Tribute: JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH - Book Cover

James & the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl - Book Cover Tribute

What happens when you combine an orphaned boy, a spider, centepeed, inch-worm, lady bird, glow worm, grasshopper, and one oversized fruit? Genius. 

This is another tribute book cover I did to one of my all time favorite adventures. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl (originally published in 1961 by Alfred A. Knopf)

You can bet his wicked old aunts are up in that rickety house planning some kind of no-good and mean schemes. But for me, that round fruit full of typography left me suddenly wishing for bowls full of peaches and cream.

Home

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!!

Original Painting: The Animal's Picnic

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The Animal's Picnic   12"x12"  watercolor on paper

The original for this happy little excursion is now up in my shop!

Another original painting in this shop update coming soon.

Drawing Cozy

Something I have been busy working on lately that has a lot to do with coziness. Finished watercolor to follow.

Book Cover: WIP #3

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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!

Happy Valentine's Day: Froggie Went a-Courtin'

Froggie Went a-Courtin'   8"x10"  watercolor & ink on paper

Miss Mousie has a pleasant surprise waiting for her outside of her front door. Froggie has come a calling for her hand, with a bouquet of waterlilies. It seemed so appropriate for a Valentine's theme, and being animals I couldn't help myself.

Wishing you a very Happy Valentine's Day- whether that means sharing the day with a sweetheart, a friend, family, a loyal pet, or extending some love to the natural world around us. Even if there might not be a frog outside your door with a bunch of posies, I hope today has a few special surprises for you as well! ♥ ❤ 

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:

• Fox Ornament
• Jackalope #1 Ornament
• Jackalope #2 Ornament

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 #2 (ornament)

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Visions of Sugar Plums: Jackalope #2   gouache and acrylic on glass

My second Jackalope ornament is different from the others and is painted red on white, and it is the final ornament that I am creating for my set Visions of Sugar Plums.  

• This final ornament I am offering is another 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.

This magic and jolly little creature wants to find a home in your lovely Christmas trees, and family traditions. 

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!

Visions of Sugar Plums: Fox (Ornament)

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I am painting three original Christmas ornaments and calling the set Visions of Sugar Plums.

• This first one I am offering is a woodland fox 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.

Happy Holidays and jolly thoughts my little rabbits!

Wind in the Willows: Mr. Mole in Springtime

Mr. Mole in Springtime   11"x14"    oil on wood

Mr. Mole is cleaning in the springtime, taking care of his lovely home, and dreaming of above ground.

Part of my WIND IN THE WILLOWS SERIES: A miniature set of four paintings based on the classic children's novel by Kenneth Grahame. 

Wind in the Willows: Badger by Candlelight

Badger by Candlelight   11"x14"    oil on wood

Mr. Badger walking the halls of his long corridors at night while Ratty and Moley are knocking outside in the cold winter storm. They'll be invited in to warm themselves by the fire of the kind, solitary animal.

Part of my WIND IN THE WILLOWS SERIES: A miniature set of four paintings based on the classic children's novel by Kenneth Grahame. 

Grandpa Bear's Chair & Emmeline Wines

Grandpa Bear's Chair   13"x10"   watercolor & gouache on paper

Grandpa Bear and his fox granddaughter love to read in his comfy chair. They have a good source of reading material beside them to keep them entertained for hours of book loving fun. 

This is the finished label illustration for Emmeline Wines, an Australian wine company that I have had the honor of working with for their past two vintages. Thank you for letting me join the adventure again Narelle & Tim!

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Inktober: Day 5

Inking tiny mushroom homes and white cabbage moths. A secret woodland retreat. Find myself wishing I saw more real estate listings that resembled this.

The Neighborhood

The Neighborhood   20"x16"  watercolor & gouache on paper

A happy scene is unfolding before the eyes of these little Brooklyn row houses. The neighborhood children have come out to play and enjoy this beautiful day together, and it just so happens to be someone's birthday on the street. A mother and child walking down the sidewalk are carrying balloons and bags, it is certain that a birthday party is in the air. And to top it all off, a stork mailman has made his way to the Big Apple from the woodland post to deliver a special birthday letter, and perhaps a little bundle of joy as well!

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Sneak Peek Part II: The Neighborhood

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Part 2 of my work in progress: This painting has been a labor of love and a good experience for me. It is quite a large painting by my standards, measuring 20"x16". This photo is from a few days ago, since then my happy little New York City scene has come together quite well. The finished illustration is coming your way in a day or two. Until then, happy playing!

Sneak Peek: The Neighborhood

All week I have been illustrating a happy scene from a street in Brooklyn. Here's an earlier sneak peek of the work in progress. 

The Town Mouse & the Country Mouse: Dollhouse

The Town Mouse & the Country Mouse: Dollhouse   5"x7"  Watercolor & gouache on paper

Oh to be a few inches tall, then you could crawl into the walls of a miniature dollhouse! That is where the town mouse makes his home in the city, within the toy house of the little children who live in the building he takes shelter in. It makes for very lavish mouse-size living quarters, and I am a bit jealous of them! 

The country mouse seems to be a bit uneasy and awkward as she stands atop the table holding her china plate. A cup has fallen on the floor and shattered amid the hustle and bustle of city life. This is perhaps my favorite of the two paintings, mostly due to the awkward positions they take while sitting at the miniature toy table. 

This Aesop's fable was such a fun thing to interpret, but they were also a present to my Mother for her birthday as we have always called her and her sister "The Country Mouse and the City Mouse". My mother is a country mouse, and I am as well. Although, I could be tempted to take up residence in a local dollhouse if one could be provided or I could find a drink similar to Alice's when she shrunk in Wonderland. Keep me posted if you come across anything of that nature!

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The Town Mouse & the Country Mouse: Blackberries

The Town Mouse & the Country Mouse: Blackberries   5"x7"  Watercolor & gouache on paper

I have been working on a companion set of paintings to illustrate the classic Aesop's Fable, The Town Mouse & the Country Mouse. The first one takes a peek though the briers and brambles into the modest abode of a little country field mouse. She has invited her well-to-do cousin, who lives in town, to visit her. He happens to arrive during blackberry season, and so he is just in time to partake in the art of preserving the harvest in the form of jams & jellies. Glancing over his shoulder, spoon in hand, he is looking to his cousin for instructions on the recipe.

I will admit that I am a bit of a country mouse myself. Nothing like having bare feet in the grass reading a book, or snacking on wild fruit.

In the next illustration (coming soon!) she will be visiting her cousin's home in town.

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Mouses & Houses

On my plate this week: Mouses & Houses