By Janet L. Sellers
Engineering a forest bath
Last month, we explored how the Nobel physicist Richard Feynman found a profound second language in art. He saw no conflict between the equations of the universe and the beauty of a flower. This month, I want to take that a step further: What if art isn’t just a “pretty” addition to our lives, but a biological necessity?
Living here in the ponderosa forests of Tri-Lakes, many of us practice what the Japanese call Shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing.” It isn’t a hike or a workout; it’s a sensory soak. It’s the act of simply being—letting the scent of pine resin, the rhythm of the tides, or the vastness of a sunny sky “wash” over us. Our landscape provides more than just a view; it offers a complex biological rhythm.
When we experience these natural fractals, our brains do something remarkable: They “down-regulate.” Our cortisol drops, our heart rates steady, and a sense of restorative awe takes over. Our bodies recognize the organic world—whether it’s the depths of an ocean or the reach of a meadow—as a home.
In my recent research and MFA work, I’ve been asking a vital question: How do we bring that restorative bath to someone who can’t leave their bed? I have developed indoor murals for this purpose; in some, the trees arch branches and leaves overhead onto the ceiling for the bedridden to see, creating a protective canopy.
I call this the “architecture of awe.” The goal is to move beyond decorative pictures and create “trace memories” of nature, especially for clinical spaces. This research is informed by my time in Japan studying the concept of Ma—the silent, resonant space between objects that allows the viewer to breathe. In my studio, I’ve been experimenting with ways to archive those feelings of “being there” onto a canvas.
Instead of traditional brushes, I often use organic tools—like ponderosa pine branches—to apply pigment. By using the tools of the land and the pull of gravity, the resulting art holds the “velocity” of the outdoors. It creates a layered history on the canvas—a palimpsest—that our brains recognize instantly as an authentic natural rhythm.
I have designed these works for walls, and some are modular “2-3-2” triptychs. Designed for flexible installation, these 4-foot-high pieces follow a modular 2-3-2 configuration. The work consists of two 2-foot-wide panels and one 3-foot-wide panel. While each functions as an individual work, they can be combined into a seamless 7-foot-wide panorama of forest, sea, or sky. This flexibility allows the healing power of nature to adapt to any clinical footprint, extending its restorative reach directly onto a sterile wall.
Why does this matter? Because when a patient or client encounters these natural rhythms, their nervous system begins to respond as if they were standing under the pines or by the shore. These “trace memories” act as a biological anchor, reminding the body how to heal.
Art matters because it is a bridge. Just as Feynman used art to see the world more clearly, we can use it to feel the world more deeply. By bringing the essence of nature into our buildings, we aren’t just decorating walls—we are engineering a way back to peace.
Janet L. Sellers is a professional artist and educator developing nature-based “architecture of awe” prototypes for healthcare. She frequently shares her research through community talks and professional lectures. Contact: JanetSellers@ocn.me.
Other Art Matters articles
- Art Matters – Art, physics, Argyle socks, and math (3/4/2026)
- Art Matters – Is our education keeping up with visual literacy? (2/4/2026)
- Art Matters – How Gen Z influences our cultural and financial future (12/31/2025)
- Art Matters – Art curation: We all do it, even with holiday trees and gift wrapping (12/4/2025)
- Art Matters – Art shapes our world—and shifts our gaze (10/30/2025)
- Art Matters – October is Arts Month: Artober with Monumental Impact (10/1/2025)
- Art Matters – What is art good for? (9/3/2025)
- Art Matters – We Can’t Unchop a Tree (7/31/2025)
- Art Matters – The many benefits of outdoor art and arts events (7/3/2025)
- Art Matters – On being a sketchy person in the art and cultural sector (6/7/2025)
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