The therapeutic power of reconnecting with nature.

Written By Jodie McAlpin

The ‘Reconnection’ series is a collection of paintings where I explore the therapeutic power of reconnecting with nature on my mental health. The aim is to bring you the most bold and beautiful nature-inspired pieces with hidden subtle female portraiture in each painting.

I am someone who struggles with their mental health and have done for as long as I can remember. However, my mental health struggles were heightened once I was diagnosed with leukemia in 2015, and since that point, I have battled with my mind. This year has thrown up some challenges which has triggered some periods of being at war with my mind again. It wasn’t until I was outside one day surrounded by nature that I noticed that my mind was quiet, being outside gave me some mental peace, even for a short space of time. This feeling is what inspired this collection, I want to bring that same feeling of peace I get from being outside to you with art on a canvas.

With the ‘Reconnection’ series, my ultimate goal is to shed light on the importance of mental health while offering a source of hope and inspirarion for those who may be facing their own battles.

You might be thinking, how can being outside give you so much mental peace? Well, I’m a bit of a senstive soul, and one of those people that absorbs all of my surroundings, and I find that when I put my phone away and just observe what’s around me, my shoulders feel lighter and my mind quieter. Because of this new series I probably look like the local weirdo since I am always seen taking pictures of plants/bushes when I am out walking . . but that’s ok, it’s all in the name of art! For me if I am having a day where I am lost in anxiety and feel stressed, going outside in nature helps calm my brain, and if I find something that inspires me out my walk, being able to come back to the studio to paint it allows me the opportunity to share with you the things I find inspiring and beautiful.

If you do want to learn more about the impact of nature on mental health, Mind.org.uk explains this in more detail here.

Resources that have helped me and my mental health:

Books:

Specialised support:

If you are struggling with your mental health, please talk to your loved ones and your GP. ❤️

The ‘Reconnection’ series due to launch October 2023. Join my mailing list to be first to know of the launch!

Jodie McAlpin