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
I See the Moon
I See the Moon watercolor on paper
Stargazing is her favorite hobby.
Peter Pan: Book Cover & Interior Spot Illustration
Peter Pan: Book Cover & Interior Illustration watercolor on paper
This story, these characters, and this world have all been favorites of mine since I was a little girl. And so since I have been illustrating some of my favorite classic book covers recently, I thought I would pay tribute to J.M. Barrie's immortal tale as well.
“Second star to the right and straight on 'til morning! ”
The Key to My Heart
The Key to My Heart 7"x7" original watercolor painting
So excited to announce that Arboretum's opening reception is happening tonight @ Light Grey Art Lab.
The collections include Arboretum: An exhibition about botany: genetics, enchanted forests and designed garden spaces. We are excited to celebrate our experiences in nature and discovery. In addition to the Arboretum exhibition, we will have featured exhibitions, Resurgence a artisanal exhibition about the return of vibrance, The Flush of Spring a collection of work about change, flux, and energy, and Campfire Comics and Stories is a 26page Risograph comic published by Dennis Madamba and Kyle Harabedian and featuring the work of 13 illustrators.
I am so thrilled to have my original painting of The Key to My Heart included into this enchanting collection. And this gallery's just another good reason to love and admire the midwest. The exhbition will be on display from March 23rd through April 20th!
Light Grey Art Lab Gallery: Arboretum
So, my last few weeks of winter have been spent painting green things and not being able to hardly wait for this to happen! My many thanks to LGAL for inviting me to partake in all of this nature-y goodness. I'll have an original painting on display there March 23rd - April 20th!
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
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.
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!! 🍬🎅
A Labor of Love
So you have no doubt seen a lot of little snippets, bits and bobs and pieces of my work lately. Well, all of these little glimpses have been a part of a larger picture, and I have been pursuing my dream of storytelling: I have illustrated a book! I'll share more details in the weeks to come, but until then I want to savor a beautiful melancholy-ness in my heart.
This pile represents all of the days, and minutes, and months, and weeks that I have joyfully poured into my first book. It's a wonderful feeling to actually be able to reach out and hold a piece of time like this! I can not wait until you, too, can hold this tangible form of time.
I am thankful.
Original: The Elves & The Shoemaker
Follow this link if you fancy a bit of fairy-tale-dreams-and-mousieness to grace your walls!
The Elves & The Shoemaker
The Elves & the Shoemaker 11"x11" watercolor on paper
In all of their story-telling-magicalness, The Bros. Grimm made a story about little elves that help a poor shoemaker. In my version the elves are mice, and the shoemaker a little boy who can't even afford any shoes for himself. And so he has fallen asleep with his work, barefoot, and unbeknownst to him these small helpers are scampering about his feet, helping him make his footwear, and the finest to be had!
Many thanks to Jacob and Willhelm Grimm for coining such an enchanting tale! Those brothers sure knew what they were doing... One of my favorite sibling collaborations!!
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 #2 (ornament)
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!