5 Top Books about Nature to Inspire Your Creative Projects

Deepen your understanding of the natural world and discover new inspiration for crafts, illustration, design, and more

No matter your creative discipline, when it comes to inspiration, one of the greatest influences for many artists is nature.

From collage artists to illustrators to designers, the natural world is a unique source of ideas for creative exploration; whether you prefer to work with traditional tools like pencil and paper, or paint digitally using innovative design software, the possibilities are quite literally endless.

Collage and installation artist Clare Celeste Börsch (@clare_celeste) uses nature as her inspiration to create immersive 3D collages made of hand-cut paper images. She grew up surrounded by creativity, encountering new landscapes around the world, and it’s a passion that she carries both into her personal and professional life.

Her work is designed to engage people of all ages in biodiversity and has appeared in international galleries as well as in publications including O, The Oprah Magazine, and The Guardian.

Below, Clare shares the five books on nature that have inspired her and the art she creates.

1. The Invention of Nature, by Andrea Wulf

Andrea Wulf’s work is a national bestseller, and the winner of countless awards, including the New York Times Best Book of the Year, and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize.

The biography tells the story of naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, whose revolutionary way of thinking changed the world we know today and shaped our modern view on the environment. Discover his travels through South America, Europe, and beyond, along with the striking predictions he made that still influence scientists today.

2. Maria Sibylla Merian (Artist Monographs), by Daniel Kiecol

Images can be just as powerful as words, and this book featuring works by Maria Sibylla Merian is filled with them.

Merian was a German naturalist, scientific illustrator, and one of the earliest European naturalists to observe insects directly. This book features a collection of delicate botanical illustrations that she created while in Suriname, and it’s been another important source of inspiration for Clare.

Merian’s vibrant illustrations depict nature in a beautiful yet realistic form through meticulous attention to detail, making it a great reference for illustrators of all levels and abilities.

3. Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds and Shape Our Futures, by Merlin Sheldrake

Entangled Life is “eye-opening on why humans should consider fungi among the greatest of earth’s marvels,” and, as Clare’s current read, it’s the inspiration behind some of her most recent artwork.

Written by biologist Merlin Sheldrake, the international bestseller encourages readers to take a look at their existence from a totally different perspective with fungi in mind. It was awarded the Royal Society Science Book Prize and was named one of the Best Books of the Year by Time.

4. Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants, by Robin Wall Kimmerer

The connection between humans and nature is intrinsic, and it’s something many artists strive to convey through the work they create. This book, as its title suggests, focuses on the idea that we have something to learn from that connection.

Written by Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass has played a significant role in Clare’s relationship with the natural world: “This book has been important to me in understanding my own love and reciprocal connection with our planet.”

5. All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis, edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katharine Wilkinson

Made up of essays from inspiring women who are leading the climate movement, this anthology was described by The New York Times as, “A powerful read that fills one with, dare I say . . . hope?”.

All We Can Save brings together the thoughts and opinions of women around the world, from lawyers to designers, each with their own unique view on how we can build a brighter future. Speaking about the book, Clare said: “This book changed my life—and I think it also plants the seeds that could save our planet.”

Discover more creative inspiration from the natural world

- To see how Clare channels her passion for nature into the work she creates, see her course Paper Collage Murals: Create Nature-Inspired Wall Art.

- From sketching to watercolor, digital painting, and beyond, explore ten online courses to learn nature illustration.

- Get inspired by thousands of free-to-use vintage naturalist images, including insects, flowers, fruit, and animals of all shapes and sizes.