Botanical guardians

Read more about the plant species that inspired me to create each illustration by clicking on each piece.
Also, learn about the project Botanical guardians here.

Fairytale scenes

With these illustrations I tell stories of magical characters who live in harmony with nature.

Fruit candy

Portrait work

Send me an email if you are interested in getting a portrait done by me.

Oil work

Hi! I'm Marta.

I am a part-time illustrator, part-time biomedical scientist,

and full-time nature witch.

I am a self-taught illustrator based in Madrid, Spain. I work with graphite, watercolors, oils and digital tools to create my drawings.

Want to work together?
Send me an email

About Botanical Guardians

Earth-based folklore and spirituality have always acknowledged the magic present in the natural world surrounding us, and have honored the unity of human and nature.The nature around me speaks to me, and encourages me to research the ethnobotanical, medicinal and spiritual uses behind the plants that I see. This guides me when painting the Botanical guardians. By sharing them with you, I aim to light a spiritual reminder to pause our fast-paced life and become mindful of the whisper of ancient nature. Nature which, like our female ancestors, birthed us, nurtured us and cared for us.This project is a call to the spirits of the women who walked before us: witches, goddesses, nymphs, healers. Women in possession of ancestral botanical knowledge who threatened the patriarchal pillars of society, and who thus were silenced.By letting them speak and bringing their wisdom to you, I hope to start healing the lost magical connection between nature and us.That is, if you are willing to listen.

Shop

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Sweetbriar rose
Rosa rubiginosa

Rosehip oil is rich in vitamin E and used to treat burns, scars and wrinkles. The hip is edible and high in vitamin C; can be made into sweet jams or tea. Rose petal infusion is thought to alleviate headaches and dizziness.Rose flowers are associated to the goddess Aphrodite and symbolize love and beauty.

Crocus, saffron
Crocus sp

Early blooming flowers; thus a symbol for hope, spring and new beginnings.Crocus sativus, the saffron crocus, was highly valued in Asia and the East Mediterranean region. Frescoes in Greece show the use of saffron dates back to the Bronze Age. It is also mentioned in The Illiad and the Old Testament.Saffron was traditionally used as dye, parfume, culinary spice and medicine. Persians and Sumerians used it to relieve melancholy. Chinese used it promote blood circulation and ease depression.

Star-of-Bethlehem, nap-at-noon, 11-o-clock-lady
Ornithogalum umbellatum

Folklore says that the star-of-Bethlehen shattered into pieces, blessing the earth with star-shaped flowers.Flowers bloom during May-June with daylight, opening at noon and closing at night or when the sky is covered.The entire plant is toxic as it contains cardiac glycoside convallatoxin, which increases cardiac output while reducing heart rate.