Chipmunk Under the Sassafras: Finding a Whole World on the Forest Floor
Artist's Notes / New artwork
An entire world beneath the sassafras
Lately, I’ve found myself drawn down to the forest floor—the tiny details that most of us step over. I’m fascinated by what happens at that scale—ferns, mosses, mushrooms, coral fungi. I’m always chasing textures and colors in those hidden layers.
The chipmunk
Small, busy, and content in the moment
When I chose the chipmunk for this piece, it felt personal. In a way, I relate to it—small, a bit nervous, always thinking. But I also wanted to show that even a busy little chipmunk can pause and thrive in a gorgeous, abundant place—holding its nut, content in the moment.
Even a busy little chipmunk can pause and thrive in a gorgeous, abundant place.
For this artwork, I stepped beyond strict realism and used plum, teal, and coral more freely. Those colors are soothing to me, and I wanted the scene to feel calming but vibrant—alive, yet soothing.
A closer look
Four details from the forest floor
The chipmunk is only one life in the scene. Sassafras, vine, lichen, tiny mushrooms, moss, and weathered wood make the place around it feel abundant.
Rooted in memory
The three shapes of sassafras
The sassafras leaves overhead are a nod to my roots. Sassafras is a word from my childhood, and its three leaf shapes—simple, mitten, and three-lobed—are a natural wonder I’ve always loved.
The forest floor is filled with the mushrooms and mosses I’ve been identifying all summer in the national forest. They don’t just decorate—they’re part of that whole living world beneath our feet.
What I hope it carries
A feeling of belonging in nature
When someone hangs this piece, I hope they feel connected—maybe they love chipmunks, or maybe they want to bring a piece of the forest floor into their home. It’s a way to celebrate that abundance, color, and life in their space.
This artwork feels like a milestone for me. It’s where I fully embraced expressive colors and trusted my instincts. In doing so, I hope I’ve captured not just a chipmunk but a feeling of belonging in nature.
Lakehouse Goods
Live with the whole forest-floor world
Choose a wall tapestry for a soft, large piece on the wall, an Art Puzzle to spend time with the details at the table, or an archival matte Art Print to frame.
