A Bermudian artist, farmer and wellness advocate has self-published a colouring and activity book aimed at cultivating inner peace.

Natalie Sannemalm is launching a limited-edition first print in Bermuda of the book titled Nurture Your Garden: A Gardener's Guide to Growth that marries her passions in life.

The self-help guide, which includes hand-drawn, botanically inspired images by Ms Sannemalm, will be available for sale at AgraLiving’s Fifth Anniversary Community Day taking place today from 1pm to 5pm at the Education and Research Garden located in the Botanical Gardens.

The official book launch is scheduled for November 9 at the first anniversary celebration of yoga and wellness studio Treehouse Bermuda, which is located at 12 Trott Road, Hamilton.

Ms Sannemalm told The Royal Gazette: “Nurture Your Garden is an amalgamated passion project I started while living remotely in the arctic region of Sweden during the pandemic.

“I took advantage of the three months of summer and midnight sun, practising permaculture gardening in an effort to live sustainably and for the therapeutic nature of working in soil. The remainder of the year is dark winter, prime conditions for Seasonal Affective Disorder, especially for an islander.

“I found solace through the long winter months in the pages of colouring books. During this time, Nurture Your Garden was developed from a deep desire to connect with the earth when I was stuck in a dark and cold place.”

Ms Sannemalm came up with the concept for the book in November 2023 when she began sketching nostalgic moments and interests in the gardening space. This body of work developed into detailed illustrations.

There are eight local and international contributors featured in the book, including gardeners, educators, artists and advocates whose insights are embedded throughout.

Each contributor reflects a different path to cultivating wellness — through the garden, the senses and the seasons.

The contributors include Vandana Shiva, Camille Dungy and Charles Dowling, along with Bermudian farmers Malachi Symonds and Marta Olander.

Ms Sannemalm describes herself as a multidisciplinary artist, focused at present on modern impressionist cloudscape paintings and intuitive illustrations.

She worked as a professional graphic designer, starting her design career at Pronto Print in Bermuda at age 15, and she holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts.

She has worked across North America, Latin America and Europe for clients that include MTV Networks, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and Audi Prestige. She self-published her first children’s book, No Peas, Please, in 2007.

Ms Sannemalm said the adult colouring book manual teaches gardening “from seed to harvest with activity pages, journal prompts, nutritional education and inspiring virtues”.

She added: “It invites the adult audience on a conscious journey of growth, starting with a seed. Just like us, the seed is alive and there begins the journey of sowing seeds with intentions.

“The stages of growth come with big life lessons and beautiful moments of presence. The colourist learns about the properties of fertile ground and builds a sense of awareness to how nutrients come into our food.

“There are nurturing tips about tending to seedlings and everyday gardening habits. Vegetables, fruits and herbs are highlighted for their physical and metaphysical proprieties, along with anecdotes and recipes.

“While caring for the garden, the reader is encouraged to engage their senses and set personal goals aligned with the seasons for manifestations to flourish.”

The book will be sold for $35.

There are a number of stores interested in selling the publication if stocks last, including Long Story Short, 1609 Design and the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art gift shop.

• For more information, visitwww.sow.bm