About Dirt Canvas
Shaping Natural Spaces with Creativity and Intention
Founded in Boise, Dirt Canvas began as a quiet passion for artfully connecting people with nature. What started as one person’s backyard experiments with driftwood, stones, and wild plants has grown into a garden design practice rooted in personal connection, site-specific layouts, and deep seasonal awareness.
Our Founder’s Story — Jefree Thomas
Nature has always been my happy place. Growing up in North Lake Tahoe, my family struggled to keep me indoors—I was happiest by the lake, following animals along the Truckee River, or getting lost in the forest behind our house. I would find natural “rooms” in the wild and felt inspired to recreate that same sense of immersive, enhanced nature wherever I settled.
My mother played a profound role in shaping my love for the natural world. From a young age, she taught me how to see beauty in the simplest elements—rocks, driftwood, sticks, bones, even rusty treasures. She had a unique way of using these found materials to enhance the spaces around us, whether it was creating small garden features or decorating the yard. I remember us collecting bits of nature together and curating them to create a sense of place. Working side by side with her in the garden, I learned not just about plants and design, but about the importance of infusing creativity and intention into every space. This early connection to nature and art set the foundation for everything I do today.
Over time, friends and colleagues began noticing my creative touch and asked me to bring my love for nature into their gardens, potted arrangements, and wedding centerpieces. It was during this time that I found great inspiration in Kathryn Mathewson of Distinctive Gardens in San Jose, CA. She views landscapes as living art, and her work in the San Francisco Bay Area helped me realize that this same philosophy could thrive in the Treasure Valley.
As fate would have it, my husband grew up knowing Kathryn and spent his childhood wandering through her secret gardens, captivated by their magic. When we met, our shared love for nature and design brought us closer. He’s always been a huge supporter of my vision, constantly encouraging me to pursue my dreams—whether it was buying that new plant, moving that dirt, or collecting that perfect piece of driftwood. He’s the one who carried the heavy stones and built the garden.
Why Dirt Canvas?
- We specialize in Boise garden design that works with your home, not against it
- Our work focuses on dense planting, sustainability, and long-term garden growth
- Every project is shaped by the land’s natural contours—not a preset plan
- We work personally with homeowners in Boise and Garden City