Six Little Somethings: A Hidden Thread in the PA Wilds Posters
When you first see the PA Wilds Collaborative letterpress poster series, you might be drawn to the sweeping landscapes, the quiet details of native wildlife, or the contrast of inkwork and the debossed textures pressed into paper. But tucked within each design is a secret waiting to be discovered — a quiet riddle of repetition, a pattern with purpose.
Each of the six posters contains a hidden element repeated six times. Sometimes they’re nestled in plain sight. Other times, they require a second look. These “six little somethings” are my subtle nod to the idea that every landscape in the Pennsylvania Wilds is one of six — a unique part of a greater whole.
A Hidden Layer of Meaning
Whenever I create commissioned artwork, I look for ways to make it deeply personal — the family cat peering out of the window, a favorite flower, a date woven into branches. It’s my way of honoring the people or places the artwork represents. So when I set out to illustrate the six PA Wilds landscapes, I knew I wanted to do the same.
Each poster was designed to feel like a moment of real observation — not just a scenic view, but an encounter. A stepping-into. One scene places you at the edge of a forest, stepping out into a clearing just as an elk lifts its head to meet your gaze. Another invites you to duck beneath a low-hanging hemlock bough, where moonlight dances on a stream beneath the star-filled skies of Cherry Springs. You might find yourself standing at a vista point above the PA Grand Canyon, or pausing near wetlands to watch waterfowl glide effortlessly.
These shifting viewpoints are intentional. I wanted each illustration to feel like a breath held — that fleeting moment when you notice something stirring and feel yourself part of the landscape, not separate from it.
Within these scenes, I’ve tucked what I call the “six little somethings” — a repeated element woven quietly into each design. Six owls. Six bees. Six birds. A quiet riddle, a visual thread tying all six landscapes together.
A Peek into the Forest
In the Cook Forest and the Ancients poster, six owls perch and glide among the towering hemlocks. One is mid-flight, another peers from a hollow, another balances high on a branch. They aren't obvious at first glance — which mirrors how owls move in real life: silently, tucked into the hush. I wanted the scene to feel immersive, as if you’re standing in the forest, looking up into the canopy, catching a flicker of movement and realizing you’re not alone.
Each landscape holds its own hidden six — some easy to spot, others more subtle. It’s a small invitation to slow down, to look again, and to notice.
Your Turn
I invite you to take a look. Can you spot the six dragonflies? The six honeybees? The six birds?
Whether you’re seeing these art prints in a Conservation Shop or hanging one in your home, take a moment to explore. And if you find all six sets of six, you’ve earned bragging rights as an official trained observer of the PA Wilds.
Tag your favorite find using #SixLittleSomethings — but try not to give all the secrets away. Some discoveries are best made in quiet moments, surrounded by trees, stars, and the spirit of wonder.
