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Gretchen Ellen Powers

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The Many Flavors of Friendship

August 12, 2020

“The Many Flavors of Friendship”

Friends come in many flavors, but each one is just as sweet! Here a happy lineup of friends, a furry friend, and some serious sweet tooth indulgence… Making for the perfect “Ice cream social butterflies”

“A friend loves at all times.” Proverbs 17:17

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags summer, ice cream, friendship, community, summer fun, fun, outdoors, sweet, sweet tooth, art, artsy, artist, artwork, kidlitart, kid lit, kidlit, kid lit art, diversity, kids, nursery, children, friend, friends, food, foodie, treats, cute, summertime, illustration, illustrated, illustrate, illustrations, illustrator, artists, watercolor, drawing, painting, original artwork
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A Little Help From Your Friends

January 6, 2019

Here’s to a new year, and to those near and dear, who help us reach our aspirations, goals and dreams!

Happy Twenty Nineteen, everyone!

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags 2019, new year, kids, cute, dog, puppy, hound, hound dog, animals, pets, illustration, little help from your friends, friends, friend, man's best friend, best friends, bff, friendship, snow, winter, illustrator, illo, picture book, kid lit, kid lit art, kidlitart, art, artist, creative, character, design, nature, whimsy, graphic design
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Kindness & Cocoa

December 12, 2018

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.

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags snowman, snow, winter, December, holiday, cocoa, chocolate, hot chocolate, hot cocoa, warmth, kindness, love, friend, friendship, calm, all is calm, illo, illustration, kid lit, kid lit art, kidlitart, children's illustration, painting, illo advent, advent, countdown to Christmas, Christmas Countdown, cacao, vegan, food, foodie, yummy, winter wonderland, frosty, frosty the snowman, woodland, nature, kids, cute, quirky, kind, happy, traditional art, Christmas, Merry Christmas, Happy Christmas, holidays, Happy Holidays
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The Afternoon Safari

July 27, 2018

"The Afternoon Safari"

A girl and her dog spending the afternoon in a safari hunt. With a little imagination, the houseplants become a jungle, and the family cat has no idea what he's in for. 

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags imagination, adventure, fun, play, imagine, believe, africa, jungle, lion, cat, kitten, kitty, dog, puppy, pets, pretend, pretending, playing, houseplants, plants, make believe, dreaming, having fun, kids, girl, children, kid lit, kid lit art, kidlit, kidlitart, illustration, illo, Children's Art, children's illustration, illustrator, art, artwork, picture book illustrator, picture book, picture book artist, creative, design, character, character design, watercolor, painting, drawing, childrens illustration, jungle safari, Gretchen Ellen Powers, Gretchen E Powers, Gretchen Powers, tugeau 2, Tugeau2, Nicole Tugeau, irish wolfhound, hound, hound dog, big dog, friends, friend, friendship, the thrill of the hunt, nature, ferns, succulents, plant, interior
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Friend Ship

April 30, 2018

Friend Ship   watercolor on paper

Even when sailing through stormy weather and rough waters, the Friend Ship holds fast and strong!

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags boat, children's book, children's book week, children's books, kid lit, kid lit art, kidlit, kidlitart, illustration, illustrator, painting, water, sea, ocean, nautical, sailor, kids, children, sailing, pelican, bird, ship, boats, fish, fishing, whale, storm, we're all in the same boat, illo, creative, drawing, watercolor, watercolour, watercolors, paint, art, artist, artwork, original, original art, fantasy, fairy tale, fairytale, story, storybook, children's illustration, children's art, book, books, literature, read, reading, kids book, book week, school, school library, school library journal, Gretchen Ellen Powers, Gretchen E Powers, Gretchen Powers, slj, April, April Showers, spring, cute, sweet, rustic, vintage, book worm, friendship, team work, working, work, working together, happy, fun, imagination, friends, friend, friend ship, Friendship, surreal, sea faring, captain, newspaper, news, the friend ship, quirky, watercolor illustration, draw, studio, childrens book week, one world many stories, world, adventure, adventures, library, reader

Warm Wishes From a Snowman

December 31, 2017

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

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags winter, December, snow, snowman, cute, friends, hello, friendly, friendship, watercolor, watercolour, watercolors, painting, paint, art, artwork, nature, woodland, greeting, season's greetings, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, 2018, twenty eighteen, happy new year, new, year, happy Christmas, merry Christmas, drawing, drawings, draw draw draw, draw, artist, illustration, illustrator, illustrated, kid lit art, kid lit, kidlit, kidlitart, surreal, fairy tale, frosty, snow man, frosty the snowman, magic, magical, enchanted, winter wonderland, wonderland, fun, new friends, friend, red, white, Christmas, merry christmas, happy, merry, design, character, salutations, paper, original, original art, fantasy, fantasy art, kids, children, children's illustration, children's art, sweet, floral, snowflake, hello 2018, newyear, making new friends, winter break, walking in a winter wonderland, whimsy, whimsical, new year, new years eve, 2017, auld lang syne
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Peace on Earth

December 22, 2017

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!!

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags Christmas, merry christmas, happy holidays, Happy Christmas, watercolor, kitty, kitten, cat, Peace, Peace on Earth, Hark, Angel, wings, costume, school play, Christmas pageant, pageant, nativity, seasons greetings, happy, holiday, holidays, angels, noel, joyeux noel, drawing, draw, drawings, watercolors, watercolour, watercolor art, art, illustration, artist, illustrator, artwork, character, character design, characters, sweet, sugar plums, wing, merry, quirky, girl, animals, fun, friends, friend, white, winter, December, woodland, painting, paint, kids, children, kid lit art, kid lit, Children's Art, children's illustration, cute, friendship, jolly, watercolor illustration
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Home

November 22, 2017

Home   watercolor on paper

I just love this illustration, and it certainly has to be in my top favorites. It depicts my favorite season, and it reminds me of my home, so that of course is what I decided to call it!

Many of you that live in the states are most likely homeward bound for celebrating Thanksgiving with friends and family, and so here's to wishing you happy journeys, and a joy-filled time when you arrive at your homes, wherever they may be. Happy Thanksgiving!!

Tags home, house, homes, thanksgiving, Happy Thanksgiving, thanks', thanks, Thanksgiving, thank you, thankful, happy, holidays, happy holidays, watercolor, watercolour, watercolors, illustration, art, aquarelle, nature, autumn, fall, November, squirrel, geese, goose, tree, family, friends, friendsgiving, illustrator, homeward, travel, wanderlust, paper, artist, artwork, original art, no place like home, brother, sister, siblings, drawing, creative, character, design, graphic design, artsy, studio, Gretchen Ellen Powers, children, kids, kid lit art, kid lit, Children's Art, children's illustration, boy, girl, wild, forest, woodland, fairy tale, storybook, animals, friend, vintage, retro, holiday

Original Painting: Be Cool Stay in School

October 6, 2017

Be Cool Stay in School  14"x16"  watercolor on paper

This original painting is now available in my shop, in case you'd like to give these two a loving home! 

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags original, original painting, painting, illustration, original art, artsy, design, home decor, paint, artist, artwork, back to school, vintage, retro, quirky, eccentric, geeky, nerdy, geek, nerd, glasses, rabbit, bunny, kids, children, boy, cool, school, homework, friends, friend, friendship, watercolor, watercolors, watercolour, watercolor illustration, watercolor painting, watercolor art, studio, for sale, i love my job, happy, whimsical, whimsy, sweet, charming, surreal, fairy tale, storybook, kid lit art, Gretchen Ellen Powers
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Sneak Peek: Apple Dog

September 7, 2017

Just a corner of a surprise I made for my brother, featuring his dog and our loyal friend Molly. 

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags molly, September, apple, apples, fall, autumn, sneak peek, wip, painting, watercolor, watercolors, watercolour, aquarelle, watercolor painting, paint, illustration, illustrator, children's art, children's illustration, kids, cute, sweet, dog, doggie, puppy, friend, friends, black dog, artist, artsy, design, character, back to school, fun, whimsy, whimsical, happy, happy fall, happy autumn, picking apples, nature, wildlife, animals, animal, pet, man's best friend, pets

Sneak Peek: Part One (Where Puppy Love is Very Much Present)

August 1, 2017

I hope you have a furry friend (or feathered or finned, or scaled for that matter!) Because there's really nothing quite like it...

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags illustration, paint, painting, art, artwork, artist, daily art, painting process, wip, sneak peek, work in progress, charming, whimsy, whimsical, illustrator, artsy, pet, dog, doggie, puppy, terrier, boy, kids, children, love, happy, friends, furry friends, friendship, friend, pets, vintage, puppy love, puppies, dogs, man's best friend, best friends, best friend, watercolor, watercolour, original art, original, aquarelle, photograph, studio
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An Afternoon of Hygge

March 25, 2017

An Afternoon of Hygge   8"x10"  watercolor on paper

A simple practice of cozy. There's nothing like the comfort that can be found in the company of good friends and a warm bowl of hot soup.  

A Definition: Hygge: (noun) A Danish word for a quality of coziness (=feeling warm, comfortable, and safe) that comes from doing simple things such as lighting candles, baking, or spending time at home with your family: You can read more about Hygge here, through this fun article courtesy of The New Yorker.

Come to find out, I've been practicing this lifestyle since I was a child, I just never knew the word for it before now. 

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags hygge, comfort, art, illustration, painting, watercolor, watercolour, children, kids, bear, ram, sheep, wolf, girl, boy, kid lit, kidlit, kid lit art, kidlitart, nature, wildlife, danish, scandinavian, nordic, winter, cozy, coziness, happy, friends, soup, friendship, friend, love, green, red, food, foodie, tea, spring, march, paper, bread, knitting, sweater, clothing, animals, denmark, copenhagen, horns, hat, vintage, retro, charming, whimsy, whimsical, surreal, anthro, anthropomorphic, animals in clothes, woodland, forest, mountain, ink, floral, design, graphic, graphic design, illustrator, theme, party, dinner, supper, home
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Book Cover: WIP #3

March 10, 2017

Almost done with this project, and I am very much loving the mice! I'll be posting the finished illustration for this fun book cover tomorrow!

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags illustration, art, painting, mice, mouse, woodland, nature, surreal, anthro, anthropomorphic, whimsy, whimsical, artwork, artist, illustrator, kid lit, kidlit, kid lit art, kidlitart, school, children, kids, Children's Art, children's illustration, graphic design, design, characters, animals, Animals In Clothes, sweet, cute, friends, education, editorial, editorial illustration, vintage, rustic, snake, python, computer, computer language, book, books, book cover, cover, cover art, study, wip, paint, watercolor, watercolour, water color, ink, drawing, sneak peek, process, palette, friend, school house, back to school, tree, apple tree, apples, photo, photography, school books, educational, learning, computer programming, how to, non fiction, non-fiction, nonfiction, commission, forest, retro, old fashioned, house, home
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Maggie Among the Magnolias

February 20, 2017

Maggie Among the Magnolias   8"x10"  watercolor & ink on paper

A fairy and a robin make for the best of friends. These two are singing the sweet first notes of spring.

February 10th was when I spotted the first robin in my backyard. And now, we're having a taste of spring here in Michigan this week, and I must say that I a little bird told me it was coming.

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags woodland, fairy, robin, bird, birds, feathers, forest, trees, floral, flowers, magnolia, surreal, fairytale, fairy tale, storybook, painting, illustration, art, artwork, illustrator, paint, watercolor, watercolour, ink, kid lit, kidlit, kid lit art, kidlitart, pink, white, sweet, cute, friends, spring, birdie, songbird, character, design, book, nursery, pen and ink, paper, friend, friendship, whimsy, whimsical, nature, wildlife, animals, animal, children, kids, happy, fun, play, playing, mixed media
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The Magical Story Hour

February 10, 2017

The Magical Story Hour   12"x12"  watercolor & ink on paper

After building their new friend, the following day the children returned to enjoy his company again. And they all settled down for a quiet and magical story hour with their new friend. Everyone is hoping to have their favorite book read aloud, even the animals (the birds are carrying their favorite in the air!) What a wonderful way to spend the afternoon!

Thinking of teaching my own snow sculptures the handy trick of reading a-loud from favorite books.

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags winter, snow, friends, friend, friendship, snowman, cute, surreal, whimsy, whimsical, fox, animals, woodland, wildlife, nature, bunny, bunnies, rabbit, squirrel, books, book, read, reading, storybook, story, stories, picture book, novel, birds, bird, feathers, kids, children, picture, painting, watercolor, watercolour, ink, drawing, pain, illustration, kid lit, kid lit art, kidlit, kidlitart, library, happy, fun, playing, story time, girl, boy, sweet, set, character, characters, character design, charming, kids lit, red fox, rabbits, feather, paper
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Building Friendships

February 6, 2017

Building Friendships   12"x12"  watercolor & ink on paper

One of my favorite things about the winter is being able to sculpt a jolly being from all that snow. These clever kids have thought of all of the right ingredients for making a new friend and bring him to life! (Sequel illustration to follow shortly)

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags winter, snow, snowman, play, fun, playing, kids, children, kid lit, kid lit art, kidlit, kidlitart, picture book, children's book, children's illustration, Children's Art, painting, paint, watercolor, watercolour, ink, fox, rabbit, bunny, squirrel, rabbits, woodland, surreal, whimsy, cute, red fox, animals, animal, anthro, anthropomorphic, books, book, reading, winter wonderland, February, happy, charming, wildlife, sweet, nature, forest, woodland animals, nursery, boy, girl, water color, mixed media, illustration, illo, illustrator, art, artist, retro, vintage, rustic, friend, friends, friendship, building snowman, paper
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Making Friends with Furry Friends: Hello

January 4, 2017

Making Friends with Furry Friends: Hello   9"x11"   watercolor and ink on paper

Greetings. Hello. Salutations. How-do-you-do. Bonjour. Ciao. Howdy. No matter how you say it, there's nothing quite as nice as saying hello to a friend.

These two are becoming acquainted over a fence post; and I'm sure that it won't be long before the little girl will be sharing some goodies from her basket with her new pals.

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags illustration, painting, kids, children, dog, puppy, cat, kitten, friends, friendship, hello, making new friends, making friends, furry friends, animals, pet, pets, retro, vintage, woodland, fence, neighbors, neighborhood, friend, friendly, country, floral, garden, red, green, kid lit, kidlit, kid lit art, picture book, watercolor, watercolour, paint, mixed media, ink, multimedia, waving, childrens illustration, children's art, children's book, book, storybook, fun, narrative, happy, play, playing, drawing, draw, art, nature, january, 2017, new year, happy new year, new year's eve, Children's Art, kidlitart, children's illustration
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Santa's Little Helpers

December 22, 2016

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.

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags santa, st nick, saint nick, saint nicholas, st nicholas, jolly, elf, elves, raccoon, squirrel, elephant, toy, kids, children, Christmas, Christmas Gifts, paint, work, December, north pole, toys, gifts, presents, stocking, building, green, red, woodland, forest, cute, sweet, whimsy, whimsical, charming, kid lit art, kidlitart, nursery, sugar plums, december, happy holidays, holiday, holidays, Merry, happy Christmas, happy, Christmas cheer, cheer, cheers, friends, the north pole, animals, animal, rustic, fairy tale, storybook, merry christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Christmas, art, illustration, illustrator, watercolor, watercolour, ink, red squirrel, vintage toy, vintage, retro, toy maker, Christmas countdown, painting, circus, joyeux noel, noel, anthro, anthropomorphic, animals in clothes, winter, snow, kid lit, kidlit, mixed media, nature, wildlife, Woodland, hammer, carpenter, artist, Santa, Santa Claus, surreal, friend, friendship
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Bunny Mitten

December 5, 2016

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! 

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags bunny, rabbit, critter, woodland, friend, green, red, floral, foliage, Christmas, happy holidays, holiday, holidays, december, winter, snow, forest, surreal, cute, sweet, whimsy, whimsical, scandinavian, nordic, knit, knitting, Merry Christmas, happy Christmas, drums, ribbon, bunnies, rabbits, jolly, mitten, gloves, mittens, clothing, fashion, wildlife, animals, Animals In Clothes, animal, nature, anthro, anthropomorphic, fairy tale, countdown, Christmas Gifts, Christmas present, illustration, painting, paint, watercolor, watercolour, art, artwork, mixed media, illustrator, children, kids, Children's Art, children's illustration, sugar plums
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Thankful for Friendly Windows and Pumpkin Pie

November 23, 2016

Thankful for Friendly Windows and Pumpkin Pie   10"x12"  watercolor on paper

Thanksgiving thoughts from this bunch of happy critters? Good friends, friendly windows, and pumpkin pie. Hope you get the chance to enjoy a slice of pie during the holiday as well! And if you have any leftovers, why not share a slice with a furry friend?

Happy Thanksgiving!

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags thanksgiving, Happy Thanksgiving, friendsgiving, friends, friend, friendly, friendship, best friends, bff, animals, animals in clothes, anthro, anthropomorphic, nature, wildlife, holiday, holidays, happy holidays, fun, happy, pie, pies, pumpkin, pumpkins, pumpkin pie, food, treats, treat, sweet, sweets, sweet tooth, fox, rabbit, red fox, bunny, squirrel, grey squirrel, autumn, fall, window, windows, illustration, girl, cute, share, sharing, thanks, thank, thank you, thankful, Thanksgiving, leaves, autumn leaves, harvest, kid lit, kid lit art, picture book, fairy tale, storybook, woodland, love, bounty, blessings, orange, dessert, desserts, foodie, cooking, chef, family, rabbits, November
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