Q: Tell us a little about yourself and your journey to where you are now.

A: The Leafy Vine as an official business started just 2 years ago, but the seed was planted several decades ago. I have always appreciated plants and home décor, and I can remember the plants that I bought for my first apartment, over 30 years ago. After stepping away from my pediatric nursing job due to health reasons, I invested more time into plants and decided to share that love of plants with others.

Q: What inspired you to become an artist? What are your passions?

A: Nature is an amazing artist and the inspiration for all my work. Studies show that time spent in nature or around natural elements is beneficial for our mental and physical health, yet Americans spend over 85% of our time indoors. The best solution is to head outdoors, but when that is not possible, I think we should bring nature inside. My two favorite ways to do this is through the art of kokedama and through preserved moss art.

Q: Could you tell us about your creative process and the techniques that you use?

A: Kokedama translates to “moss ball” from Japanese and is a style of potting up plants in a ball of moss and then displaying them on a dish or by hanging them. Traditionally this is done using live moss, but I prefer to use preserved sheet moss to simplify the care of the kokedama. Almost any plant can be made into a kokedama by adjusting the “soil” that is used.

When creating preserved moss art, I design pieces with different influences. Some pieces closely resemble what you might find in nature, some are more geometric, using contrasting colors and textures of different moss species, and some are more modern, using different colors of Reindeer Moss as if it were paint. I rarely preplan my designs, and instead construct the art as I go, considering how nature grew that specific piece of wood, plant or moss.

Q: What advice do you have to those looking to use moss in their art?

A: Give it a try! Search the internet for inspiration, then create something that speaks to you. Preserved Moss is so versatile that you can create a more natural looking piece or a totally funky, pop culture design. It’s totally up to you and there are no rules!

Q: How can people contact you or view your work?

A: My work can be viewed online at theleafyvine.com, on Instagram (@theleafyvine) or on Facebook (The Leafy Vine). I can be reached: 1) at [email protected], 2) through my website, or 3) via social media direct message.