Paint it green
In the hinterland of Northern New South Wales, a creative family is bringing a beloved eco brand back to life, crafting natural art supplies that are as kind to kids as they are to the planet.
In a world awash with plastic and preservatives, one art brand has re-emerged and returning to nature, one brushstroke at a time.
Now at the helm of Eco Art and Craft, Megan and Jake Lehmann, a household of off-grid makers, nature-lovers, and slow-living dreamers, are on a mission to reconnect children, families and educators with the Earth through safe, plant-based creativity.
“We live in the forest with muddy feet, curious hearts, and a deep respect for the land,” says Eco Art and Craft owner Megan.
“Eco Art and Craft has always stood for something pure, and we feel deeply honoured to continue that legacy, with our own gentle and grounded rhythm. Living off-grid with our children, we saw first-hand how mainstream craft supplies impacted our land, with paint water soaking into the grass, glitter washing into soil and glue-based slimes that never broke down.”
Each product, from vibrant finger paints to earthy crayons, is handcrafted in a solar-powered studio surrounded by towering gums and native birdsong. The product range includes eco paints, eco playdough, eco fizz, eco slime, eco volcano and eco glitter—all designed for children to create freely while caring for the earth. Inspired by the elements, their ingredients list reads more like a gardener’s journal than a manufacturer’s label: vegetables, roots, flowers, and seeds.
“There’s absolutely no greenwashing here,” says Megan. “Unlike many mainstream products labelled ‘non-toxic’ our ingredients are genuinely safe. We don’t use synthetic dyes, mica, titanium dioxide, or preservatives. Just plants, love, and a whole lot of intention.”
And the attention to detail doesn’t stop at the products. Eco Art and Craft considers the entire lifecycle of its materials, right down to the wrapping. The packaging it arrives in is just as thoughtfully designed: biodegradable or compostable containers, stickers made from compostable stock and printed with plant-based inks, and even the tape are selected so it can safely return to the earth.
The brand’s ethos is rooted in what they call a ‘seed to soil’ philosophy; art that begins with nature and can safety return to it. Every material is chosen with care, designed not just to spark imagination, but to leave no trace.
“Once the art is done, the journey isn’t over,” says Megan. “You can compost it, recycle it, repurpose it, or pass it on. It’s all about conscious creation and connection.”
