Hallmark Ornaments by Julia Lee

Julia Lee’s contribution to Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments is best understood through the variety of stories represented in the finished designs. The documented catalog contains 96 distinct designs dated 1983 through 1995. Especially visible are connections to Frosty Friends and Nostalgic Houses; together, those collections show an ability to move between recurring series expectations and one-year subjects.

Frosty Friends provides one of the clearest ways to follow the work; Nostalgic Houses highlights a different side of the portfolio; Ornaments such as 1983 Trimming Our Tree, Christmas Pewter Plate #7, 1991 Elephant, Carousel, Merry Miniatures, and 1992 Squirrels, Merry Miniatures mark useful points in the chronology. Seen as a group, the ornaments show an artist responding to many different briefs without losing the warmth expected from a holiday keepsake.