Peace & Welcome—to inward journeys, and sacred patterns

Welcome to InsideMyNest– 
a quiet corner of the web 
where writing becomes 
a form of listening 
from the quiet within 
to existence
to thought 
to the self 
to the real 
rooted in reflection 
unfolding in truth 
growing toward clarity 
here, let us write 
not to impress 
but to make 
every inner-growth 
a feather in the wing 
of our becoming

Each word a twig, each thought a thread, woven into a nest of stillness—welcome to the calming beauty of slow drawing, mindful writing, sacred symmetry, and the quiet wisdom of the natural world—a quiet unfolding toward the simple, the still, and the sacred.

Here, you’ll find:

  • Journalling practices for stillness, meaning and inner order
  • Writing & illustrating tools that teach through reflection, symbolism and form
  • Art tutorials that reflect sacred patterns

I work across a variety of mediums, each chosen for its unique ability to reveal something different—

  • Graphite Pencil – for precise studies, tonal shading, and structural sketches
  • Coloured Pencil – for subtle layering of colour and texture, ideal for botanical and geometric accuracy
  • Brush Pens & Markers – for bold, expressive lines and colourful applications, perfect for stylised forms and dynamic illustrations
  • Watercolour – for translucent washes that capture the delicacy of plant forms or the rhythm of repeating patterns
  • Oil Painting – for richly layered, dimensional portraits of nature and form
  • Procreate – for flexible, versatile studies, from botanical renderings to intricate geometric compositions
  • Needlecraft – for tactile, meditative works that stitch stories into fabric through embroidery, weaving, or textile layering
  • Papercraft – for crisp, structured forms or delicate, cut-paper detailing that explores space, light, and repetition
  • Sculpting – for dimensional interpretation in clay that invites quiet stillness in the rush and noise of the world

Whether you’re just beginning or refining your craft, I invite you to explore:

Step-by-Step Tutorials

I’ll guide you through foundational techniques—such as rendering leaf venation in graphite, constructing geometric patterns with compass and ruler, mixing greens for watercolour washes, or layering pigment digitally in Procreate. Each tutorial blends classical methods with both traditional and modern tools.

Studies from Life & Pattern

Follow along as we document both plant specimens and geometric compositions—from initial sketches to finished pieces. These posts focus on process: observation, proportion, symmetry, colour harmony, and thoughtful design decisions.

Medium Spotlights

Explore how we approach the same subject across different media. These posts offer side-by-side comparisons and practical tips, showing how the medium influences both technique and expression in botanical and geometric work.

Inspiration from Nature, History & Tradition

I draw continual inspiration from native plants, traditional Islamic art, sacred architecture, botanical gardens, and historical manuscripts. These posts include reference photos, seasonal studies, pattern breakdowns, and reflections on the contemplative nature of both disciplines.

Patterns of the Infinite: Islamic Geometry, Symmetry & Interlacing Forms

At the dawn of Islam, when the earth groaned beneath the weight of forgotten truths and idols stood where hearts once knew the Divine, a messenger named Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent with a voice that echoed the call of earlier messengers—of Lā ilāha illā Allāh. He commanded the idols be cast down and called humanity back to the worship of the One True God—the God of the universe, the God of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them all). In order to guard this restored clarity of worship, he also prohibited the depiction of living beings, reminding his followers that creation belongs to God alone. This prohibition was intended to preserve the purity of monotheism and prevent any revival of idol worship, which had been widespread in pre-Islamic Arabia.

This restraint was not a silencing of the soul, but a redirection of the gaze—from the crafted to the Creator, from the image to the Infinite. It was not a denial of beauty, but an invitation to seek it elsewhere: in the rhythm of nature, in the order of the stars, in the quiet perfection of form and pattern. Rooted in the oneness of God (Tawhid), this vision called hearts to contemplation unclouded by intermediaries, where no figure could stand between man and his Creator.

But where images were removed, beauty was not banished. In place of the graven and the fixed, a new language of devotion began to emerge—one not shaped in the likeness of living forms, but in patterns, in calligraphy, in light and proportion. A sacred art, not of imitation, but of reflection.

As the centuries unfolded, this art flourished across lands and cultures—Andalusia to Persia, Cairo to Samarkand—each region weaving its own voice into the unbroken symphony of sacred design. Guided by the principle of Tawhid, artists became seekers, architects became poets, and mosques became reflections of the heavens.

These are works of art that do not boast, but bow. Carved not by ego, but in humbleness. They seek no applause, but dissolve into remembrance. Not acts of self-expression, but self-erasure. They bear no signature of man, only an echo of the Infinite. Patterns of surrender made not to glorify the artist, but the One who created the laws of pattern itself. They do not ask, “Who made this?” They ask, “Who made all?”

In a world increasingly obsessed with the self, Islamic art offers another way — not an assertion of identity, but a surrender to unity and the One. Its silence speaks louder than spectacle. Its repetition reveals, rather than hides. In every carved arch, every endless pattern, every stroke of calligraphy, it reminds us that true beauty is not invented — it is discovered, reflected, and returned to its Source. This is not art for the gallery wall, but for the soul. Not to impress, but to incline the heart toward the Infinite.

Through intricate geometry, calligraphy, and pattern, Islamic art encourages intellectual and spiritual contemplation rather than aesthetic consumption. These visual forms do not seek to depict the world or its inhabitants, but instead invite reflection on the order, beauty, and harmony of the created universe — ultimately pointing beyond the material to the transcendent, toward the perfection of the “unseen” Creator, as the ultimate Artist and Source of all beauty.

In this tradition, form does not distract from the Divine—it draws the soul inward, toward the centre, toward stillness, toward the Real. What began with the breaking of idols became a revelation of a deeper vision: that the world itself, when seen through the lens of unity, is a sign (āyah)—and beauty, when rightly ordered, becomes a means of return.

What Will I Learn

While this art form has roots in Islamic culture, the practice itself is open to everyone. What I offer is a hands-on, mindful approach to exploring pattern, structure, and creativity. Many people find the process meditative and grounding, whether they’re interested in cultural history, slow art or just making beautiful patterns. Studying and creating Islamic geometric art is more than just a technical exercise. It offers:

  • Artistic discipline: Training your hand and eye to follow rules and proportions.
  • Mathematical literacy: Understanding geometry through a visual and tactile experience.
  • Mindful creativity: Engaging in a process that is meditative, slow, and precise.
  • Connection to tradition: Stepping into a lineage of artists, architects, and thinkers who used pattern to express the inexpressible.

In my tutorials, I guide students through the process of creating these traditional patterns, focusing on the geometry and design principles behind them. There’s no need for prior art or math experience—just curiosity and a bit of patience.

You’ll learn:

  • Geometric patterns with their precise structures and repeating forms, which reflect a sense of harmony and order. They’re often seen as a way to visually explore the idea of the infinite, using only a compass, ruler, and a few basic shapes.
  • The Arabesque flowing, plant-like patterns, which brings a contrasting softness. These designs suggest growth, movement, and organic beauty, often weaving endlessly across surfaces in a way that feels calming and reflective.

Together, these forms create a kind of visual meditation: a balance between control and creativity, structure and flow.

My tutorials are dedicated to helping you unlock the secrets of Islamic patterns. Through clear lessons, downloadable templates, and hands-on exercises, you’ll learn to construct everything from simple rosettes to elaborate tiling patterns.

Stay tuned as we break down classic designs, demonstrate step-by-step compass and ruler techniques, and explore the cultural context behind the patterns.

Botanical Illustration

At the heart of my work lies a deep reverence for the beauty, complexity, and quiet poetry of the plant world. Botanical illustration is not just about drawing plants — it’s about learning to see them with care, precision, and wonder.

Through close observation and mindful practice, we study the delicate structures of leaves, petals, stems, and seeds. Each line drawn is an act of attention; each illustration, a bridge between science and art. Far from being merely decorative, these details help us understand the unique form, function, and personality of each plant.

Every illustration begins not with a brush or stylus, but with careful looking: noticing the curve of a stem, the symmetry of a leaf, the subtle shifts in colour and texture. This quiet, attentive way of seeing invites us to slow down — to move at the pace of nature itself.

Whether you’re new to drawing or returning to it after many years, botanical illustration offers a rewarding way to connect with the natural world. It teaches patience, deepens observation, and cultivates a sense of wonder that often gets lost in the rush of everyday life. Here, we don’t just learn how to draw plants — we learn how to truly see them.

Down to Earth, Rooted in Stillness, Crafted by Hand—Our Handmade Pottery Store

There is a quiet power in stillness—a grounding force that slows the rush of modern life and reconnects us with the earth beneath our feet. Our handmade ceramics are born from this place of calm, shaped by hands that honour the natural rhythms of clay, fire, and time.

Inspired by the rugged beauty of raw earth and the gentle pulse of nature’s seasons, each piece is an honest expression of weathered, tactile surfaces and sunbaked, earth tones. The subtle imperfections, mossy textures, and unrefined forms speak to lives lived in quiet spaces—where sunlight filters softly through ancient trees, and morning mist rolls over wild meadows. They hold the essence of earth cracked gently by the summer sun, the scent of damp soil after rain, and the soothing rhythm of a mountain stream smoothing rough pebbles.

Our process is slow and mindful. No two pieces are alike, for just as no two moments of stillness are the same, every creation carries its own unique story. We hope our ceramics offer more than function—they offer a connection to the earth, a touch of nature’s quiet beauty, and a gentle reminder to slow down and be present.

These rustic, handmade pieces are all about stillness, grounding us in the richness of the natural world and the humble art of making by hand.

Browse our Handmade Pottery Store on Etsy or Holly & Co.