Guest post written by Moni Hill
It is my profound honor to donate a painting to benefit Dogwood Alliance. Dogwood Alliance is a nonprofit that serves Southern forests and communities. The forests and trees of Western North Carolina are not just my inspiration. They’re my teachers and my refuge. They’re my daily reminder of resilience, beauty, and interconnection.
The spicebush in spring
Every spring, I’m in awe of the wildflowers and the ancient trees coming back to life. Of the birds migrating through our mountains. On a recent walk, the neon-green blossoms of a spicebush stopped me in my tracks. I had a moment of wonder. It felt like a lifeline. A reminder of how much we depend on the living world to sustain our spirits as much as our bodies. This was the inspiration for my painting Spicebush Blossoms Will Save Your Life.
As an artist, my creativity and soul are rooted in the health and vitality of these forests. There’s the changing seasons, varied altitudes, and abundant rainfall here. They all create endless sources of wonder. They give endless reasons to fight for their protection. Protecting our forests is essential for our survival on this planet. It’s essential for sustaining beauty and inspiration. It also lets us express through art what it feels like to be alive in this place.
Art & action
My heart aches when I hear of climate injustice and industrial logging. Sometimes I feel powerless. Sharing my art to support Dogwood Alliance feels right. Dogwood works tirelessly for climate justice and the protection of our shared world. Sharing my art is one small, meaningful way I can help.
Join me at Dogwood’s wine mixer in Asheville
I’m excited for the intimate gathering Dogwood Alliance is hosting at Flora! The event is on Saturday, October 4th from 5pm – 8pm. Flora Botanical Living is a long-time support of Dogwood’s work. The silent auction will open there for my painting, Spicebush Blossoms Will Save Your Life. I would love to meet others who share a deep reverence for our forests. I invite you to bid on this piece. Together, through art and action, we can protect the wild places that sustain us all. I hope you’ll join me there on October 4th!
Moni Hill was born in Berlin, Germany. She’s lived with her husband and three daughters in Asheville, North Carolina for over 20 years. The biodiversity around her home in the mountains inspires her. She loves long hikes, big trees, and little warblers. She loves native wildflowers and authentic, wild people. Her studio looks out on a yard full of gardens and birds. Moni’s paintings ignite a connection to the natural world and the joy of color.