From ivy-blanketed murals to sculptures woven from willow branches, these 9 artworks blur the line between nature and art. You’ll find a dreaming child merging into a hedgerow in Ecuador, a giant girl watering a real tree in Poland, and a sleeping forest maiden who changes with the seasons in Cornwall. Artists around the world are letting nature do more than surround their work—it’s becoming part of it.
1. When Street Art Meets Nature — Imbabura, Ecuador
A child sleeps peacefully against a concrete wall, painted with lifelike softness by El Decertor. Ivy draped across the mural seamlessly forms a textured blanket, and a teddy bear peeks from underneath the greenery.
Painted by Natalia Rak, this towering mural features a young girl in traditional Polish dress gently watering a tree growing from the ground below. The tree aligns perfectly with her tilted watering can, turning the entire scene into a gentle urban myth.
Carved by Eva Oertli & Beat Huber, five stone fingers emerge from the earth to cradle a growing tree, as if nature itself is being held by a giant underground guardian.
A large expressive face inside the hollow of a tree. The grain and curvature of the wood become part of the face, making it appear as though the tree is speaking or laughing.
5. Come into Light — Tulum, Mexico
Created by Daniel Popper, this monumental wooden sculpture of a human figure gently opens its chest to reveal a tunnel of living greenery. The work invites visitors to step inside and walk through the heart of nature.
This living sculpture by Sue and Pete Hill lies in the woods of the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Covered in moss and ivy, it changes with the seasons, transforming from green and alive in summer to white and frozen in winter.
On a wall in Paleokastritsa, an elegant face is painted alongside a flourishing bougainvillea. The artist positions the real branches as flowing floral hair, giving life and movement to the portrait.
8. Forest Archer — UK
Crafted by Anna & the Willow, this sculpture made entirely of woven willow shows a woman mid-draw with a bow and arrow. Set deep in a forest path, her flowing skirt and hair mimic the wind.
9. Vertical Garden — Patrick Blanc in Madrid, Spain
French botanist and artist Patrick Blanc created this monumental vertical garden on the side of a building near the CaixaForum in Madrid. Covering the entire façade, it features hundreds of plant species arranged in layers of color and texture, turning the urban wall into a living ecosystem. More photos!: Vertical Garden – By Patrick Blanc in Madrid and Paris
10 Breathtaking Murals by Natalia Rak That Turn City Walls Into Dreams
Natalia Rak is a muralist from Poland who transforms public spaces with her large-scale, colorful works.
Her art often focuses on themes like nature, connection, and emotion, using vivid colors and intricate designs to create murals that inspire. Natalia Rak’s murals have transformed walls in cities across the globe, including Kraków in Poland, Berlin in Germany, Joensuu in Finland, and Asparn an der Zaya in Austria. Each location showcases her vibrant colors and intricate storytelling, making public spaces unforgettable.
To get to know Natalia Rak better, you can check out her on Instagram.
The Legend of Giants: An Immortal Artwork by Natalia Rak
In the heart of Białystok, Poland, a legendary tale has been elegantly translated into a vivid mural by the talented artist Natalia Rak. Painted back in 2013 for the Folk on the Street festival, the mural has become a lasting symbol of this vibrant city.
Natalia Rak: “When I started drawing a sketch I had to consider few elements of the area, for example there are windows and growing tree which we can’t cut. The organizers gave me texts about polish legends from that region. I especially liked legends about giants. First they destroy world around them but later they start to copy human behavior and started taking care of the nature. I hit on an idea how including the tree. I think this mural is good start to take up green areas development. Cities should have as many trees as possible. When I started I had CMYK in acrylics and more that 100 cans. I always use acrylic paints on background and then I make detail using spray cans. The sketch took me 4 hours. I worked ten hours per day. After seven days this mural was finished. I had rain each day of work but I was very optimistic and full of hope.”
More beautiful murals by Natalia Rak!:
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For Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative in Asparn an der Zaya, Austria.
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“Explore Nature” in Terracina, Italy.
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“Tree of life” for Upeart Festival in Joensuu Finland.
6,226 likes, 221 comments - nataliarakart on March 9, 2019: "“Legend about Giants” (2013) painted on festival “Folk on the Street” organized by WOAK (Regional center of cultural animation)
When I started drawing a sketch I had to consider few elemen…
