciousness. I’ve always admired her realness and practicality when it comes to incorporating herbalism and sustainable mindsets in her own work. She provided all of the written work for this poster, while I worked on the illustrations. Herbs for Menstruation will be available as a print on my Etsy, however the downloadable version will be at her Patreon (link is in Farai’s and my bio). A few other downloadable goodies will be available on her Patreon as well, so it’s definitely worth checking out!
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Herbs provide powerful, tonifying, and nourishing support during and leading up to menstruation. Along with rest, eating nourishing foods, drinks, and gentle self care like face steams, warm rice packs, foot baths, and baths are great ways to support the body. Herbs can be included in all of these practices. From including them in your foods as culinary spices to adding them to your drinks in the forms of infusions, teas, drinking vinegars. You can also sew the herbs like rose into rice packs for the added aromatherapy boost. Take caution, do your own research, consult with your health care provider, and use your own discrection before you begin to use these herbs. Especially if you are on pharmaceuticals, pregnant, or lactating.

The information shared is not FDA approved and does not constitute medical advice. It is sourced from folk-lore, personal experience, general scientific research, and oral history and learning.

A little spring bunny looking for something good to find

Ever wonder how flowers get their colors? I like to imagine they get a little help. On a side note, this is my first time painting a snail with a beret. Will definitely be doing it again.

While New England still has large chunks of melted snow and ice, warmer weather will (hopefully) soon be on its way! Spring foraging is some of my favorite of the season, because of the excitement after the long winter months. One of my favorite is wild greens pesto (with violet leaves and dandelions greens). What are you most looking forward to?

Saw the first crocuses and snowdrops peaking out of the ground this week, spring is coming soon

One of a series of bird themed piece for the upcoming @enormoustinyart show! During the pandemic, I bought a few bird feeders for our side yard. Especially in the winter while I can’t putz in my very tiny garden, it’s been really enjoyable to see all of the life around the feeder. One of my favorites have become the dark eyed juncos that congregate around the fallen seeds. This is one a series of 6 that I will be sharing later. All will be for sale at the gallery in a few weeks!