Trimming the tree with woodland friends. All is calm and all is bright. Merry Christmas, and may “God Bless us, every one”!!
The Nutcracker
Ever since I was little, I used to play Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet on loop all the year through… Things haven’t changed much since then.
Little Drummer Boy
Little Drummer Boy
A tribute to one of my all time favorite Christmas songs… May we always offer the best of ourselves, and that our gift would be received with warm hearts and gratitude.
“I played my drum for him
Pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for him
Pa rum pum pum pum,
Rum pum pum pum,
Rum pum pum pumThen he smiled at me
Pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum”-The Little Drummer Boy
St Lucia
St. Lucia
Kindness & Cocoa
Kindness & Cocoa
This thoughtful little boy is offering a friendly snowman a cup of kindness in the form of hot chocolate. And the snowman is almost considering it, even though it may come with some consequences... it IS hot chocolate after all! And you can hardly refuse such a sweet face.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
This event is always the official start to Thanksgiving morning and the holiday season! There’s nothing better than spending time with those you cherish most watching giant balloons, cheerful clowns, confectionery floats and ending with Mr. C. himself.
Macy’s, I do indeed BELIEVE!
Warm Wishes From a Snowman
Warm Wishes From a Snowman watercolor on paper
Just one of the friendly faces you might meet if you happen to go a-walkin' in a winter wonderland!
And so like this frosty gentleman, we are tipping our hearts to the old year, thankful for sharing in its joys and days, and greeting the new year at the same time, hoping to be dear friends soon! For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne
Peace on Earth
Peace on Earth 9"x12" watercolor on paper
This slightly dishelved angel must have had quite an adventure when her kitty decided to take an unexpected role in the Christmas Pageant! But she's still ready to play her part, and as they say, the show must go on!
Merry Christmas my dears!!
The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker watercolor on paper
You may be familiar with the magical story of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker ballet. In my version however they are happily dancing together- and the Rat King certainly appears a bit more mouse-y.
The Christmas Pageant
The Christmas Pageant watercolor on paper
The cast of the children's Christmas Pageant has two unlikely roles who are the best of friends. Peace on earth truly resides over all at this magical time of year! This is when the lion and the lamb truly come together.
Are you beginning to feel the Christmas spirit yet? It has taken me over, from the tips of my toes to the top of my head!
The Key to my Heart
The Key to My Heart 7"x7" watercolor on paper
This little bird lass holds they key to her own heart in her beak, exposing it, vulnerable to give away to a sweet love bird. There are many different keys that open many different locks, unlocking someone's heart is the most precious treasure of all.
Miracle on 34th Street
Miracle on 34th Street watercolor on paper
🎄🎥 There's nothing quite like cozying up to a favorite holiday film, and seeing what feels like an old friend who only comes to visit once a year. This is my newest illustration and interpretation of the classic scene at the end of Miracle on 34th Street. And here are the flicks that made it to my personal top five favorites:
✨ 5. "Rudolph" ✨4. "It's a Wonderful Life" ✨ 3. "The Nutcracker" with Elle Fanning ✨2. "The Polar Express" ✨ 1. "Muppet Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens ✨
And of course I love Miracle on 34th Street, in its charming and magical black and white cinematography!! 🍬🎅
Santa's Little Helpers
Santa's Little Helpers watercolor & ink on paper
The right jolly old elf has some eager little helpers. They're hard at work on a special Christmas toy. Making some finishing touches on this toy elephant before packing it onto the sleigh for the big day.
The Caroling Troupe
"The Caroling Troupe" watercolor & ink on paper
Spreading some much needed holiday cheer in a forest near you.
Fox Mitten
Fox Mitten 7"x7" watercolor on paper
This little guy wraps up my series, Smitten with the Mitten. It's probably no secret, owing to my deep love of foxes, that this is the painting I am the most smitten with in this set. Gingerbread men dancing above his head, and soon sugar plums will be dancing in our dreams and hearts.
We're getting so close to Christmas, I can barely stand it! The jolly old elf himself is probably making his list, soon it will be getting checked twice, cross your fingers that you make the list. I know this little fox has most certainly been good all year, he's a definite add to the nice list, if you want my recommendation Santa!
Bear Mitten
Bear Mitten 7"x7" watercolor on paper
Our bear friend has quite a large sweet tooth, he's a gentle giant and will never turn down an opportunity for candy. He's one of my favorites from my series Smitten with the Mitten.
Confession: I'm a bit jealous of his red mittens, and I'll admit that I wish they were real so I could snatch up a pair for myself! I can picture a jolly elf sporting a set of those mittens as well.
Deer Mitten
Deer Mitten 7"x7" watercolor on paper
Next in line of my series Smitten with the Mitten, is this little deer. Those big ears of hers are just right to hear the ringing of bells from Santa's sleigh. She may not be a reindeer, but she has some Christmas bells of her own.
Her favorite song is Silver Bells. Here's a few lines in case you'd like to sing along:
Silver bells, (silver bells) silver bells (silver bells)
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, (ring-a-ling)
Hear them ring, (hear them ring)
Soon it will be Christmas day
Bunny Mitten
Bunny Mitten 7"x7" watercolor on paper
The beginning of a little set of animals with Scandinavian mittens. I almost want to knit a few sets of these myself to supply our woodland friends with some winter warmth.
The first installment of four knitted friends, in my series Smitten with the Mitten. These little woodland critters will be helping us count down the weeks to Christmas!
Visions of Sugar Plums : Hand Painted Christmas Ornaments
My original set, Visions of Sugar Plums, is still available in my shop for a limited time if you want to buy an original piece of my art. The ornaments available in the series are:
Hop over to my shop to make these a part of your holiday decorating and let them help you celebrate a woodland Christmas for years to come!
Visions of Sugar Plums: Jackalope #1 (ornament)
Visions of Sugar Plums: Jackalope #1 gouache and acrylic on glass
What is more wonderful than a bit of make-believe and magic at Christmas time! And so I couldn't help but paint a Jackalope, which is just a beautiful and magical creature. I am painting three original Christmas ornaments and calling the set Visions of Sugar Plums.
- This second one I am offering is a woodland Jackalope, a mythical creature, painted in Scandinavian color palette, acrylic and gouache on a glass globe. Each ornament comes ready to hang from your special tree with a gold ribbon, and arrives with it's own cardboard box for storing and display. Each ornament is hand-painted by me, Gretchen Ellen Powers, and is completely unique and one of a kind. I am asking only $100 a piece for them + S & H. Available for a limited time only in my shop.
These would be the perfect decoration to help you trim your tree, and deck your merry halls!