Art for advocacy: Doing my part for the planet
I’m drawn to the idea that design can shape habits. When a design becomes part of daily use, it gently reinforces our intentions. Doing my part for the planet is a message that came to me during Covid, when walking outside in nature replaced indoor gym time or mixing with friends. I spent many days hiking and running through the native bushland near my home, and started researching the local flora and fauna.
Over the past 200 years, Australia has lost more species than any other continent, and continues to have the highest rate of species decline. Australia experienced devastating bushfires throughout 2019 and 2020, killing many koalas and native species. Doing my part for the planet felt like a strong message to bring attention to climate change. How could I create something that looked like my style and be brought to life in multiple ways?
This piece began as a hand-painted watercolour wreath — soft, organic and circular, like the quiet rhythm of nature itself, with the lettering inside the wreath as a statement and commitment. Painted using Winsor & Newton watercolours and Ecoline concentrates, the cartouche actually began its life as Do your part for the planet. Deciding that a stronger call to action would create a deeper sense of ownership, I repainted the first line to read Doing my. Through the power of Photoshop, I blended both designs to create the final ‘Doing my part for the planet’. The harmonious connection of hues created beautiful gradients, and I loved how the watercolours blended and dried together.
Paper to tote
Visible objects lead to small actions which, when multiplied, can make a global difference. Placing my artwork onto a tote bag felt like the natural next step. Instead of living only on paper, this was a message that could move through everyday life — carried to markets, studios, shops and streets, becoming a conversation starter.
Once the final design was Photoshopped, it was added to the canvas tote bags, ready to sell in my Shop. It’s become a visual pledge to live with more awareness, more care, and more responsibility for the world that sustains us. The design is also available for art licensing and, if you’d like a design painted for your brand, email me to commission a custom design.
Some tips to help Mother Earth:
❇️ choose recycled and vegan goods made close to home
❇️ shop at Farmer’s markets and/or buy unpackaged food
❇️ make/use organic pesticides for the garden
❇️ plant trees to restore habitats
