Stories of the Forest

‘In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.’

John Muir

What’s your favourite place to go to when you want to clear your head or have a moment for your self? I can imagine many of you would chose, just like me, to go to the forest. Although I also love being surrounded by wildflowers or walk in a blooming meadow.

I see the forest as a cathedral built out of trunks, branches and roots, painted in the most beautiful and various shades of green. The roof is a canopy of whirling leaves with dappled sunlight and tiny pieces of a blue heaven. There’s a choir of harmonious bird song and the whispers of the wind, the scent of moist soil and sometimes the sweet fragrance of a blooming flower. And above all there’s stillness.

When I return from a walk in the woods, I always feel refreshed, calm and inspired. I have room again to deal with the hustle and stress caused by the society we live in.

'And into the woods I go to lose my mind and to find my soul.’

John Muir

‘Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world'

John Muir

There’s definitely something special about walking in the woods. It’s well known that all the shades of green and different shapes and textures of nature are healing for our mind and body. In nature there’s place for all our emotions.

Research has shown that only 20 minutes in nature makes us healthier and happier. We’re made to be outside because we're part of nature. But in our current society we’re so far off what we are supposed to be and I have to admit that really concerns me.

It probably doesn’t come as a surprise that my fascination and wonder for nature inspires the work I make. So I have created a new collection about the forest. These ‘Stories of the Forest’ are a kind of miniature version of modern natural history.

This glass display is filled with tiny treasures from the woods in antique glass boxes and bottles which invite you to discover the small wonders and details to be found in the forest. Every little part is hand modelled with porcelain.

There are so many different types of moss and lichen growing on trees. Have you every noticed their amazing forms and colors?

The woods are one great organism which is connected and communicates with each other. Ferns, for example, are an essential part of the forest and grow in the more humid and shady corners.

I love making ferns in porcelain and use real ferns from my garden to imprint in the clay so one can really feel and see the delicate details. Just like in the forest, where you can touch and experience it with all your senses.

The forests are the lungs of our earth and are a wonderful but fragile ecosystem. By creating these ‘Stories of the Forest’, I want to focus on the beauty and diversity of the forest but also encourage people to take care of it so they won’t be destroyed for the future generations.

I’ve been reading the books of Peter Wohlleben about trees and the woods. It’s amazing to discover how, for example, tees can communicate with each other through hyphae. If you want to explore more about the forest, I highly recommend his books.

Why not enjoying a read under a giant tree in the woods on a summer’s day during your holiday?

I want to end this blogpost with one of my favourite quotes of John Muir because for me, the forest is one of those places:

'Everybody needs beauty, places to play in and pray in where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to the body and soul alike.'