The Symbolic Art of Shinaut Designs - Hidden Language of Nature

Where hand-drawn illustration, naturalist reverence, and eco-conscious design meet

At Shinaut Designs, every illustration begins with a sketchbook, a quiet moment, and a deep respect for the world outside my studio window. From the delicate wings of native moths to the sweeping stance of a great blue heron, my work is inspired directly by the nature that surrounds me here on our farm in Murdock, Nebraska. It’s a place where prairie grasses whisper in the wind, frogs sing at dusk, and dragonflies flash like jewels in the summer sun—and it's where my art comes to life.

A Hand-Drawn Practice Rooted in Observation

Every illustration I create is entirely hand-drawn, using a digital stylus as a sketchbook. No clip art, AI, or shortcuts—just hours of intentional drawing and detailing. I work from real-life reference photos and moments I’ve observed around me: moths nestled in flowerbeds, frogs hopping through the garden, fish caught gliding just below the surface of a pond.

This process brings a grounded authenticity to my work. These aren’t generic interpretations of nature—they are specific, studied, and deeply personal. It’s what makes Shinaut Designs truly unique: each creature and plant is not just drawn as it is, but as it lives in my world.

A Style with Roots in Art Nouveau

Stylistically, my work draws heavily from the Art Nouveau movement—an artistic style that flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by flowing lines, organic shapes, and harmonious composition inspired by the natural world. Art Nouveau artists like Alphonse Mucha and Gustav Klimt sought to dissolve the boundary between fine art and design, bringing beauty into everyday life through symmetry, movement, and floral motifs.

Like those artists, I strive to create not just art, but art with purpose—art that feels both decorative and sacred. You’ll see that influence in the elegant arrangements of my botanical scenes, the soft curves of cattails and wings, and the balanced, almost ornamental compositions that echo a time when craft and beauty walked hand-in-hand.

Art with Purpose: Honoring Nature, Supporting Change

While I love the creative process, my deeper mission is to raise awareness for the beauty and fragility of Mother Nature. Every illustration is a love letter to the ecosystems we too often overlook—wetlands, prairies, ponds, and woodlands—rich with biodiversity and teeming with quiet life.

Through this work, I hope to inspire a deeper appreciation for the natural world, and channel that inspiration into tangible action. A portion of our profits go toward supporting wildlife conservation efforts and environmental charities—because illustration can be more than just visual; it can be a voice for change.

An Eco-Conscious Creative Studio

As an eco-friendly brand, sustainability is a core value in every step of our process. We’re committed to minimizing waste, avoiding plastic unless it’s reusable or recyclable, and choosing materials and partners that share our love for the planet. Every product is created with both quality and environmental impact in mind.

When you bring Shinaut Designs into your home, you’re not just getting a piece of art—you’re supporting a slow, mindful business rooted in sustainability, creativity, and conservation.

A Style All My Own

In a digital world filled with pre-made assets and generated art, my illustrations stand apart by being slow, intentional, and deeply place-based. I draw the frogs underfoot, the birds above my studio window, and the moths fluttering near the porch light. It’s this closeness to the subject matter—this lived connection—that makes the work feel alive.

Each design is meant to feel thoughtful, calm, and timeless—the kind of illustration that could live in a vintage field guide, a naturalist’s journal, or the pages of a beloved children’s book.

Bringing the Wild Home

You can find my illustrations on a wide range of thoughtful products— from art prints to greeting cards —each crafted to bring a sense of wonder, slowness, and awareness into your everyday.

Thank you for supporting small, sustainable, and heart-led art. Whether you're here to shop, explore, or simply take in the quiet joy of illustrated nature—I’m so glad you’ve found your way here.

— Written by Kylie Shinaut; Founder & Artist at Shinaut Designs — 

Art for those who love the wild, the handmade, and the heartfelt.