Artist Creates Stunning Animal Portraits Using Only Leaves and Twigs She Finds in the Forest

John Summers • Contributor

Feb 8, 2025 11:00 PM EST

Some artists work with paint, some with clay—but Hannah Bullen-Ryner's medium is the forest itself. This remarkable artist gathers leaves, twigs, berries, and other natural materials to create breathtaking animal portraits that feel almost alive. Her creations are as delicate as they are detailed, blending seamlessly with the woodland surroundings where they are made. But unlike traditional art, her work is completely ephemeral—once completed, these intricate pieces are left to the elements, to be reclaimed by nature itself.

For Bullen-Ryner, this process isn't just about creating something beautiful; it's about collaborating with nature. "The forest provides my palette," she explains, noting how the seasons dictate her materials and the ever-changing colors of her work. She describes her outdoor workspace as a place of peace and connection, often visited by curious woodland creatures—including a wild robin that has befriended her, perching beside her as she creates.

Her stunning portraits capture the spirit of the wild, from birds and foxes to delicate butterflies, each carefully arranged from foraged materials. And while they may only last a short while before nature reclaims them, the beauty of her work endures through photography, allowing us all to appreciate the fleeting magic of art made entirely from the earth itself. You can purchase prints of her work at her Etsy page

Add as a preferred
source on Google

01

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
02

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
03

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
04

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
05

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
06

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
07

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
08

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
09

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
10

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
11

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
12

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
13

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
14

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
15

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
16

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
17

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
18

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
19

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
20

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
21

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
22

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
23

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
24

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
25

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
26

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
27

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
28

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
29

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
30

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
31

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
32

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner
33

via Hannah Bullen-Ryner

You can purchase prints of her work at her Etsy page

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Artist Creates Stunning Animal Portraits Using Only Leaves and Twigs She Finds in the Forest

Tags

Handpicked for You

{{title}}

Handpicked for You

{{title}}