There is a quiet magic that settles over Omaha in the winter. During winter break, I found myself inspired by this holiday magic within the neighborhoods of Dundee, Bemis Park & Fairacres.. the Christmas lights, Blow Molds, dusting of snow. I wanted to capture it all.
A few times during drives between play dates & running around, I pulled over to snap reference photos of particularly adorable homes. These serve as the starting point of my work. I don’t always use every photo but I gather as much inspiration as possible before sitting down to sketch.
I love this mint green home in Bemis Park. The photo doesn’t do justice to the charming Christmas decor in real life.
I could see the illustration in my head before my pencil touched the paper. But as I began to sketch, the inspiration took a very personal turn.
December 2025 marked our first Christmas in our new home, and I knew I had to memorialize it in this piece. Our house is the little brick ranch with the Christmas tree in the window. 
When I started sketching people and thinking of winter activities I could incorporate, I remembered a candid photo my husband snapped during a snow day. My son Shawn and I playing in the snow. ❄️ It fit perfectly into the scene.
I’ve titled this illustration "Stillness in the Snow" because in the rush of the holidays and the transition into a new home, it’s easy to get lost in the noise. My hope for this piece is that it represents the peace we can find in the winter months. It’s a reminder to slow down, cherish time with your family, and to be truly present in the quiet & stillness of the snow.
Sometimes, beauty really is all around us—we just have to pull over (safely!) and take a look.
Wishing you a Happy New Year full of things that inspire you, too.
warm regards,
Julia