Trail Skipper

Woman in outdoor gear crouching in a forest, taking a photo with a smartphone.
A woman in a bright yellow jacket and a floral skirt is standing on a grassy field, taking photos of a large tree with her camera.
A woman standing on a rock, smiling, with a backpack, in a forested outdoor setting near a river.

Hello, I’m Michelle, the artist behind Trail Skipper.

After years working in outdoor retail, restoration ecology, and software analytics, I transitioned to art full-time in 2023, combining my love of nature with my desire to create.

My work is inspired by real moments I encounter on hikes throughout the Pacific Northwest. Whether it’s a bird perched on a fence post, a leaf that catches my eye along the trail, or a fleeting wildlife encounter, I’m drawn to the small details that make the natural world so remarkable. I explore a range of techniques—including digital illustration, printmaking, and wood-based work—to translate those observations into art.

I believe art rooted in nature does more than decorate—it can ground us, inspire us, and foster a deeper connection to the world around us. Through greeting cards and paper goods, I hope to share those moments of wonder and encourage others to slow down, look closely, and connect with the natural world in their own lives.

Contact Me

My Process

A person using a heat gun to emboss a detailed image of a mountain and trees on a rubber stamp or printing plate.
Close-up of a black, textured object, possibly a musical instrument or equipment, with some wiring or strings on the surface.
An art print with black and white abstract designs placed on a wooden table with pink painter's tape around it and green furniture nearby.

Nature just astounds me—whether it’s a leaf that catches my eye on a hike, a small bird perched perfectly on a fence post, or a jay observing me with keen, curious eyes while I tend the garden.

Every Trail Skipper design begins with a real-world encounter. I spend a lot of time outdoors exploring trails throughout the Pacific Northwest, camera in hand, documenting wildlife, plants, and the small moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. Some observations fade quickly, while others stay with me and eventually become the foundation for a new piece.

Back in the studio, I transform those reference photos into original artwork using digital illustration. From there, a design may evolve into a detailed digital piece or be simplified into a block print that is transferred, carved, and printed by hand.

The final step is turning that artwork into greeting cards and paper goods. I love this format because it makes original art accessible, giftable, and easy to share—allowing a moment of connection with nature to travel from one person to another.

Prints of black and white illustrations of a bird's head with detailed feathers, mounted on paper and displayed on a rack
A white storage cabinet with multiple shelves, each holding black and white prints of a bird illustration.
A small bird with brown and white feathers, a yellow patch above its beak, perched on a moss-covered branch.
A small bird with brown and white feathers, a yellow patch above its beak, perched on a moss-covered branch.

The Golden-Crowned Sparrow

A sweet backyard visitor, spotted on January 3, 2024, in the frigid depths of winter. I was inspired by the Golden-crowned Sparrow’s quiet resilience and the bold streak of yellow atop its head. These charming birds bring life and warmth to an otherwise dreary winter landscape.

A painting depicting a bird perched among stylized plants and yellow flowers, with bold black and white line work and muted greens and browns.
Black and white woodcut print depicting a bird perched on a tree branch with surrounding branches and leaves.

The Golden-crowned Sparrow was the 2nd print design I ever made. Because I use oil-based ink when printing, I was able to add color with watercolor paint.

A person using a yellow pencil to trace a black and white print of a lion's face and mane on a beige wall. The print appears to be a woodcut or linocut style with bold lines. The print has the signature 'M. Becker' at the bottom.
A person with short brown hair and a navy blue jacket is kneeling on the floor and taking a picture of a framed artwork on the wall with a smartphone.
An artist creating a woodcut print of a lion's face, using black ink on paper, surrounded by painting tools and paper towels.
A framed black-and-white line drawing of a bird sitting on a branch, leaning against a brick fireplace, with a decorative lamp and plants nearby.
A small illustration of a bird sitting on a branch, surrounded by trees, with green foliage nearby, displayed on a wooden surface.

I later mounted a watercolor-painted print on a piece of reclaimed wood. The wood was harvested from a local elementary school library that was later demolished.

Even more exciting was a much-enlarged version of the Sparrow design. This upcycled canvas and frame was donated to a local school fundraiser.

Western Bluebird

While hiking the trail that winds around the edge of Stone Creek Golf Course in February 2024, I stopped in my tracks when I spotted these Western Bluebirds. Once abundant across western Oregon, they’ve become a rarer sight due to habitat loss and competition from invasive species like starlings. Their vivid blue feathers, rosy undersides, and soft pale bellies create a beautiful color palette.

A small bird with brown and blue feathers perched on a wooden post.
A small blue and brown American bird perched on rusty barbed wire attached to a weathered wooden fence post outdoors.
A small blue and brown American bird perched on rusty barbed wire attached to a weathered wooden fence post outdoors.
A black and white linocut print of a mountain landscape with tall pine trees and a bird perched on a branch in the foreground.
A black and white linocut print of a bird, likely a mountain bird, with a mountain and trees in the background, on a piece of white paper. Four colorful markers are laid out next to the paper on a wooden surface.
A stylized illustration of a bird perched on a tree stump with a mountain in the background, trees, and a sunset or sunrise sky with colored lines.

I later turned this design into “coloring cards”, with sales supporting Prescott Bluebird Recovery Project (prescottbluebird.com).

A black-capped chickadee perched on a pine branch, with blurred bokeh background.
A black-capped chickadee perched on a pine branch, with blurred bokeh background.

(My little) Chickadee

An incredible bird-filled hike in early March 2024 in Washington Park in Anacortes. Early spring in the Pacific Northwest is a sight to behold. My favorite of the hike - a curious Black-capped Chickadee perched above the trail, peering at me from the safety of an evergreen branch.

A close-up of a small bird with black, white, and brown feathers perched on a green pine branch with a blurred natural background.
A small brown and white bird perched on a branch in a natural setting with green blurred background.
A brown sparrow peeking out from a crevice of dark, rocky surface with moss.
A bird with a bright orange chest, black and white face markings, and black wings standing on grass with small twigs.
A bird with black, white, and brown feathers perched on a branch against a blurred background.
A black and white illustration of a bearded man's profile, on a card, with wooden objects and stones placed nearby.

One look at my wholesale gallery and you’ll see the heavy influence of this hike on my current work. For me, the little chickadee is one of my most fun and simple hand-printed card designs.