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! ♥ ❤ 

The Magical Story Hour

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.

Building Friendships

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)

You're the Apple of My Eye

You're the Apple of My Eye   11"x14"  watercolor on paper

This happy trio has spent the afternoon in the apple orchard, picking apples, reading, taking the occasional photograph, and (as the evidence of blankets and baskets would suggest) enjoying a hearty picnic lunch. There really is no sweeter way to pass a day than this.

On this cold and wintery January day, I am most certainly with them in my heart of hearts.

Bon Voyage!!

Wishing happy trails to this original that has just been sent off to its new home! 
I'll miss these little trick-or-treaters, good luck out there guys!!

Hope is the Thing with Feathers

Hope is the Thing with Feathers   watercolor & ink on paper

“Hope” is the thing with feathers - 

That perches in the soul -

And sings the tune without the words - 

And never stops - at all -" -Emily Dickinson

Picnics in Winter

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The beginnings of things.

Also, my thoughts are officially on spring now thanks to this fun little picnic taking place.

Winter Sketching

Sketching in the wee hours by lamplight. Fueled by cup after cup of Tetley tea.

Making Friends with Furry Friends: Hello

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.

Santa's Little Helpers

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.

The Caroling Troupe

"The Caroling Troupe"   watercolor & ink on paper

Spreading some much needed holiday cheer in a forest near you.

Fox Mitten

Fox Mitten   7"x7"   watercolor on paper

This little guy wraps up my series, Smitten with the Mitten. It's probably no secret, owing to my deep love of foxes, that this is the painting I am the most smitten with in this set. Gingerbread men dancing above his head, and soon sugar plums will be dancing in our dreams and hearts. 

We're getting so close to Christmas, I can barely stand it! The jolly old elf himself is probably making his list, soon it will be getting checked twice, cross your fingers that you make the list. I know this little fox has most certainly been good all year, he's a definite add to the nice list, if you want my recommendation Santa!

Bear Mitten

Bear Mitten   7"x7"  watercolor on paper

Our bear friend has quite a large sweet tooth, he's a gentle giant and will never turn down an opportunity for candy. He's one of my favorites from my series Smitten with the Mitten.

Confession: I'm a bit jealous of his red mittens, and I'll admit that I wish they were real so I could snatch up a pair for myself! I can picture a jolly elf sporting a set of those mittens as well. 

Deer Mitten

Deer Mitten   7"x7"  watercolor on paper

Next in line of my series Smitten with the Mitten, is this little deer. Those big ears of hers are just right to hear the ringing of bells from Santa's sleigh. She may not be a reindeer, but she has some Christmas bells of her own.

Her favorite song is Silver Bells. Here's a few lines in case you'd like to sing along:

Silver bells, (silver bells) silver bells (silver bells)
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, (ring-a-ling)
Hear them ring, (hear them ring)
Soon it will be Christmas day

Bunny Mitten

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! 

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!

Sneak Peek: Visions of Sugar Plums

A progress shot and sneak peek at some hand-painted Christmas ornaments. I will be offering these for a limited time only. Each original painted globe is one of a kind, and will be available for $100 + S & H.

I am enjoying this process so much, and I imagine that this is what it must feel like to be an elf at the North Pole.  Fa la la la la la.