Gnomes belong to the clan of nomads that reside in the subterranean world of the earth’s underground. They are believed to be endowed with special talents which enable them to make a land prosper or wilt into barren fields that destroy crops and livestock. For this reason, farmers, in particular, believed in the power of the Gnomes and called on them for help.

Gnomes are based in Scandinavian folklore and are described as little people no bigger than a small child. Although Gnomes are smaller than an adult human, they are larger than many other supernatural creatures who wander the earth such as fairies, hobbits, elves, dwarfs, trolls, leprechauns, and the invisible community of the Vaette. In Norse culture, Gnomes are called Nisse. In Sweden, they are known as Tomte. The Scots have dubbed these creatures Brownie, and in Finland, they are referred to as Tonttu. But in America and parts of the western hemisphere, the term Gnome has been adopted.

The folklore surrounding Gnomes have inspired many artists over the years to put these creatures image into physical form on paper or as clay and wood figures. Their look is based on stories by such authors as Hans Christian Andersen, Astrid Lindgren and Jenny Nyström. You can regularly find Gnome Art at folk art fairs, craft shows, and some artists have even made their wares available in specialty shops where people can purchase figurines, paintings, post cards, and other items embossed with the image of Gnomes on them. The art is for the modern day Gnome enthusiast who enjoys such figures on their lawn or in their homes, and may even believe that Gnomes can restore unhealthy lands back to health.

Gnome artist, Maureen Carlson follows in the tradition of Gnome artists before her. She has crafted the Wee Folk Creations, which is a collection of figurines and artwork made in the image of Gnomes. She makes polymer clay figures with religious motifs such as the Sister Folk™ and Friar Folk™ . Other figures are of families which belong to The Pippsywoggins® and the Mug Dwellers™. These delightful characters can make any home feel warm and upbeat. Additionally, Maureen writes how-to-books on making crafts. Her latest book, Fairies, Gnomes And Trolls displays her own artwork on this subject matter and introduces audiences to her workshop in Minnesota.

Maureen and her husband, Dan have established the Maureen Carlson’s Center for Creative Arts in Jordan, Minnesota. The Center offers private art classes and retreats with internationally recognized instructors. The Center “is grounded in the belief that creativity is a doorway into self-discovery, personal and spiritual growth, and joyful living.” The facility is located just 35 miles southwest of Minneapolis, Minnesota and offers classes for Mixed Media artists, doll makers, sculptors, jewelry beaders, and storybook writers. The Center is a refurbished 19-century boarding house that sits on the banks of Sand Creek. It is near metropolitan attractions such as antique shops, meat and produce markets, and scenic walking paths.

Maureen’s attachment to Gnome Art began when she was a little girl growing up on a dairy farm in central Michigan. She spent hours wandering in the woods and fields, and digging in the garden groves. These experiences became the inspiration for the images that she put into her artwork drawing from nature’s colors, textures, and forms. As a child, she must have wandered, like other children, how a rock got its shape, why certain crops weather storms better than others, or how a patch of grass can grow between slabs of stone when no fertile ground is visible to the naked eye. The answers to these questions rest in the folklore of Gnomes. These creatures of the underground earth are believed to take care of all such matters related to nature and horticulture.

Gnomes are thought to be responsible for the growth and prosperity of one’s lands, but they also have a reputation for pulling pranks on humans. They come out at night when households are asleep. The pranksters in the clan include the “Pot Licker” Gnome, “The Door Slammer” Gnome, the “Sausage Snatcher” Gnome, the “Window Peeper” Gnome, and several others that take on the mischievous characteristics affiliated with trolls and leprechauns. Gnomes are believed to be the “soul” of the first inhabitants of a parcel of land or farm. They are the ones who cleared the lot to build a house on it, and their dwellings are in the “burial mounds” on the land. Gnomes are physically very strong and are believed to wear scholar caps, pointy hats that signify their level of intelligence. The highly educated ones are believed to wear hats that are more than half their own height. Going hatless meant that the Gnomes are untrustworthy and deceptive. The pointy caps are relatable to a Dunces Cap in English based cultures, which have the complete opposite meaning from that of the Gnome folk.

But one thing is shared by both the human race and Gnome folk and that is: If you take care of the earth, the earth will take care of you and your family. These are words to live by no matter what your species.

*Special thanks to Dusty from Green Sage Page for inspiring me to write this article.