Burrows, Branches, and a Bit of Sunshine
It’s been a little over a month since my last post. After getting taken out by the flu and then crawling across the finish line of the school year, I didn’t have much creative energy left. I needed some time to reset.
For the past four weeks (!), I’ve been up in the mountains with my kids, taking a very-much-needed step back from everyday life. It’s been such a gift to have slow mornings, lots of sunshine, and space to just be. The usual stuff like leaky faucets, a broken oven, and the ever-mysterious question of where the cat decided to pee this time is all waiting for me back home. But for now, I’m soaking up the last few days of peace before diving back into the chaos.
In the quiet, I’ve been chipping away at a new series of art that I’m really excited about. As I mentioned in my last blog post, it started as an idea centered around cozy underground burrows; those tucked-away spaces where animals curl up and hide. I was calling it the Burrow series... But as it’s evolved, the series has grown beyond just burrows. Now, it includes animals above ground too, and I discovered that everything actually revolves around a central tree. So, I’m thinking of renaming it the Tree of Life series.
For those eagle-eyed people who have noticed that the card-playing mice piece has been reworked slightly — you’re correct! Since all of the pieces in this series are intended to fit together like a puzzle, I needed to make a few tweaks to older art in order to better line up with the new.
For that reason, I’ll be holding off on making prints of this series until it’s complete. I’m really looking forward to the day that they’ll be ready to share in full.
I’ve finished two new pieces recently, and I’m sharing them below, as well as a look at how all of the pieces (so far) fit together! I’d love to hear what you think.
It feels good to be back.
Bunnies in the Burrow © 2025; The Tree of Life Series
Nestled beneath the roots of a grand tree, a mother and baby bunny share a cozy moment. Momma has drifted off to sleep, knitting needles still in hand and a pair of tiny socks in progress. Nearby, the baby bunny plays with toys in the warm glow of their underground nook, nose twitching with curiosity. The colors are muted earth tones—gentle mossy greens, honeyed browns—with small pops of sunshine in the flowers. The overall mood is one of tenderness and quiet companionship, inviting viewers into their sheltered world.
Hedgehog Gardener © 2025; The Tree of Life Series
A small hedgehog, dressed in tiny yellow rain boots, tends to a lush garden patch. Surrounded by bright red flowers and dappled light filtering through the trees, the hedgehog gently waters the blooms with a careful, caring expression. The palette is soft forest greens, gentle blues, and warm neutrals—a scene that feels like spring morning magic. This piece captures the spirit of nurturing, quiet growth, and the sweet delight of small creatures tending to the world around them.
Beginning to Fit the Puzzle Pieces Together!
And now, what I’ve been especially excited to show is how the puzzle is starting to come together! There are only three pieces completed so far, out of 12 total that I have envisioned, but already it’s starting to take shape. I didn’t realize it until I was working on the Hedgehog piece, but this series has so much nostalgia for me. One of the earliest art projects I can remember being proud of was a collection of flower drawings with visible roots under the ground. I was about six. I couldn’t have been the only kid who loved this idea of x-ray vision for underground life.
It feels like a full-circle moment to be creating something now that taps into that same childhood wonder.
Below is the puzzle so far! Have a peek!
Thanks so much for stopping by to catch up! Keep an eye out for upcoming additions to the series!
Storybook Illustrations and Whimsical Art
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