A framed Little House Map

Painting Little House

Travel through the prairie with me and paint the world of Laura Ingalls. 

📗 Click HERE to browse over 40 Story Maps.

I’m so happy to share a behind-the-scenes look at how my Little House on the Prairie story map came to life. This one felt like opening the cabin door to sweeping golden fields, the scent of fresh bread, and the sound of the wind in the grass.

It all began with a well-loved copy of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books, a pencil sketch, and a warm cup of coffee enjoyed by the fireplace.

“It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.” -Pa

A framed Little House Map

Here’s what went into the design:

🚪 A layout that follows the Ingalls’ pioneer journey, from Walnut Grove to the Mansfield house. 

🪵 Watercolors inspired by weathered wood, prairie sunsets, and the soft browns of turned earth.

🌽 Hidden details like Almanzo’s calves, sugar snow, the creek where Laura and Mary play, and Pete and Patty tugging the wagon into the horizon.

Let’s step into a world where every day begins with the rising sun and ends under a quilt of stars. 

 

After noting down the places and moments I love from the stories, I begin mapping in my mind: the snug little cabin, the big sky above, the cornfield swaying in the wind, the riverbank for summer play, and the endless prairie stretching far beyond.

 

🖊️ Next, I use my architectural pen to refine my sketch. This pen is waterproof and creates beautiful lines for me to paint in later. Kind of like a watercolor coloring sheet! 

 

 

🎨 Now the painting begins! I spend a lot of time getting the colors right. When I say "right," I really just mean the way that I imagine the story. To me, Little House is reminiscent of pale yellows, wide sky blue, and the green-gold of summer fields.

 

 

🖌️ Let's paint! This part takes about two days. I let part of it dry, and I always like to study my painting on day two to see it with fresh eyes. I like to go in with new layers of paint to deepen hues and darken shadows to add dimension to the Little House. 

 

 

📚 Curl up in your favorite chair, much like Laura by the fire, and read passages that remind you that the prairie was more than a place. It was a test of spirit, a home to build, and a beauty to carry in your heart wherever you go.

 

 

 

➡️ Click HERE to view the finished map!

 

Whether you grew up with these stories or read them aloud now to little ones, I hope this map brings a bit of that quiet joy into your home.

Every piece tells a story, and I’m so grateful to share them with you.

⭐ Click HERE to see all Little House gifts. ⭐

 

Happy reading!

 

P.S. Would you like to paint Little House too? I've heard from a lot of you! 

If so, I have made Coloring Pages of Story Maps ready for watercolors, markers, or colored pencils. Great for adults to relax and color or share with a child, friend, or family member.

 

 

📖  Click HERE to browse over 40 Story Maps