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Gretchen Ellen Powers

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Sneak Peek Part 1

August 15, 2016

Painting squirrels in hats.

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags squirrel, hat, cute, wip, ink, watercolor, watercolor illustration, watercolour, paint, art, illustration, nature, animals, animal, animals in clothes, anthro, anthropomorphic, surreal, kids, kid lit, picture book, wildlife, woodland, forest, friend, red squirrel, palette, fashion, vintage, painting, painting process, close-up, sneak peek, artist, artists on Tumblr, artists of tumblr, illustrator, creative, work, rustic, sweet, whimsy, whimsical, photo, photography, studio, artwork, children's illustration, Children's Art, children's book, children, fun, widn
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High Tea

August 12, 2016

High Tea   5"x7"  watercolor on paper

I have had quite a few tea parties, and enjoy a ritual of tea every day - often more than twice! - and so I know precisely how my little mouse friend feels. Here is her miniature accompanying story: 

Celia Mousekins has a great fondness for two treats, sugar cubes and Earl Grey tea. Here she has combined the two pleasures in one, and gives it a stir, as she enjoys a mouse sized version of High Tea.

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags mouse, watercolor, watercolour, painting, art, artwork, mice, tea, anthro, anthropomorphic, animals, animal, Animals In Clothes, woodland, forest, cute, surreal, sweet, wildlife, nature, whimsy, whimsical, tea party, tea cup, teacup, food, drink, field mouse, mouse in dress, dress, clothing, clothes, fashion, vintage, retro, victorian, artist, illustrator, artsy, creative, edwardian, high tea, elegant, tea time, china, blue and white, blue, white, kids, children, kid lit, kid lit art, book, picture book, storybook, story, fairy tale, surrealism, nursery, print, original, original painting, ink, pencil, sketch, paint, childrens illustration, children's book, Children's Art, children's illustration, children's art, decor, home, wall art, wall decor, spoon, silver, willow, dish, dishes, sugar, sugar cube, english tea, cottage, country, Gretchen Ellen Powers, artists of tumblr, artists on Tumblr, fine art, pretty, floral, pattern
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Inking Work

August 8, 2016

The humble beginnings of a little mouse.

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags ink, pen, pen and ink, mouse, mice, wip, animals, anthro, anthropomorphic, nature, wildlife, vintage, surreal, cute, whimsy, whimsical, black and white, black & white, b & w, retro, victorian, fairy tale, storybook, Animals In Clothes, water colour, water color, watercolour, watercolor, illustration, painting, art, illustrator, artist, artists of tumblr, artists on Tumblr, artsy, artwork, work, inking, black, white, monochromatic, minimal, minimalism, photo, photography, camera, summer, monday, work flow, work in progress, process, painting process, paint, painter, WIP, sweet, charming, friends, little, children's illustration, Children's Art, children's art, children's book, childrens illustration, children, kids, animal, kid lit, kid lit art, literature, picture book, child, kid, field mouse, woodland, forest

Snippet...

July 29, 2016

Just two friends sharing an umbrella. 

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags raccoon, rabbit, watercolor, mixed media, ink, painting, illustration, umbrella, rain, friends, friend, friendship, anthro, anthropomorphic, animals, animals in clothes, cute, whimsical, whimsy, sweet, love, kids, children, kids lit art, kid lit, childrens illustration, Children's Art, watercolour, snippet, wip, sneak peek, art, artist, illustrator, vintage, retro, victorian, classic, storybook, fairy tale, wildlife, nature, animal
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Making a New Friend

July 22, 2016

A little afternoon painting from my sketchbook... I love making new friends. 

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags sketch, sketchbook, drawing, draw, graphite, color, paint, watercolor, watercolour, watercolor painting, watercolor illustration, art, artwork, artist, artists on tumblr, artists of tumblr, nature, wildlife, animals, Animals In Clothes, anthro, anthropomorphic, raccoon, cute, sweet, whimsy, whimsical, picture book, character, characters, character design, rainbow, surreal, children's book, children's art, children's illustration, friends, friend, friendship, WIP, process, work flow, work in progress, work, job, love, woodland, forest, floral, ink, pencil, make, diy, craft, fashion, clothing, sailor, nautical, children's decor, decor, home decor, creative, artsy, minimal, illustration, illustrator, childrens illustration

From My Sketchbook

July 20, 2016

A drawing from my sketchbook, featuring two friends, an umbrella, and a jolly rain cloud. 

More soon!

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags sketch, sketching, sketchbook, graphite, pencil, draw, drawing, doodle, WIP, work in progress, painting process, work flow, work, artwork, art, illustration, Kids Lit Art, kid lit, kid lit art, rabbit, raccoon, umbrella, rain, cloud, anthro, anthropomorphic, nature, surreal, whimsy, whimsical, friends, friendship, animals, animals in clothes, cute, kids, children, wildlife, picture book, book, illustrator, Children's Art, childrens illustration, clouds, artist, artsy, artists on tumblr, artists on Tumblr, artists of tumblr, creative, buddies, love, best friends, happy, painting, singing in the rain, puddles, water
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Grandpa Bear's Chair: Part 2

July 14, 2016

The characters in my new wine label commission beginning to take form. 

These two have a great deal in common and reading is an obvious favorite pastime. Note the impressive stack of books beside their comfy chair.

This photo was taken a bit ago now, and the actual painting will be posted in a day or two. Until then!

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags WIP, bear, fox, brown bear, red fox, animals, Animals In Clothes, wildlife, cute, whimsy, whimsical, nature, books, read, reading, book, picture book, art, artwork, illustration, illustrator, children's illustration, children's art, children's book, design, graphic design, packaging, wine, label, commission, editorial, artist, artists on Tumblr, artists on tumblr, artists of tumblr, surreal, grandpa, granddaughter, australia, chair
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Commission Sneak Peek: Grandpa Bear's Chair

July 8, 2016

A fox and a bear. 

The beginnings of something that has two of my favorite animals.

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags bear, fox, wip, work in progress, painting, illustration, art, watercolor, gouache, mixed media, multimedia, photo, photography, nature, wildlife, surreal, whimsical, whimsy, anthro, anthropomorphic, animals in clothes, wine label, wine, packaging, design, graphic design, vintage, cute, picture book, illustrator, artsy, creative, paper, brush, paint, palette, color, colors, sweet, book, reading, sneak peek, artists on tumblr, artists of tumblr, artwork, artist, watercolor painting, water colour, water color, watercolour, watercolor illustration, behind the scenes, brown bear, red fox, grandpa, granddaughter, read, books, picture, camera
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Typography & Tea

July 5, 2016

Typography + tea = a grand weekend.

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags typography, lettering, font, graphic design, sepia, watercolor, gouache, hand lettering, letters, alaphabet, wip, work in progress, artwork, illustration, editorial, editorial illustration, commission, packaging, type, water colour, watercolour, paint, process, tea, black tea, wine, pinot gris, artisan, craft, crafted, grapes, food, drinks, drink, beverage, 2016, design, fox, cup, teacup, tea cup, pinot, vineyard, australia, illustrator, painting, art, artist, artists of tumblr, artists on Tumblr, artsy, creative, adelaide, estate, watercolor illustration
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Sketchbook Snippet

June 28, 2016

A small snippet from my sketchbook. 

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags sketch, sketchbook, sketching, draw, drawing, pencil, graphite, b & w, black and white, detail, snippet, sneak peek, painting, process, illustration, art, fox, book, reading, book worm, nerd, geek, animals, animal, wildlife, woodland, surreal, whimsical, anthro, anthropomorphic, animals in clothes, fairy tale, storybook, character design, graphic design, artist, watercolor
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Henry Turns Four

June 24, 2016

Henry Turns Four  15"x13" watercolor & gouache on paper

Henry and his friends from The Neighborhood are celebrating the occasion of his fourth birthday. The little boy in front of the stork in my previous painting is turning four and he is throwing a party. He has invited the children who appeared on the street as well as one or two new friends. The party has a circus theme, with toy animals in miniature party hats. They are singing Happy Birthday and blowing out candles on a cake. (Noise makers are being put to good use as well!) Even the dog has gotten in on the fun!

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags watercolor, watercolour, gouache, paint, painting, birthday, party, kids, children, cute, circus, zoo, animals, fun, friends, friendship, neighbors, NYC, new york, new york city, illustration, illustrator, childrens illustration, Children's Art, art, artwork, artist, picture book, children's illustration, children's book, children's art, childhood, sweet, cake, balloons, party hats, party animals, animal, dog, Happy Birthday, birthday party, kids party, Brooklyn, color, colors, pastel, pastels, home decor, character, characters, character design, celebration, original painting, lion, tiger, elephant, Giraffe, theme, themed party, party theme, safari, safari animals, neighborhood, green, pink, family, clown, big top, big apple, city, urban, interior, vintage, retro
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The Beginnings of a Birthday Scene

June 21, 2016

Little watercolor faces singing Happy Birthday & blowing out candles at a party. An early peek at the companion piece for my illustration, The Neighborhood.

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags birthday, watercolor, watercolour, illustration, painting, happy, happy birthday, kids, children, whimsical, cute, portrait, gouache, mixed media, multimedia, wip, sneak peek, painting process, process, work in progress, art, artwork, birth, party, animals, dog, fun, playing, yellow, picture book, illustrator, artist, artists on tumblr, artists of tumblr, artsy, character, character design, characters, sweet, whimsy, surreal, friends, friendship, details of paintings
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The Neighborhood

June 16, 2016

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!

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags painting, watercolor, watercolour, watercolor illustration, watercolor painting, mixed media, multimedia, gouache, water color, original painting, new york, ny, nyc, new york city, brooklyn, apartment, apartment buidlings, apartments, street, street art, illustration, illustrator, Children's Art, children's book, children's illustration, stork, mailman, picture book, characters, character design, bird, feathers, post, postman, brownstone, brick, houses, house, home, playing, kids, children, boy, boys, girl, girls, kids lit, kid lit art, Kids Lit Art, nature, urban, urban landscape, city, city life, big apple, big city, row houses, hopscotch, scooter, hula hoop, cherry trees, trees, flowers, blossoms, floral, parents, father, mother, balloons, birthday, party, woodland, anthro, anthropomorphic, animals in clothes, Animals In Clothes, neighbors, neighborhood, friends, friendship, art, artsy, artwork, artists on Tumblr, artists of tumblr, creative, design, graphic design, pencil, graphite, surreal, whimsical, whimsy, birds, sidewalk, paper, happy, sweet, cute, animals, animal, flight, delivery, baby
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Sneak Peek Part II: The Neighborhood

June 15, 2016

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!

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags wip, work in progress, artists on Tumblr, artists of tumblr, art, artsy, children, nyc, new york, new york city, brooklyn, brick, process, painting process, painting, paint, artist, illustrator, illustration, kid lit art, kids, Kids Lit Art, neighbors, neighborhood, street, play, playing, pastel, color, colors, watercolor, watercolour, watercolor illustration, watercolor painting, water color, gouache, mixed media, multimedia, pink, red, green, trees, nature, urban, urban landscape, street art, photo, photography, picture, picture book, animals, stork, bird, mail, letter, woodland, anthro, anthropomorphic, cute, sweet, whimsical, birds, feathers, flight, birthday, balloons, modern, quirky, characters, character design, fashion, kids fashion, girl, girls, boy, boys, parents, mother, father, friends, friendship, big apple, big city, city, city life, suburban, suburbs, row houses, house, houses, home, sidewalk, cherry trees, pencil, graphite, sketch, sketchbook, work, artwork, surreal, sneak peek
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Sneak Peek: The Neighborhood

June 14, 2016

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. 

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags watercolor, illustration, painting, wip, work in progress, nature, brooklyn, new york, mixed media, children, urban, landscape, floral, cherry trees, process, detail, gouache, pencil, graphite, city, big apple, kids, Kids Lit Art, kid lit art, children's book, Children's Art, children's illustration, illustrator, watercolor illustration, paint, multimedia, red, pink, trees, street, art, scene, neighborhood, neighbors, culture, stork, surreal, whimsical, whimsy, anthro, anthropomorphic, sweet, cute, animals, Animals In Clothes, sneak peek, artists of tumblr, artists on Tumblr, creative, suburban, NY, party, birthday, mother, child, brownstone, apartments, big city, city life, modern, new york ny, ny, street art, artwork, artist, graphic design, character, characters, character design, picture book, kids lit, kid lit, painting process, details of paintings, pastel, fashion, flowers, colors, colorful, photo, photography, picture, house, houses, row house, row houses, town house, apartment, apartment buidlings, buildings, brick
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Feature: Etsy's Seller Handbook

June 8, 2016

I had a pleasant surprise this morning as I clicked on my newest Etsy Newsletter to read, I was then greeted by an illustration of my own! My pencil- riding-goggle-wearing aviator girl & her adventurous bear accompanied their 4 Ways to Finance Your Business's Growth article.  You can read it here!

Thank you to the lovely Taylor Combs (a writer and editor for Etsy's Seller Handbook) for selecting my illustration Head in the Clouds to be showcased with her helpful & inspiring article. 

(Also, I have prints available of this piece in my shop on Etsy, of course!)

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags Etsy, seller, article, writing, author, illustration, illustrator, artist, makers, diy, handmade, entrepreneur, picture book, children, surreal, children's art, children's illustration, nature, whimsical, cute, wildlife, bear, aviator, aviation, goggle, goggles, flying, flight, pencil, graphite, watercolor, water colour, acrylic, mixed media, creative, graphic design, character, character design, banner, clouds, head in the clouds, dream, day dreamer, dreamer, handbook, shop, self employed, artisan, craft, craftsman, finance, money, management, business, financial, dreams, small business
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A Stork and a Baby

May 31, 2016

It's been a pleasant mixture of sketching, dreaming, and holiday shenanigans this past week... 

Here's a small snippet of a stork and a baby. 

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags draw, drawing, sketch, sketchbook, sketching, graphite, pencil, charcoal, black and white, b & w, b&w, black & white, stork, bird, surreal, cute, whimsical, work in progress, WIP, sneak peek, detail, details of paintings, close-up, baby, toddler, child, children, nursery, character, character design, babies, kids, kids lit, kids lit art, kid lit art, kid lit, children's art, picture book, storybook, artists on Tumblr, artwork, art, artists on tumblr, artists of tumblr, artsy, fairy tale, postman, whimsy, anthro, anthropomorphic, Animals In Clothes, nature, wildlife, charming
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The Town Mouse & the Country Mouse: Dollhouse

May 23, 2016

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!

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags mice, mouse, field mouse, nature, wildlife, animals, animals in clothes, anthro, anthropomorphic, surreal, fairy tale, aesops, aesops fables, fable, tale, classic, storybook, aesop's, aesop's fables, literature, literary, vintage, country, town, dollhouse, miniatures, miniature, doll house, house, home, decor, home decor, victorian, cottage decor, cottage, country living, country life, food, fashion, dining room, cute, sweet, illustration, children's book, childrens illustration, children's art, kids lit art, kid lit art, classic book, book worm, book nerd, art, artists on tumblr, watercolor, watercolour, water color, watercolor illustration, painting, illustrator, mixed media, gouache, charcoal, woodland, rustic, children, kids, city, city life, big city, birthday, toy, toys, kids toy, kids toys, vintage toy, children's decor, nursery, picture book, artists of tumblr, paper, pencil, graphite

The Town Mouse & the Country Mouse: Blackberries

May 20, 2016

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.

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags country, town, city, picture book, aesop's fables, fable, aesop, classic, literature, storybook, mouse, mice, field mouse, nature, wildlife, blackberry, blackberries, food, jam, jellies, preserves, anthro, anthropomorphic, animals, animals in clothes, vintage, victorian, retro, rustic, surreal, fairy tale, childrens illustration, children's art, children's book, kids lit art, kid lit art, graphic design, home, house, decor, home decor, classic book, book, story, art, painting, gouache, watercolor, watercolor painting, watercolor illustration, watercolour, water color, mixed media, charcoal, cottage, country living, english countryside, country life, Aesop's, tale, herbs, kitchen, preserving, homesteading, cozy, cute, sweet, artwork, artists of tumblr, artists on Tumblr, illustration, illustrator, artsy, artist, fashion, woodland
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Mouses & Houses

May 17, 2016

On my plate this week: Mouses & Houses

 

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags mouse, kid lit art, kids lit art, fairy tale, storybook, watercolor, gouache, mixed media, WIP, work in progress, watercolor illustration, painting, painting process, picture book, mice, animals in clothes, anthro, anthropomorphic, sweet, cute, nature, wildlife, children's book, children's art, childrens illustration, illustration, paint, close up, process, details of paintings, detail, vintage, interior, design, home decor, house, home, cottage, retro, victorian, girl, sneak peek, art, artwork, artist, artists of tumblr, water color, water colour, sketch, sketchbook, green, color, colors, animals, Animals In Clothes, kids, children, watercolor painting, artists on Tumblr, surreal, book, classic, field mouse
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