Finding Beauty in the Untamed

There’s something magnetic about wild spaces—the way they defy control, moving to their own rhythm. The tangled roots of a forest floor, the jagged cliffs battered by endless waves, the relentless growth of plants sprouting through cracks in pavements. These untamed moments remind us that beauty isn’t always polished or perfect. Sometimes, it’s raw, weathered, and wonderfully imperfect.

As an artist, I’m drawn to these wild places because they tell stories—of resilience, change, and untapped energy. When I stand in a landscape shaped by time and nature’s hand, I feel both small and inspired, a part of something far greater than myself. It’s these feelings I try to capture in my work, whether through layers of deep green in a botanical painting or the turbulent blues of the sea.

How to Bring Wild Beauty into Your Life

• Seek Out Wild Spaces
  Not all wilderness is far away. You can find wildness in unexpected places—an overgrown garden, a rugged coastline, or a dense forest trail. Some of my favourite walks in the Lake District take place at the crack of dawn, racing the sun up the hill to be greeted by a glorious sunrise and only you and your walking boots can be heard. Where trees stand like quiet sentinels, branches weaving stories of years gone by.

Bathsheba- As touched by human hands as it is buffeted by the wind

Twisted trees growing in Cala D'Or

Waiting for the sun at Latrigg - Ullswater

I remember standing at the edge of the cliffs in Bathsheba, Barbados, watching the waves crash against the shore with a force that felt almost otherworldly. There’s no taming that kind of power. It’s wild, beautiful, and humbling all at once—a reminder that nature exists on its own terms, whether or not we’re ready for it. Moments like that find their way into my paintings, not as literal depictions but as impressions of strength and untamed energy.

Yet, these wild places are increasingly at risk. As we expand our cities and tame the landscapes around us, we risk tipping the balance and losing the very wilderness that inspires us. It’s fleeting—more so than we realise—and that’s why I believe it’s so important to celebrate and protect it.

• Observe and Reflect
  Spend time simply observing nature. Watch the patterns of light on leaves, the movement of water, or the way plants adapt and grow in unexpected places. Take these moments as inspiration, whether it’s for creating art, writing, or just shifting your perspective.
  
  

• Break the Rules in Your Creativity
  Wild beauty is about freedom, not perfection. Let go of rigid expectations in your creative process. Experiment with bold strokes, unexpected colours, or unconventional compositions. Let nature’s untamed spirit guide you.

• Practise Seasonal Living
  Pay attention to the cycles of the natural world—what’s blooming, shifting, or fading around you. Aligning with these rhythms can help you feel more grounded and connected to something bigger.

  
  

• Surround Yourself with Nature’s Imperfections
  Add natural elements to your home that feel organic and irregular—driftwood, wildflowers, stones, or dried leaves. These details tell a story, one shaped by the passage of time and nature’s hand. A single tropical flower, with its bold colour and wild form, can bring a burst of life into your space and remind you of warmer, untamed places.

Blooms in Mallorca, too bright to believe

A Lasting Appreciation for the Untamed

Finding beauty in the untamed is about slowing down and embracing what’s raw, wild, and fleeting. Whether it’s in the grandeur of crashing waves or the delicate unfurling of a fern, these moments remind us of our place in the world. They invite us to look closer, appreciate more deeply, and maybe even protect what’s left of the wild for generations to come.