When I think of the holidays, I think of words like “tradition,” “heirloom,” and “magical.” Everything that pulls my attention has soul. Ancient rituals and folk tales swirl together this time of year and explode like a thousand stars, blanketing the world in enchanting cosmic dust and ushering forth a wintry dreamland, even here in Florida. 

Painting my first collection of Christmas ornaments, I wanted it to embody that surreal energy which is why I drew inspiration from the Old World. European folk art designs make even the most ordinary of objects seem like sacred totems. The decorative ornamentation keeps me endlessly entranced. My eye traces every detail like a repeated prayer coming together to make something extraordinary. When it came to painting Christmas ornaments I wanted to create treasures that had the same entrancing effect. Each ornament is a hand-painted exaltation of greenery and poppies celebrating the season designs that could have been inherited from your grandmother’s most precious tree-trimming treasures. 

This year, as I prepared for Christmas in our home after an unplanned hiatus, I needed to feel I was connecting with this ancient magic, as though the golden threads of time were pulling me back into their folds and I was a part of an unnamed ceremony bigger than myself. What I also felt I needed was peace. With this yearning, I decided to use that red Ornamental Poppy as the main flower featured in this year’s Christmas ornament collection. Getting lost in the twisting laurels and dark eyes of Poppies permitted me the peace that I crave and I think created a collection worthy among your heirlooms.

So, this year, I wish you peace and happiness.

From my home to yours.