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Gnome by Another Name

© Virginia Marin

It all began in 1977, with the publication of what has become known as the bible on gnomes, that my love affair with these lovable little creatures began. But, for my regular readers, this is no secret.

Of all the little people, the chubby, lovable, dimpled-faced gnomes come the closest to our human idea of a collateral intelligent existence and behind every gnome there is a human who perpetuates his own love affair.

Lin Wellford, author, artist and photographer, is one such person who strives to insure a secure status for gnomes in our society as well as the body of folklore in general.

Mrs. Wellford grew up in Sarasota, Florida, where, during her elementary school days, she was drawn to the concept of these tiny beings. Drawing gnomes soon became a passion with her. As she grew, so did her collection. A logical sequence allowed for anecdotal accounts about finding and befriending these little folk and being invited to explore their world. It seems that all friends of the gnomes are prone to write their own accounts of these beings, who are at variance between benevolence and malevolence.

Lin now resides with her husband and children in the lovely Ozarks of Arkansas, surrounded by acres of pristine woods and mountains which provide the raw material and insipration for creating her gnome scenes as well as her lovely rock art creations.

A miniaturist at heart, Lin has created a "real to life" gnome habitat, in no other than a natural log! She then photographed her scenes through openings in the log's side. And what charming interiors they are! Although I do not have Lin's natural log home to show you, please enjoy this one as a lovely example of what can be done using natural material from our environment.

I am fortunate, indeed, to have been favored with several photographs of Lin's gnome home. Gnomes are quite cordial to humans, so let's step inside of hers:

This is the great room. All of the twig furniture was made by Lin for her little friends. The fire place and floor is grouted between limestone chips. On the mantel are objects of affection. Copper cooking utensils hang from all but the hint of a pin's head, while scattered on the floor are tiny woven rag rugs. One perspective shows the cutest little curtains which, of course, conceal a virtual sleeping alcove. (Gnomes who build their homes under ground or in tree trunks sleep in elevated quarters for protection from weasels, rats, or ferrets that may have escaped the polecat trap located just inside the "house" entrance.) A twig ladder provides access to these elevated quarters. But, for house gnomes, the male probably built a sturdy twig bed, for which his wife made a quilt and pillows, and a rag rug for the bedside.