Environment Planet Earth Helen Musselwhite's Artwork Inspired by Nature By Chris Tackett Writer University of Kansas Chris Tackett is a writer and social media director in Brooklyn, NY. After 5 years at Treehugger, he's now with the Natural Resources Defense Council. our editorial process Twitter Twitter Chris Tackett Updated August 28, 2013 Share Twitter Pinterest Email Planet Earth Outdoors Weather Conservation British artist Helen Musselwhite does with a scalpel and paper what our minds do in a deep dream: build layer upon layer until something fantastic and otherworldly has been created. Many of her paper cut artworks are comforting and familiar, like her many forest scenes and portraits of woodland creatures, but she's equally capable of creating eerie or grotesque figures. 1 of 14 The Demons of Creativity credit: Helen Musselwhite This face depicts the Demon of Creativity, which Musselwhite presents in contrast to the Joy of Creativity. 2 of 14 The Joy of Creativity credit: Helen Musselwhite Musselwhite created the Joy/Demons of Creativity for Dance Gazette, the magazine of the Royal Academy of Dance. They were used to "illustrate an interview with Audrey Niffenegger about the ups and downs of the creative process." 3 of 14 Autumn Wood credit: Helen Musselwhite On her website, Musselwhite explains how nature gives her inspiration: As you’ll gather from my work, a lot of my inspiration comes from the British countryside. The beauty of it never ceases to amaze me and, happily, I’m well placed to observe it, living as I do just south of Manchester with one foot in the urban landscape and the other in the countryside. Walking my dog gives me the opportunity to see how my surroundings change from day to day – it’s an unending source of pleasure. 4 of 14 Green Wood credit: Helen Musselwhite From the Woodland Animals series 5 of 14 Wild Wood credit: Helen Musselwhite From the Woodland Animals series 6 of 14 The Ghosts of Love credit: Helen Musselwhite From the Ghosts series 7 of 14 Mother and Child credit: Helen Musselwhite From the Ghosts series 8 of 14 Ghost Owl credit: Helen Musselwhite From the Ghosts series 9 of 14 Ghost Foxes credit: Helen Musselwhite From the Ghosts series 10 of 14 Ghost Hare credit: Helen Musselwhite From the Ghosts series 11 of 14 Little Owl credit: Helen Musselwhite From the Woodland Animals series 12 of 14 Butterfly Ghosts credit: Helen Musselwhite From the Ghosts series 13 of 14 Woodland Deer credit: Helen Musselwhite From the Woodland Animals series 14 of 14 Ghost Hedgerow credit: Helen Musselwhite From the Ghosts series