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Nature Is Everything! 18 Stunning Artworks by Hannah Bullen-Ryner

November 10, 2024
By Vidar

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In the quiet embrace of nature, artist Hannah Bullen-Ryner creates enchanting, ephemeral artworks that celebrate the beauty and fragility of the natural world.

With a keen eye for detail and a deep respect for the environment, she transforms fallen petals, delicate leaves, and tiny stones into expressive creatures and intricate mandalas, each piece thoughtfully arranged on the forest floor. In this collection, Hannah brings a vibrant cast of characters to life—a curious opossum, a vivid cardinal crafted from every red petal at hand, a graceful swan from fallen white blossoms, and even a playful octopus with swirling, petal-like tentacles. Her radiant mandala bird, framed by a halo of purple and pink petals, feels like a glimpse into a peaceful, otherworldly realm.

Captured only in photos before returning to the earth, Hannah’s work use the fleeting magic of everyday moments, encouraging us to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the natural world.

Hannah Bullen-Ryner: Instagram / Facebook / Etsy

1

An ephemeral natural art piece by Hannah Bullen-Ryner, inspired by Johannes Vermeer’s ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring.’ This piece, arranged directly on the ground, recreates the famous painting using organic materials such as vibrant blue petals for the headscarf, yellow and green plant elements for highlights, and twigs and dried leaves for facial features. The use of red petals adds a touch of color to the lips, while the soft, earthy texture of the background complements the organic materials, capturing the essence of Vermeer’s classic portrait in a fleeting, nature-based medium.

Hannah Bullen-Ryner Art: My ephemeral version of ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ by Johannes Vermeer. 

2

A delicate natural artwork by Hannah Bullen-Ryner, featuring two small Warblers and a Golden-crowned Kinglet crafted from organic materials. The birds are created with intricate details, using twigs, petals, and leaves for their feathers, with their eyes and beaks placed first to bring them to life. Surrounding the birds is a circular mosaic of blue-toned pebbles, adding a feeling of looking through a portal into another world. Each pebble, in varying shades of blue, was collected by the artist's parents from the beach, enhancing the piece’s connection to nature and family. The artwork’s circular composition invites the viewer into a momentary glimpse of this tiny avian scene.

Hannah Bullen-Ryner Art: Two little Warbler’s and a tiny Golden-crowned kinglet. I have always been drawn to circles around my work, it’s like looking into a little window into another world, or a portal, just for a moment. Even though it’s tiny, this piece took quite some time! I made the birds simultaneously, laying their eyes first and then all their beaks, and working my way out from there. I then built the blue pebble mosaic around them. (Tricky because ohh so delicate!) These tiny pebbles were collected by my parents at the beach.. they came to me as a mixed bag of wondrous colours and these are all the beautiful sea-blue tones.

3

A seahorse created by Hannah Bullen-Ryner using a collection of tiny natural materials arranged intricately on the ground. The seahorse’s body is crafted from a variety of small stones, pebbles, and colorful elements, including red, blue, and yellow petals, shells, and bits of organic debris. The mix of vibrant and earthy tones captures the delicate form of a seahorse with careful attention to detail. Each piece is purposefully selected, demonstrating the artist's meticulous search for materials and dedication to reusing and preserving her collection. This ephemeral artwork reveals the artist’s unique process, bringing a whimsical, miniature ocean creature to life in a natural setting.

Hannah Bullen-Ryner Art: Seahorse… People question how I can possibly find all these materials, but the answer is really very easy. My work is very, very small. I need very tiny ingredients and I am never not looking. I’m a magpie and have tiny pebbles and things constantly, in every single pocket. I also recycle elements over and over and over again. I store them in half coconut shells that I leave on site and cover with an old fence post. If petals have dried I dunk them in some water until they are workable again. Hopefully this gives you a bit more of an insight.

4

An ephemeral artwork by Hannah Bullen-Ryner depicting a Costa’s Hummingbird, crafted from wilted wild Crocus flowers and other natural materials. The hummingbird’s vibrant plumage is made from rich purple petals layered to resemble feathers, while delicate white and green elements form its wings and tail. The bird’s slender beak and eye are intricately detailed, capturing the essence of the tiny hummingbird against an earthy background. This temporary piece showcases the artist’s skill in using organic, fleeting elements to create a lifelike portrayal of the bird, emphasizing the beauty and fragility of nature.

Hannah Bullen-Ryner Art: Costa’s Hummingbird using wilted wild Crocus flowers.

5

An ephemeral artwork by Hannah Bullen-Ryner depicting a barn owl, crafted from a variety of natural materials arranged on the ground. The owl’s face features expressive eyes made from small stones and delicate details, capturing its curious gaze. Crushed chalk fragments form the owl’s soft white feathers, giving texture to its rounded face, while blue petals and other natural elements add depth to the plumage around its eyes. Twigs outline the head, framing the composition, and carefully selected rocks and petals bring this lifelike depiction to life. The organic materials enhance the artwork’s connection to nature, creating a momentary but enchanting portrayal of the barn owl.

Hannah Bullen-Ryner Art: Barn owl. I had so much fun bringing this little one to life. In the past I’ve struggled to get their sleek form right, but I had extra time today, and I am so pleased with how this turned out! I also had fun smashing up great lumps of chalk to create these tiny fragments, using a bigger, sharper rock, caveman styles.

6

An ephemeral artwork by Hannah Bullen-Ryner depicting a sea turtle, meticulously crafted from a variety of natural materials and a piece of found glass. The turtle’s body and flippers are formed from green leaves, small stones, seeds, and colored fragments, arranged on the ground to capture its shape and texture. The addition of blue petals and a piece of green glass adds color and dimension, while yellow moss and other organic elements highlight the turtle’s details. The composition celebrates the beauty of this marine creature, brought to life in a temporary, nature-inspired form, showing the artist’s dedication and patience in arranging each element over five hours.

Hannah Bullen-Ryner Art: Say hello to my little friend the Sea Turtle. This little guy took me around 5 hours! I included an old bit of found glass bottle in this piece alongside my natural elements.

7

An ephemeral artwork by Hannah Bullen-Ryner, depicting a white dove symbolizing peace, crafted from delicate natural materials in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The dove’s body is formed from white blossom petals, small feathers, and soft purple crocus petals, arranged carefully on the ground. Its eye is crafted with a dark stone, giving the bird a soulful expression. Beside the dove lies a small branch with white blossoms, enhancing the theme of peace and hope. The piece conveys a message of solidarity and compassion, capturing the fragility and beauty of peace in a fleeting, nature-inspired creation.

Hannah Bullen-Ryner Art: In response the atrocities going on in Ukraine right now, my white Dove of peace made from white blossom flowers, small white feathers and wilted Crocus petals. May it fly on the breeze and reach those who so desperately need it.

8

An ephemeral artwork by Hannah Bullen-Ryner portraying a gentle wolf, crafted from natural materials arranged on the ground. The wolf’s face is intricately detailed with small stones, feathers, and flower petals in shades of blue, white, and soft earth tones, creating a calming and kind expression. Its soulful eyes are crafted from dark stones and surrounded by delicate textures, capturing a sense of wisdom and tranquility. The combination of organic elements brings this soothing portrayal to life, reflecting the artist’s intent to create a piece that conveys calm and healing.

Hannah Bullen-Ryner Art: Kind and gentle Wolf to calm, soothe and heal. May he find you where you are.

9

An ephemeral artwork by Hannah Bullen-Ryner depicting a young lynx with a positive and hopeful expression, crafted from natural materials on the ground. The lynx’s face features bright yellow eyes made from small stones, surrounded by carefully arranged leaves, grasses, and petals that form its ears, whiskers, and fur. The organic elements, including tiny white flowers near the nose, add a touch of innocence and charm. Soft earthy tones, combined with hints of green and purple, bring this expressive, youthful lynx to life, capturing a sense of optimism and vitality in a fleeting, nature-inspired form.

Hannah Bullen-Ryner Art: A positive and hopeful young Lynx.

10

An ephemeral artwork by Hannah Bullen-Ryner depicting a leopard, crafted from an array of natural materials arranged on the ground. The leopard’s face is intricately detailed, with a striking green eye made from a small leaf or stone, and surrounding elements of yellow and orange flowers to represent the fur’s vibrant spots. Twigs, seeds, and stones form the facial structure, while delicate petals and tiny shells add texture and dimension. The organic materials come together to capture the leopard’s fierce yet gentle expression, showcasing the artist’s skill in creating lifelike representations from nature’s ephemeral elements.

Hannah Bullen-Ryner Art: Meet my little Leopard friend

11

An ephemeral artwork by Hannah Bullen-Ryner depicting an octopus, crafted from vibrant natural materials arranged on the ground. The octopus’s body is formed from small stones, shells, and colorful petals, predominantly in red, yellow, and orange hues. Long, flowing tentacles extend outward, made from petal strips that swirl organically, reflecting the movement of the sea. This piece was created under windy conditions, making it a playful collaboration with nature, as noted by the artist. The materials, including flowers and gravel borrowed from the artist’s parents’ garden, bring life and texture to this whimsical and fleeting marine creature.

Hannah Bullen-Ryner Art: Octopus. She’s far from perfect because I made her in just under two hours, and the wind, oh the wind! We had fun Mother Nature and little ol’ me, arranging and rearranging the tentacles. In the end this is our collaborative effort! Made predominantly using flowers *borrowed* from my parents garden, and tiny pebbles and shell fragments picked out from their gravel!

12

An ephemeral artwork by Hannah Bullen-Ryner depicting a baby elephant, crafted from an assortment of natural materials laid on the ground. The elephant’s form is created using small stones, twigs, and pebbles in shades of blue, gray, and white, carefully arranged to capture the gentle contours of its body and upturned trunk. The artist has included a dark stone to highlight the elephant’s eye, adding a lifelike touch to the figure. The use of cool tones and earthy textures reflects the strength and grace of this young elephant, brought to life through a temporary yet charming arrangement of organic elements.

Hannah Bullen-Ryner Art: Baby Elephant.

13

An ephemeral artwork by Hannah Bullen-Ryner depicting a vibrant male cardinal, crafted from an assortment of red natural materials arranged on the ground. The cardinal’s body and crest are formed from bright red berries and petals, with darker elements used for the eye, beak, and tail feathers, capturing the bird’s distinct features. A few twigs frame the bird, adding a delicate outline. The artist creatively used every scrap of red material available, bringing this lively cardinal to life in a temporary, nature-inspired form. The artwork showcases the beauty of the cardinal in a whimsical, fleeting composition.

Hannah Bullen-Ryner Art: Male Cardinal. Did I specifically know I was going to make a Cardinal today? No.. Did I gather lots of red things? Also no. Did I therefore have to use every single scrap of red I had hanging around in my coconut bowls? Um yes! I genuinely don’t know why I do this to myself but hey! I love him! Perhaps he came to visit you?

14

An ephemeral artwork by Hannah Bullen-Ryner depicting a graceful swan, crafted from natural materials arranged on the ground. The swan’s elegant neck and head are formed from white petals, small flowers, and other foraged materials that create a soft, feathered texture. Its orange beak is created using vibrant petals gifted from a fallen supermarket flower display, adding a splash of color to the otherwise white composition. A dark stone or seed captures the swan's eye, bringing a lifelike quality to the bird's serene expression. This temporary piece showcases the artist's skill in using minimal resources to evoke the beauty and elegance of a swan in nature.

Hannah Bullen-Ryner Art: My first ever ephemeral Swan… I was gifted one orange and three white cut flowers from my local supermarket that had fallen from a display, so I used a few orange petals for the beak and the white petals along some parts of the neck.. everything else is foraged as usual.

15

An ephemeral artwork by Hannah Bullen-Ryner depicting a tiny Bluetit, crafted from natural materials arranged on the ground. The bird’s body features a vibrant, mossy green and yellow "tummy," representing the distinctive colors of a Bluetit, while its head is formed from white and blue petals. A small black stone creates a sparkling eye, capturing the bird’s lively expression. Perched on a twig covered in lichen, the Bluetit is delicately assembled, with each feather hinted at through small leaves and petals. This piece is a symbol of love and hope, dedicated to those affected by war, showcasing nature’s beauty and resilience.

Hannah Bullen-Ryner Art: One of my all time favourite birds found here in the UK, the tiny Bluetit. Made here, with a mossy and lichen-y tummy and a sparkle in their eye. Continuing to send out a message of love and hope to all those suffering at the hands of war.

16

An ephemeral artwork by Hannah Bullen-Ryner depicting a fluffy, small bird, crafted spontaneously from natural materials on the ground. The bird's soft, feathery body is created with delicate white petals, fuzzy seed pods, and small stones, giving it a downy appearance. A dark, shiny stone forms the eye, surrounded by tiny leaves and blooms, capturing the gentle, inquisitive look of the bird. Perched on a lichen-covered twig with scattered blossoms nearby, this piece radiates warmth and charm, showing the artist’s intuitive approach in a short, free-flowing session. The result is a heartwarming, whimsical bird that brings a smile to the viewer.

Hannah Bullen-Ryner Art: Today I only had around 45 minutes to make some art so I just free-flowed like I used to, no reference pics, just me and the elements.. and this little fluffy appeared and made me smile..

17

An ephemeral artwork by Hannah Bullen-Ryner depicting a tiny, baby opossum crafted from natural materials arranged on the ground. The opossum’s face is charmingly detailed with shiny dark stones for eyes, a small pink petal for the nose, and light-colored leaves and feathers for fur. The creature clings to a twig, with its tiny “paws” made from pink petals, adding a playful, endearing touch. Surrounding greenery frames the piece, enhancing the woodland ambiance. This creation captures the innocence and sweetness of a baby opossum, crafted in a temporary, nature-inspired form that seems ready to be carried away in a pocket.

Hannah Bullen-Ryner Art: Meet my tiny, baby Opossum friend. So cute I really wanted to take her home in my pocket! Thank you for the recommendation to make one of these beautiful souls! While I created her (sitting on the woodland floor) I made friends with a Magpie who got brave enough to come within about two feet of me to collect some yummy pellets I had put down. A family of Long tails chirruped in the branches above, and naturally, my trusty friend the Robin stayed close by keeping me company.

18

A vibrant ephemeral artwork by Hannah Bullen-Ryner, depicting a stylized bird surrounded by a circular, mandala-like arrangement of colorful petals. The bird is crafted from various natural materials, with its body formed from green leaves, ferns, and small pine needles, while an acorn cap or stone creates its eye. Surrounding the bird, bright pink and purple petals are arranged in a radiant circular pattern, accented by small red and green buds at the edges, creating a striking contrast against the earthy ground. This composition highlights the artist’s intricate layering and vibrant color choices, celebrating nature’s beauty in a harmonious, temporary form.

Hannah Bullen-Ryner Art: Our energy doesn’t stop neatly at the boundary of our skin, we are each a glowing galaxy of light that radiates within and around our physical bodies. Our skin cannot contain us.

What do you think about the art by Hannah Bullen-Ryner? Do you have a favorite?

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12 Comments

  3. Wow ….the sight of it just makes you stop & look at for awhile.

    Reply
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