Apr 26, 2023

Violet Uprising

Violet tea recipe, watercolor tutorial, book recommendations... all inspired by my love for Appalachia!

Photo by Christina Cochran

Ever since I was a little girl, I have been drawn to using flowers and plants for various reasons. No one taught me this, but I suppose it's a natural instinct, isn't it? Especially for those with a deep rooted appreciation for nature and all she provides. I can remember the lecture I received from my Mom after taking my best pair of white gloves (intended for Easter Sunday), and dying them a deep purple with mulberries that I had found nearby. I so badly wanted to utilize nature and the land around me in a way that women before me had done. My imagination ran wild with this idea throughout my Summers and years of outdoor play. As I grew and went through the phases of maturity, I had forgotten this desire and sense of exploration.... until becoming a mother, that is. Children have a way of inspiring excitement for things long-forgotten, and I'm so incredibly appreciative of the reminders I have recieved from my precious boys. Whether it's foraging for flowers and fungi, creek stomping and hunting for fossils, or finding tadpoles and crawdads, I find this is a passion I have returned to and can share with my children and hopefully one day, my grandchildren.

This article was inspired by my infatuation with all things Appalachia. My ancestors are from Eastern Kentucky and I grew up surrounded by these strong women. Their food, their stories, their quilts, and their unwavering dedication to family, have helped shape who I am today. I find I am drawn to it now more than ever.

Violet Tea

Photo by Christina Cochran

One of my favorite influencers is Whitney Johnson, The Appalachian Forager. Not only is her content educational, but its funny and feels incredibly authentic. She inspired me to make violet tea! I encourage you to check out her content HERE.

Proven to be beneficial medicinally (much like dandelions), wild violets have been used for centuries. The process is simple. The tea requires equal parts violet blossoms (no stems) to boiling water. I chose to use a quart-sized Ball Jar, which admittedly took a while to fill with violets. My boys were eager to help! Allow the tea to steep for 24 hours in a room temperature, dark space. I put mine in a kitchen cabinet. The following day, strain out the flowers and add either honey or sugar and lemon juice to taste. If using sugar or honey, warm up a small amount of the tea to dissolve the chosen sweetener, before adding it back in. Squeezing in the lemon juice was the most exciting part for us, because the tea goes from a deep blue to a gorgeous purple!

Wild Violet Illustration

Naturally, foraging these beautiful wild flowers encouraged me to make an illustration. As with any work of art that is personal to you, just enjoy the process by starting with a sketch done in pencil. Once you are satisfied with the outline, fill it in with color! Feel free to explore and try new things when it comes to color varieties and blending. I often times go back over my pencil lines with a fine-tip marker, but to each their own!

SUPPLIES

Book Recommendation

Not only do I love traveling to and exploring the Appalachian region, I also love learning about it's history and rich culture. What better way to immerse oneself, than to read a historical fiction novel (possibly my favorite genre). I have recently read The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson, and felt absolutely transported to this region during The Great Depression. Inspired by the WPA's Pack Horse Library Project, it is a story of a strong and dedicated woman who was born into severely difficult circumstances and faced many obstacles, all while braving treacherous landscapes in order to deliver books and encourage literacy. This novel transports you to Cussy Mary Carter's life. What a force... I have yet to read the sequel, but have heard from my literary friends that it is just as impactful and rich in its storytelling. It is in my stack for Summer reads!

Photo by Christina Cochran

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek: A Novel by Kim Michele Richardson

The Book Woman's Daughter: A Novel by Kim Michele Richardson

The Pack Horse Librarians of Eastern Kentucky

About the Content Creator:

Christina resides in her hometown of Franklin, Indiana. She studied Psychology and Studio Art at Franklin College and has since continued to grow in both painting and photography. Married with two handsome boys, you will often find her photographing landscapes and cityscapes, as well as creating watercolor illustrations. In addition to creating, she also enjoys reading and hiking with her family.