A Piece Of Oklahoma Adorns White House Tree

Ashli Sims, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- A piece of the Sooner State is decking the halls at the White House. A local artist brought Oklahoma's own brand of Christmas cheer to the nation's capital.

This year, her family Christmas tree isn't the only one Ronda Roush had a hand in decorating. She was picked to create an ornament for the White House Christmas tree.

"It's a big deal to represent your state, you just don't know. So I wanted to do the very best job that I could." Roush said.

Roush creates porcelain works of art, hand painting everything from sink basins to delicate Limoges boxes. Her handiwork can be found in the Governor's mansion and she's created gifts for vice-presidents, presidents, and even a queen.

But says she had humble beginnings.

"I started painting porcelain whenever I wanted some kitchen tile, in our very first years of marriage, that I could not afford," she said.

Titled "Oklahoma a National Treasure" her ornament is a globe that includes a gilded, diamond studded state of Oklahoma, sitting inside a Limoges treasure chest, settled amongst miniature rose rocks.

She has recruited some budding young artists from the Tulsa Girls Art School to decorate a second tree.

"I went with them a couple of days a week for about a month. And they work very fast. and they're very good," Roush said.

They're Oklahoma-themed ornaments are displayed on the state tree on the White House grounds. Every state was represented, but Roush thinks the Sooners outshined them all.

"I think I'm a little bit objective. Maybe not too much. But... ours looked pretty darn good. We had the best one? Yeah, I think we did,"

Artistry runs in the Roush family. Ronda's daughter, Lindsey, is a jeweler and she created the diamond-studded, brass Oklahoma that's featured in the ornament.

After Christmas, Roush's Oklahoma ornament will be sent to the national archives.

Ronda Roush Studios