The Whimsical Naturalist
Art by Katie Crawford
The Whimsical Naturalist, an imaginative watercolor exhibit by local artist Katie Crawford is on display at the Wyatt Visitor Pavilion of Cape Fear Botanical Garden from July-September 2025.
Through expressive portraits and playful storytelling, Katie introduces us to the native plants and animals of North Carolina in a way that’s both scientifically grounded and delightfully unexpected.
Each piece in The Whimsical Naturalist collection blends botanical and wildlife illustration with a narrative twist—pairing native species from shared habitats to highlight the stories of their coexistence. These portraits invite you into a whimsical world where facts meet feeling, and where every painting sparks reflection about the connections between species, spaces, and ourselves.
Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) With Dogwood (Cornus florida)
The eastern box turtle is common across the state. It is the only terrestrial turtle in NC and is recognizable because of its ability to “box up” its shell for protection. This box turtle was showing me its favorite Flowering Dogwood tree. It was very proud to have NC’s state flower growing on its property. They told me dogwood flowers and rootbark were used as medicines by Native Americans, but to avoid the berries as they are toxic to people.
You can also find select items from Katie’s collection in the Garden Gift Shop—including greeting cards, art prints, and her beautifully illustrated children’s book What the Map Left Out.
This exhibit marks the official launch of our CFBG 2025–26 theme: Harmony in Nature. Rooted in the idea of the “web of life,” this theme celebrates the balance, interconnectedness, and interdependence that hold ecosystems together. Katie’s work beautifully embodies these ideas—reminding us how plants, animals, and people all play a vital role in keeping nature in tune.
