The Power of Representation: Illustrations in Harvesting Joy

When I created Harvesting Joy, I wasn’t just writing another gardening book—I was crafting a guide. A soulful, visual companion for beginner gardeners who needed more than just instructions. I wanted them to feel seen. I wanted you to feel seen. And one of my absolute favorite parts of this journey? The illustrations. Every single one was chosen with care and purpose.

One of my main inspiration in even starting my Youtube page was showing MY face. It was such a lack of representation I decided to fill the void.

Here is one of my first youtube videos talking gardening. I’m cringing because whew I didn’t know what I was doing in terms of editing but this was the very first video I put on youtube!

A Visual Celebration of Culture and Care

Most gardening books don’t reflect the faces and hands of the people I know and love—Black and brown people who have been growing, preserving, and tending land for generations. That’s why I was intentional about using illustrations that feature melanated hands. Yes, the hand could have had gloves but I didn’t want to use gloves I wanted to show a melanated hand in the garden.

As I began to fall in love with gardening, I purchased books/went all over youtube and found a lot of content creators. But- at the time- the number of gardeners that looked like me was FEW and FAR between. How could that be? Especially when I knew the history of gardening.

We are a large part of the story when it comes to gardening. Gardening is a smaller version of farming and Black Farmers have a LONG history of representation in the culture of farming. It was important for me to represent that in a subtle but also very really way.

This Ain’t Just Cute—It’s Teaching

Yes, the artwork is beautiful—but it also educates. These illustrations were designed to show you what to do, not just decorate the page. Whether you’re planting seeds, reading a seed packet the visuals support your learning. My mother is an educator. And the one thing I’ve always learned about education is that people learn differently. Some people look at pictures- some people read- some people reference the pictures AND read. I wanted to make sure I addressed all of those learning styles.

They’re step-by-step reinforcements, especially for folks who learn by seeing and doing—not just reading. Here are some of the first sketches the illustrator Gabby, did for me.

Representation Was the Assignment

I made deliberate choices throughout this book—from the skin tones to the clothes, tools, and garden settings. I wanted these pages to look like your auntie’s backyard, your city balcony, your cousin with the twist-out and green thumb. It was important for me not just to show the illustrations but my regular face enjoying my garden. Sure I can get cute but I’m not always made up in the garden.

If you’ve ever picked up a how-to book and thought, “This isn’t for me,”—I hope Harvesting Joy flips that script.

Why This Means So Much to Me

Seeing ourselves in everyday life matters. It reminds us that we belong everywhere—including in the garden. This book is a love letter to those who’ve never seen their hands in print, but who have always had their hands in the soil.

The illustrations are more than art—they’re a nod to our heritage, our joy, and our ability to grow something beautiful.

So many people tell me, “My grandmother has a garden down south”/”My family has land down in Louisiana.” I wrote this book for them. For all of the people who didn’t get to write a book but passed down lessons orally.

In fact, in my dedication I say “To the Ancestors, This book is dedicated to you- the ones who tilled the earth with resilience and hope, those who had to farm and garden for their survival and that of their families. Your hands planted seeds not just in soil, but in our hearts and histories. Thank you for your strength and wisdom. I promise to nurture your legacy, ensuring it blooms for generations to come. Your labor lives on.”

Ready to Start Your Gardening Journey?

Harvesting Joy is more than a beginner’s gardening guide—it is a beautifully illustrated invitation to begin. Whether you’ve got a backyard, a few pots on the porch, a raised bed on the deck- or just a sunny windowsill, this book was made with you in mind.