Meet the Mother & Daughter-In-Law Duo Behind Homegrown Art Co.
What began as Sandy Whitaker’s idea to “paint with nature” by pressing flowers into art has blossomed into a family business. Joined by her daughter-in-law, Michelle Westmoreland, the Georgia-based duo now preserve and celebrate the beauty of Southern gardens. Image: Homegrown Art Co.
Editor’s note: September 25 is National Daughters’ Day! To celebrate, we’re highlighting mother-daughter duos who are collaborating to inspire the community and excel in business. Enjoy!
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Meet Sandy Whitaker, the self-taught artist behind Botanicals by Sandy, and her daughter-in-law, Michelle Westmoreland, the savvy mind behind its wholesale division, Homegrown Art Co. Working from Cartersville and Atlanta, this Georgia duo turns real botanicals into lasting artwork. Sandy “paints with nature” by growing, foraging, and pressing plants into stunning originals, while Michelle handles logistics and growth. Together, they’re a team that blends creativity, strategy, and deeply personal storytelling.
Sandy, have you always been an artist? What inspired you to work with botanicals?
Sandy: I’ve always been creative, but I don’t really consider myself an artist — it’s more of a craft. One person explained it best when she said that I “I paint with nature.” I’ve always loved house plants and gardening. After my four kids grew up and left home, I felt I was lacking a little bit of purpose.
Years ago, my husband and I went to Chattanooga for his 50th birthday and saw these gorgeous botanicals in a beautiful store named Revival. I wanted a set of 10 so badly, but they were $800 a piece!
I just decided I was going to make my own. I started researching, made them for gifts, and people began to encourage me. I put them in consignment shops and eventually did my first show … but what really started the ball rolling was doing Scott Antique Markets in Atlanta.
Can you walk us through your creative process?
Sandy: The first ones I wanted to get right — with a lot of trial and error— were the hydrangeas. They’ve always been my favorite. I remember my grandmother’s white shotgun house had a whole side covered in blue hydrangeas, and it’s just a wonderful memory for me. They were really tricky to press, but they’re still my bestseller.
I grow most of my pressings in my garden. If I’m not growing them, I’m foraging on the side of the road or in the woods. Right now is my crazy time; I’m in my studio cleaning out old pressings and putting away new ones.
I have all these cabinets with thin map drawers to store everything. Once I get past the major cleanout, I can focus on putting the pieces together, which is the fun part. I try to picture them as they are in nature and let the flowers speak for themselves.
Michelle, transitioning from years of teaching first graders to handling a wholesale business is no small feat. Tell us about your partnership with Sandy.
Michelle: It just seemed like the perfect fit. Her art is timeless, gorgeous, and everyone can appreciate it. I wanted to make it more approachable for everyone and handle the manufacturing and managerial side so she could focus on her originals. Luckily, my husband — her son — is a software engineer, so he handles all of our websites, which is incredible. It’s a family effort!
Are there any custom projects that have been particularly meaningful?
Sandy: I do a lot of funeral flowers and bridal bouquets. Both are very special to me. The funeral flowers make me feel connected; people will have me write a Bible verse or enclose a card used at the service.
I recently did a project for a family where two little boys had picked their favorite flower from their grandmother’s spray, and I made each of them their own little picture. When people move or a grandmother has passed, they’ll bring me a special hydrangea from her yard to press. It’s a lot of things that really mean something to people.
Michelle: She also did all the pressings for my wedding! Every table number and place card had a pressing on it. It was beautiful.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Michelle: I’ve found that the best thing you can do is surround yourself with people who inspire you and be willing to be vulnerable enough to ask for their help.
Sandy: You can’t give up! With any endeavor, you’re bound to run into obstacles. Figure out a way to go around them, through them, over them, or in a different direction altogether. And don’t let the fear of obstacles keep you from starting!
Finally, we always ask: What are three things you can’t live without?
Michelle: That’s quick for me: travel, our dachshund, Lola, and pasta!
Sandy: I get up a couple of hours before my husband every morning to sit on our back porch, drink my coffee, and watch the sun come up. I would not give that up. Also, my garden, of course. And finally, a purpose. I see myself working out there as an old, old lady. It is work, but it’s happy work.
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Anne Marie Hanna
An Ole Miss alum residing in Nashville, Anne Marie is passionate about telling the stories shaping the South. Outside of work, you’ll likely find her on a porch with a coffee and a good book, gardening, listening to music, or enjoying time with friends and family.