My card illustrations started quite by accident one Christmas in Norway. I was staying with my daughter and her family near the town of Steinkjer in Norse Trondelag. Some of you may know about the Norwegian Christmas tradition of Nisser, or gnomes. These quirky, elf-like characters appear in Scandinavian stores and homes during the holiday season.

I was quite taken with their whimsical red hats, long, shaggy beards and impish attitudes. The NIsser come in all sizes and shapes: from giant stuffed toys to small figurines. They are often inscribed on cards, cups, wallhangings—you name it. During the holidays, the cheery little fellas fly off the store shelves. Almost everyone in Norway has at least one Nisse in their home.

For my son-in-law’s mother, Aase, I purchased a pre-matted frame and painted a delightful little illustration of the Nisser (HI HO) for her. This was so much fun I painted another one and another and another until I had twelve original illustrations. Voilá, an entire card line!

To this day, the Nisser card line sells well. People often buy multiples and frame them. The Nisser success carried me forward into two other card lines: The Fair series and, most recently, a new line consisting of four fanciful frogs. All my cards are illustrated with watercolor, some include pen and ink. Enjoy!

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