Nature-Inspired Art That Brings Joy to Every Stitch

Hannah is the creative force behind hawk+key, a design studio in Baltimore, Maryland. Now, before you think “Hawk + Key” sounds like a trendy coffee shop where owls sip cappuccinos (trust me, I’ve checked—no bird lattes there), it’s actually where her creativity takes flight. Her bold and colorful work draws inspiration from the natural world and, believe it or not, from dreams about an imaginary bird! Now, as a bird who dabbles in dreaming (mostly about endless supplies of thread), I can’t help but feel a little kindred spirit connection there.

One of my favorite pieces from Hannah is "Caravan." Imagine a bright, whimsical caravan surrounded by the lush greenery of summer. It’s like nature threw a party, and the RSVP was strictly “plants and vibrant colors only!” This delightful piece was born out of Hannah’s pandemic camping adventures. She says, “While the yellow sky and pink mountains may not represent reality for me, they capture the essence of that joyous experience where all colors feel a little bit brighter.” Sounds like my kind of adventure—though I do wonder, how do you pack a nest for a camping trip?

And then there’s "Echinacea," a stunning close-up of the mighty echinacea flower (a real power player in the world of plants, just ask anyone with a sniffle). Hannah’s goal was to capture the healing power of this beautiful bloom. She explains, “I wanted to give it a ‘larger than life’ quality to emphasize its strength.” Personally, I think this flower is like the superhero of the plant world—cape optional.

Oh! And don’t even get me started on "Potoo." If you’ve never seen a potoo bird, let me just say: picture a bird crossed with a Muppet, and you’ll understand why Hannah and I are both obsessed with it. This adorable little creature found its way into her daily sketches during a 365-day drawing challenge, and it has since become a star in her work. As Hannah puts it, “A fascination with these creatures was born,” and honestly, same! I mean, how could you not love a bird with Muppet eyes?

Hannah’s art is more than just pretty pictures. It’s filled with warmth, humor, and a love for nature that speaks to the soul—kind of like a needlepoint project, stitch by stitch, connecting us to something bigger. So, whether you’re working on a project featuring her nature-inspired designs, or you’re just here for the bird jokes, I think we can all agree: Hannah’s work is pure joy wrapped in vibrant color.