Meet Jeri

The Artist...

On any given day you may find me seated at the old walnut table where my imagination comes to life on the paper before me. From here , I gaze out the window at the beautiful, lush and colorful green of the Tennessee hillside. I watch as Downy woodpeckers carve their names into the Mulberry tree, bouncing bunnies play leap frog thru the tall grass, and two of my Alpine goats, Opal and Pearl, butt heads in a funny little game. My imagination is fueled by the natural world around me and a slightly off- center sense of humor. My art is an odd combination of folk painting, illustration and realism. I am inspired by the artwork of many: Charles Wysocki, Norman Rockwell and Grandma Moses (for the America in me): the wonderful Beatrix Potter and Cecily Mary Barker (for my British ancestry ) and the marvelous illustrations of Dutch artist Anton Pieck ( for the Dutch side of my heritage) I have been utilizing the art of scherenschnitte, otherwise known as paper-cutting, for over 25 years as the basis of my artwork. The cutting offers a magnificent depth to a piece of art when combined with the medium of watercolor. My subject matter journeys from Early Americana, to the precision of European Scherenschnitte, to a fanciful world of critters dressed in pantaloons and petticoats. My new journey is into the world of children's books. My first book, "Hopalong Jack and the Blue Bunnies" is now in its fourth printing and was the winner of 2 International Book Awards. My second book will be released in early 2008. Having collected antique children's books for many years, I was inspired to write and illustrate my own series of stories.

Sasha, one of our five felines

I was Born in upstate New York, where my ancestors lived for over 200 years: I was raised in Colorado and made my way to beautiful rural northeastern Tennessee 17 years ago. Here on our farm, in a dear old house is where my imagination comes to life. Much of my work is nostalgic in nature because of my interest in 18th and 19th century life. Since our sons have all grown up and flown the coop, my husband and I share our farmstead with 5 cats, 2 dogs and a small herd of goats and sheep, ducks, geese and 2 fat Tom Turkeys. Our pets individual natures serve as models and humorous inspiration for my art. Now all I need is a little donkey, but we need a bigger barn! We were going to welcome a pair of Peacocks to our farm family..... until I found out they delight in eating flowers. As an avid gardener THIS is not permissible! So I got some happy ducks instead: THEY eat weeds and are quite comical.

I appreciate the animal world in all its infinite variety, and considered becoming a vet in my younger days I guess I AM something of a personal vet with all my farm animals. How dull this world would be without animals! History, old things, old art and old ways have had an influence on the type of art I create. I have loved to read and draw since I was a small child and spent countless hours studying the beautiful illustrations in our story books. It was wonderful getting lost in my favorite stories, "The Secret Garden", "Wind in the Willows" and a book which was handed down from my grandmother, to my mother to me,,,, "The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew". My sons were raised on the stories of Beatrix Potter and I could probably recite many of the lines in her books to this very day... with voices!( "Timmy Tiptoes, Timmy Tiptoes,,, Oh, where is Timmy Tiptoes!") This love for children's books and illustration has fueled my interest in creating story books.

As you travel through my web site, I hope you can see that I try to share my love of nature and animals, country-life, and that of traditional folk art. So welcome to theworld of my imagination. Thanks for visiting.

Jeri Landers

Home Sweet Home

This is Fiona my one-eyed goose.,

(This is her good side) Now you know where the expression "silly goose" comes from.

Gus and Woodrow, the security guards of the Barnyard.

Turkeys are actually quite beautiful once you get past the lumps and the bumps. Their colors are wonderful and they have proud personalities.

Visit the gardens....

Welcome to the farm.....here in Hopalong Hollow

Witness the beauty of this little corner of the world. All of "the girls" are pure pets, I spin the sheep's wool on a 200 year old spinning wheel, I am an amateur spinner but I enjoy it. I recently acquired an old loom but haven't had the time to become any good at weaving.... well. I did weave a very small placemat.

Meet Winston Topknot and his little wife Glenda, who is a prolific layer. Glenda's cousin ,Trudy WebbyToes, is one of the characters in the next book. We also have a lovely Jemima Puddleduck.