My inspiration for creating art has always been intertwined with my love for the natural world - a reflection of the awe and respect I feel for the landscape I am fortunate to live in and the critters who inhabit it. It's the quiet magic of a walk in the woods, the gentle rustle of leaves, and the wonder of spotting a hidden critter.
In this always-busy-ever-changing world, I feel compelled to capture and preserve small quiet moments in time that nature offers. I find solace in creating pieces that invite a moment of quiet reflection. My Woodland Holiday collection is designed to bring that same sense of calm and gentle nostalgia, a little escape to simpler times and the enduring beauty of the natural world. It's about finding peace in the everyday, and the joy of collecting pieces that resonate with your soul - art that feels like home 🏡 .
Each piece has a story and is meant to be timeless.
🦉Owl. I hear the call of the Barred Owl all year long. They call to each other across the forest surrounding my home and it is a magical, fascinating sound. In the winter, when the trees are bare, I sometimes see one perched on the branches overlooking the yard.
🦇Bats are my favorite animal, and here I celebrate these often misunderstood creatures. This little bat, nestled among pines, captures the mystery and beauty of twilight in the woods, and a reminder of nature's intricate balance.
🐿️The scurrying of squirrels up and down trees, the crinkling of leaves on the forest floor as they run about…There’s a certain magic in watching wildlife, a connection to something wild and free.
Remember when the greatest adventure was exploring the woods behind your house? This playful squirrel is inspired by that feeling - a connection to the past and a reminder of the enduring beauty of the natural world.
🐻Bear, The biggest Woodland Holiday ornament in the collection. seems this guy had found himself a feast! Better in the berry bushes than in my compost bin… A bear knocked over our compost bin a couple times until I discovered the magic of a hearty sprinkle of cayenne pepper. Have you ever had a bear sighting in your neck of the woods? This cuddly one promises to behave and bring a touch of nature’s calm as he awaits a cozy place in your home 🧸
🪵🐦 Ruffed Grouse. We have a ruffed grouse who lives in the woods in front of the house. I frequently hear the drumming sound of its wings throughout the day. This past spring it had a family of 7 babies, and it made seeing them foraging about the yard all the sweeter. While they spend most of their time on the ground, during winter I see them frolicking in the tree branches. I created this ornament as a reminder that in the stillness of the woods, the wonders of nature are going on right outside our door.
🐦⬛ Crow. A familiar sight in many yards and forests, yet do we really give them much attention? Have you ever been in a place where it’s so quiet you can hear the flutter of their wings as they fly overhead? This is the kind of moment when you realize the power and majesty of these birds. This little crow is a nod to these often overlooked backyard visitors, and I am happy to welcome one into my collection. This crow looks content to have found itself a place to settle down in a bountiful crabapple tree.
🦨 Skunk. A rose by any other name….
This little skunk really is sweet!
I created this ornament to acknowledge the woodland animals who are often overlooked in typical ornament offerings. You’re welcome!😉
You may not see skunks, but you know they’re out there…this little cutie is doing its best to make its presence a pleasant one. I think it’s succeeding.
🦢 Swan. Graceful and serene, the swan reminds us of journeys and the beauty of the natural world, of a quiet moment by a tranquil lake.
I created this ornament to capture that feeling. (I also wanted to paint something to follow the curve of the wood slice!)
🦌 oh Deer! During the summer on many evenings, a young deer would routinely visit and make the rounds along the perimeter of the woods, stopping here and there for dinner. She did not appear afraid of me when I was nearby, and I would talk softly to her (yes I talk to the animals 😆) and she’d look at me with big curious eyes - and provided the inspiration for this Woodland Holiday ornament. Moments like these, when we have an opportunity to connect with nature, are truly magical.
🪿 Goose. One of my neighbors up the road has geese and their pen overlooks the hill I walk up, and oftentimes I am greeted by their wonderfully whimsical honks as I pass by. I created this one with their playful, curious nature in mind.
🦆Loon. Have you ever heard the haunting call of the loon on a quiet lake?
One of my favorite places on earth is a reservoir not far from my home. One of the reasons I love this beautiful, magical place so much is that I always see loons when we’re out in the canoe, and I hear them calling to each other across the expanse of the water. These birds are a symbol of grace, beauty, and wildness, and the inspiration for this ornament.
🐀 Vole/Mouse. Last year there was a vole population boom- there were SO MANY of them, even during the winter there were signs of them- and after the snow melted in the spring, they left their telltale trails of tunnels all over the yard. I was certain this summer was going to be just as bad but they just sort of went back to their usual levels. 🤷🏼♀️ . As frustrating as it was, now that they’ve resumes their normal routine, I felt inspired to give one of these little critters it own Woodland ornament. They’re actually kind of cute, really.
🪵 Groundhog /Woodchuck. how much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood… We had a resident groundhog who made himself a home in the rock wall in front of our house. I named him Rufus. Although he came close to the garden, he didn’t cause damage beyond munching on a few melon leaves. It was fun to watch him amble about and look at me through my studio window 🪟
Whether you call them woodchucks or groundhogs, one thing is certain- this woodland ornament will bring a little happiness to your home. I mean, look at that face!
🫎 Moose. The elusive moose. Not easy to find....but they're out there. I see their tracks along the side of my dirt road. I've seen the occasional newly-on-its-own young one trying to make its way in the world, but not a full-sized one.
This guy peeks out between pine branches, quietly assuring you he's there even if you don't see him. I created this woodland ornament as a reminder of nature's hidden surprises.
🦃 Wild Turkey. I frequently see wild turkeys foraging about the fields and even in my own yard, passing through disappearing into the vastness of the woods.
I created this ornament as a reminder of how nature allows us to roam wild and free.
🪶 Hermit Thrush. The Hermit Thrush’s lovely ethereal song floats on the wind through the forest. It’s one of the sounds I look forward to hearing after the long winter. It is also Vermont’s state bird.
🦔Porcupine. I saw one of these critters walk across the backyard for the first time this past summer. I got as close as it would let me because it was utterly fascinating to see. I created this ornament to celebrate the fact that nature is so cool!
🦫 Beavers are quite industrious little critters, changing the direction and flow of the river to make their homes. I sometimes see them in the early evening hours before the sun fully sets, floating by and quietly working away. Love them or not, it is impressive what they accomplish seemingly overnight and deserve some credit for their hard work. This ornament was created to give a little nod to nature’s wondrous ability to adapt and evolve.
🐿️ Chipmunk. In the quiet of the day, I hear the crinkling of dried leaves in the woods, and I often wonder, what is that I hear? More often than not it’s these little guys chasing each other around the trees. For some reason, they always sounds larger than they are.
From a simple slice of aspen wood to a tiny woodland critter ready to adorn your home. I have loved the process of bringing these little guys to life, capturing the spirit of the wildlife that inspires me. I hope you enjoy them too!