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Gretchen Ellen Powers

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The Nutcracker

December 15, 2019

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.

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags Christmas, Merry Christmas, Happy Christmas, Tchaikovsky, nutcracker, nutcracker ballet, balet, music, movie book, book, movie, musical, classic, classic tale, fairy tale, storybook, story, books, classical, kid lit, kid lit art, kidlit, kidlitart, children's illustration, illo, illo advent, character design, graphic design, sweet, cute, magic, winter wonderland, believe, winter, December
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Pink & Peonies

December 10, 2019

Winter bunnies and floral wreaths are swimming in my head!

P.S. All ducks should have the option of a green spotted head scarf for blustery days…

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags illo, illustration, botanical, nursery, nursery decor, decor, children's art, children's illustration, painting, paint, watercolor, floral, flowers, bunny, bunnies, rabbit, duck, baby, babies, girl, children, pink, peonies, peony, art, artwork, artist, illustrator, wreath, floral wreath, live painting, sweet cute, kid lit, cute, sweet, kid lit art, kidlit, kidlitart, picture book, picture book artist, winter, pastel, pastels
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Little Red Riding Hood in Winter

January 27, 2019

Little Red Riding Hood in Winter

Winter nights are magical like fairy tales… Mixed together you have Red Riding Hood and her deer friend.

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags brothers grimm, grimm, grimm bros, fairy tales, fairy, fairie tales, red, red riding hood, little red riding hood, children's book, children's story, storybook, fairytale, fairy tale, winter, snow, deer, reindeer, antlers, woodland, forest, surreal, whimsy, whimsical, painting, paint, illo, illustration, illustrator, arti, artist, artwork, original, character, character design, cute, sweet, girl, blue, scandinavian, scandi, hygge, cozy, ride, riding, story, kids, kid lit, kid lit art, kidlitart, picture book illustrator, children illustrator, children's illustrator, art, original artwork, classic book, book, children's books
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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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Little Drummer Boy

December 18, 2018

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 pum

Then he smiled at me
Pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum”

-The Little Drummer Boy

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags Little Drummer Boy, drummer, drum, Christmas song, Christmas Carol, drummer boy, boy, lyrics, retro, vintage, Christmas Classic, classic, Gretchen Ellen Powers, illustration, kid lit, kid lit art, kidlit, kidlitart, winter, snow, winter wonderland, Merry Christmas, Christmas, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Christmas Carolers, carolers, carol, cute, sweet, kids, illo, illo advent, advent, December, painting, art, artwork, character, design, artist, illustrator, children, children's illustration, children's art, Christmas illustration, magic, believe, Jesus, Christ, Baby Jesus, whimsy, whimsical, charming, kid, 1940s, scandinavian, drums, scarf, December 25th, Happy Christmas, A Merry Christmas, Christmas 2018, paint
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St Lucia

December 13, 2018

St. Lucia

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags Christmas, Merry Christmas, Happy Christmas, Holiday, Holidays, Happy Holidays, Saint, st, lucia, Saint Lucia, St. Lucia, Lucia, sweden, swedish, scandinavian, hygge, magic, magical, believe, Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Christmas Spirit, folk, wreath, red, white, green, woodland, winter, snow, December, seasons greetings, ange;, angel, Christmas Eve, Illo advent, Christmas Countdown, love, peace, peace on earth
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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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Friends Not Food

November 19, 2018

Friends Not Food

These two are hoping that this Thanksgiving you’ll pass the tofu turkey!

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags tofu, vegan, vegetarian, food, foodie, friendsgiving, turkey, turkey bird, cute, friends, best friends, dinner, Thanksgiving, Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Holiday, Happy Holidays, know who your friends are, quirky, sweet, plants, plant based, vegetables, fruit, vegan food, vegan Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving dinner, illustration, Friendsgiving, illo, illustrator, kidlit, kidlitart, kid lit, kid lit art, children's illustrator, children's illustration, children's art, art, artist, ilustrator, children's author, Gretchen Ellen Powers, graphic design, design, country, farm, countryliving, country living, farmer, farm girl, bird, birds, winter, November, holiday, happy holidays, menu, chef, cook, cookbook, kitchen, culinary, culinary school, nutrition, comfort food, vegetarians, vegans, vegetarian Thanksgiving, tofu turkey, animals, animal, Friendship, friends not food
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Light Grey Art Lab Gallery: Arboretum

March 7, 2018

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!

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags illustration, illustrator, painting, paint, watercolor, gallery, gallery show, mn, minnesota, minneapolis, midwest, midwestern, midwest living, arboretum, exhibition, exhibit, nature, naturalism, naturalist, nature study, bird, birds, feathers, flight, wings, wild, wildlife, Mother Nature, green, spring, springtime, happy spring, march, april, Light Grey Art Lab, original, original painting, original art, graphic design, home decor, wall art, minimalism, minimalist, minimal, wood, woods, woodland, garden, life, scientific illustration, science, natural science, forest, space, watercolors, aquarelle, Gretchen Ellen Powers, gretchenellenpowers, LGAL, opening, gallery opening, reception, botany, botanical, enchanted, magic, magical, genetics, collections, collection, resurgence, campfire, camp, display, artwork, artist, announcement, news, happy, winter
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The Valentine

February 14, 2018

The Valentine,   watercolor on paper

These two young sweethearts are holding hands, the boy in snowshoes is steading the girl on her wobbly ice-skates. She's presenting him with her homemade valentine, and he has a little bouquet of flowers behind his back to surprise her with. 

Wishing you a LOVE-ly and Happy Valentine's Day!

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags happy Valentine's Day, valentine, valentine's day, st valentine, be my valentine, sweet, sweetheart, sweet heart, sweet hearts, sweethearts, cute, kids, kid lit, kid lit art, painting, watercolor, character, characters, character design, design, February, february 14, ice skates, skates, skating, winter, snow, heart, hearts, romance, love, love birds, love bird, snowshoes, snow shoes, pink, red, blue, vintage, retro, charming, cutie, whimsy, whimsical, nostalgic, fashion, puppy love, young love, coral, flower, flowers, floral, happy, fun, drawing, sketch, sketchbook, watercolors, watercolour, watercolor illustration, colored pencil, colored pencils, mixed media, paint, art, artwork, original, original painting, fantasy, fantasy art, home decor, artist, artsy, creative, illustration, illustrator, nature, wildlife, games, playing, play
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Berry Happy

January 26, 2018

Berry Happy   watercolor on paper

Dreaming of warm weather and sweet wild strawberries. Two things that make me Berry Happy indeed!

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags mouse, mice, cute, fruit, berry, strawberry, wild strawberry, flower, floral, flowers, painting, illustration, illustrator, paint, artist, artwork, art, fruity, vegetarian, vegan, animals, wildlife, nature, woodland, spring, happy spring, outdoors, winter, Gretchen Ellen Powers, watercolor, watercolour, watercolor illustration, watercolor art, illustrated, charming, whimsy, whimsical, fairy tale, happy, fun, drawing, draw, sketch, sketchbook, red, white, green, flora, food, foodie, yummy
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Wings & Petals

January 19, 2018

Wings & Petals   watercolor on paper

On a cold, wintery morning I found my thoughts filled with flights of fancy and warm spring blooms. This is the result of that wintery day-dream. 

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags winter, spring, butterfly, moth, floral, flowers, cosmos, white, pink, wings, flight, happy, spring has sprung, fauna, flora, nature, wildlife, botanical, botany, art, artwork, woodland, pretty, moths, butterflies, animals, outdoors, cute, artist, naturalist, naturalism, scientific illustration, scientific, science, natural science, study, studies, sketch, sketchbook, sketching, sketches, watercolor, watercolour, illustration, fine art, fairy tale, fairy wings, fairy, fantasy, fantasy art, surreal, surrealism, realism, paper, mixed media, pencil, drawing, colored pencils, coral, peach, pretty in pink, painting, paint, wip, January 2018, 2018, january, sweet, wall art, decor, design, graphic design, graphic, nature study, wintery, happy spring, first of spring, bloom, blooms, blossoms, petals, flower, posy, posie, posies
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Father Time

January 12, 2018

Father Time    watercolor on paper

Walking through the ages, holding time tenderly in the crook of his arm. Father Time himself has been on my mind a bit, seeing as we have left one year and gone into another, but it is true that he walks amoung us every calendar day of our lives. You may or may not know this, but Father Time is also a friend to Mother Nature, so I put some little woodland friends in there as well!

Happy Twenty-Eighteen, hoping it's off to a lovely beginning for you!

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags time, new year, 2018, twenty eighteen, happy new year, new years eve, father time, fairytale, fairy tale, storybook, character, painting, paint, watercolor, drawing, sketch, sketchbook, animals, woodland, winter, snow, January, nature, wildlife, paper, art, artist, crossroads, travel, Mother Nature, wanderlust, directions, clock, birds, time flies, time marching, vintage, retro, surreal, surrealism, original art, fantasy art, original, originals, Gretchen Ellen Powers, illustration, illo, watercolors, time marches on, time and tide, traveling, happy, friends, fox, rabbit, deer, woodland animals, animal, rustic, Woodland, forest, new years resolution, artwork, illustrator, sweet, cute
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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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The Nutcracker

December 19, 2017

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. 

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags Tchaikovsky, ballet, The Nutcracker, Nutcracker, music, opera, story, musical, dance, dancing, ballerina, russia, russian, classic, storybook, fairy tale, fairytale, magical, magic, Christmas, merry christmas, happy, Happy Holidays, happy christmas, childrens illustration, children's book, Children's Art, watercolor, watercolours, advent, winter, season, seasons greetings, friends, mouse, rat, king, tradition, folk, paper, snow, cute, sweet, friendship, mice, rat king, drum, drums, vintage, retro, prince, nutcracker Christmas, dancers, New York, play, theater, live, theatre, new york city ballet, russian ballet, ballerinas, dances, believe, whimsy, whimsical, make believe, imagination, dream, dreamers, dreaming, wonderland, winter wonderland, wonder, kids, kid lit art, kid lit, artwork, painting, paint

The Key to my Heart

December 8, 2017

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.

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags painting, watercolor, art, illustration, bird, original art, nature, wildlife, cute, feathers, friends, love, love birds, love bird, birds, flight, surreal, anthro, animals in clothes, winter, Christmas, December, November, paint, watercolour, watercolors, design, rustic, woodland, forest, whimsy, whimsical, charming, sweet, bride, wedding, woodland wedding, animals, artsy, creative, graphic design, mr, mrs, bridegroom, groom, hitched, romance, romantic, key, skeleton key, paper, Gretchen Ellen Powers, artist, illustrator, shop, Christmas Gifts, christmas present, present, gift, gift ideas

Miracle on 34th Street

December 3, 2017

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!! 🍬🎅

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags miracle on 34th street, Christmas, Christmas tree, merry christmas, happy christmas, happy holidays, holiday, holidays, December, winter, snow, santa, santa claus, saint nick, st nick, hoho, classic, classic story, movie, film, films, movies, classic movie, macys, m, macy's, new york, new york ny, new york city, nyc, parade, animals, happy, family, fun, believe, watercolor, watercolor painting, painting, watercolors, watercolour, art, artwork, artist, illustration, illustrator, kid lit art, kid lit, kidlitart, kidlit, Children's Art, children's illustration, kids, magical, magic, Happy Christmas, rudolph, it's a wonderful life, the nutcracker, polar express, A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens, favorites, list, Christmas movies, tradition, paint, characters, character, character design, design, graphic, graphic design

Signing Copies Today!!

November 11, 2017

So excited to be doodling little notes and happy signatures in this wonderful book I was blessed to illustrate!! I said I was having a book signing, and today's the day my fellow mitten'eers (aka: Michiganders, yeti, and inhabiters of the North Pole.) If you find yourself in southwest Michigan this afternoon, I'd love to see your sweet faces! 

The Details: Renaissance & Papyrus / 507 Phoenix St, South Haven, Michigan / noon-6

In My Books, Art & Illustration (mine) Tags watercolor, art, artist, illustrator, illustration, kids, children, children's illustration, children's art, nature, novel, book, books, book nerd, happy, book store, bookstore, book shelf, Kids Lit Art, kid lit, kid lit art, kidlit, kidlitart, photo, painting, painting demo, live, event, book signing, meet the illustrator, meet the artist, artwork, drawing, michigan, winter, November
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Original Painting: An Afternoon of Hygge

June 5, 2017

An Afternoon of Hygge    8"x10" watercolor on paper

I'm making a few of my favorite paintings available for sale! You can purchase Hygge, here. 

These friends are looking forward to meeting you!

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags original, art, artwork, painting, hygge, illustration, home decor, children, kids, nursery, decor, design, graphic design, wall art, rustic, cottage, sweet, cute, animals, anthro, anthropomorphic, nature, wildlife, goat, ram, wolf, boy, girl, picnic, food, foodie, soup, winter, spring, fall, autumn, scandinavian, nordic, danish, denmark, surreal, friends, happy, sharing, vintage, retro, woodland, forest, friendsgiving, watercolor, original painting, watercolour, paper, original art, photo, photograph, photography, floral, flowers, studio, illustrator, artist, artsy, creative
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