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Gretchen Ellen Powers

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Original Painting: The Key to My Heart (Light Grey Art Lab's Arbortetum)

March 28, 2018

My original painting, The Key to My Heart, is currently on display at Light Grey Art Lab for their Arboretum exhibition! I am so very excited to partake in this enchancting collection, and to be exhibted along with so many talented and nature-inspired artists!!

If you're interested in acquiring this original piece of mine, please contact the gallery for information: gallery@lightgreyartlab.com, purchase it in their online shop, or pop into the gallery to view it in person now until April 20th!

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags light grey art lab, gallery, gallery show, exhibtion, original, original painting, original art, artwork, artist, artsy, creative, minneapolis, mn, minnesota, LGAL, Arboretum, spring, spring collection, collection, exhibit, gallery art, home decor, wall art, photo, photograph, photography, wild, wildlife, nature, rustic, bird, aviary, surreal, naturalist, naturalism, minimal, minimalist, minimalism, miniature, framed, shadow box, wings, sparrow, chickadee, modern, white, green, wood, boho, bohomenian, gypsy, key, vintage, birds, bird art, songbird, love bird, heart, love, romance, romantic, sweet, sweetheart, hearts, i love you, originals, original artwork, artists, artists of tumblr, artists on Tumblr, art lab, grey, curated, midwest, plains, great lakes, shop, watercolor, watercolors, watercolour, mixed media, traditional, traditional media, hand painted, painting, paint, watercolours, aquarelle, drawing, draw, sketch
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Tribute: JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH - Book Cover

March 26, 2018

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.

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags knopf, a a knopf, alfred a knopf, publisher, publishing, James and the Giant Peach, James & the giant peach, Roald Dahl, childrens book, children's book, kid lit art, kid lit, kidlit, kidlitart, peach, peaches, classic, storybook, book, books, children's books, children's classic book, fairytale, fairy tlae, fairy tale, illustrator, illustration, watercolor, typography, book cover, book cover design, hand lettering, graphic design, creative, drawing, painting, art, artwork, children, kids, elementary, fiction, insects, fruit, 1960s, calligraphy, house, dark, spooky, book covers, tribute, fan art, fanart, designs, pink, coral
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The Key to My Heart

March 23, 2018

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!

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags Light Grey Art Lab, gallery, gallery show, nature, spring, woodland, botany, botanical, bird, birds, love bird, watercolor, watercolors, watercolour, Mother Nature, charming, whimsy, whimsi, whimsical, heart, love birds, key, romance, woodland wedding, rustic, woods, forest, garden, country, midwest, minimalist, mini, minimal, minimalism, reception, art gallery, original, original painting, original art, fantasy art, Gretchen Ellen Powers, illustration, painting, paint, wall art, home decor, science, genetics, artwork, fine art, shop, midwest living, midwestern, white, design, graphic design, cute, springtime, green, gardening, plant life, birdie, song bird, songbird, skeleton key, vintage, antique, aviation, flight, feathers, wings, magic, magical
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Humpty Dumpty: Had a Great Fall

March 22, 2018

Humpty Dumpty: Had a Great Fall   watercolor on paper

"Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, 

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall,

All the King's horses and all the King's men,

Couldn't put Humpty together again." -Mother Goose Nursery Rhyme

In the last picture we saw Humpty Dumpty in all of his vanity, he was clearly head-over-heels for himself. Now he's head over heels, over and over, again as he tumbles down from his high opinion of himself (not to mention that towering wall!) 

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags illustration, illustrator, painting, paint, watercolor, watercolour, watercolors, original art, art, artwork, fantasy, fantasy art, Mother Goose, picture book art, picture book, picture, book, picture book artist, picture book illustrator, Mother goose nursery, mother goose nursery rhyme, nursery, Nursery Rhyme, cute, egg, Easter, easter egg, easter eggs, spring, happy spring, Humpty, Humpty Dumpty, Dumpty, quircky, character, character design, graphic design, classic, falling, motion, action, layout, design, artist, drawing, classic book, fairy tale, fairytale, tale, storybook, story, story book, nursery rhymes, baby, babies, sweet, whimsy, whimsical
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Humpty Dumpty: Sat on a Wall

March 21, 2018

Humpty Dumpty: Sat on a Wall   watercolor on paper

"Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, 

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall,

All the King's horses and all the King's men,

Couldn't put Humpty together again." -Mother Goose Nursery Rhyme

There he is, Humpty Dumpty in all of his glory, he thinks he's really something. Well, pride cometh before a fall, and as arrogant as this chap is, I think we all know what to EGGspect next! 

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags Mother Goose, rhyme, nursery, Nursery Rhyme, vintage, egg, easter, easter egg, mother goose nursery, mother goose nursery rhyme, Humpty Dumpty, humpty, dumpty, childrens illustration, childrens art, picture book, storybook, story, classic, poem, poet, poetry, vintage book, retro, classic book, kid lit, kid lit art, kidlit, kidlitart, children, kids, cute, whimsy, whimsical, babies, baby, childhood, quirky, book, books, illustration, illustrator, art, artwork, artist, picture book illustrator, watercolor, watercolour, painting, traditional, traditional media, drawing, set, series, nursery rhymes, original art, fashion
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The Wearing of the Green

March 17, 2018

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Lucky me, this wild Irish rose sprang up in my sketchbook. Saint Patrick's Day in our household has always been a fun celebration. I'm greatly looking forward to the cabbage and carrots and potatoes!

Hope you remember to do your wearing of the green and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags Happy St Patrick's Day, St patricks day, st patrick's day, irish, ireland, wearing of the green, erin go bragh, green, leprechaun, red head, lass, girl, four leaf clover, shamrock, red, claddagh, necklace, character, character design, illustration, illustrator, watercolor, watercolors, children, kids, drawing, mixed media, painting, paint, sketchbook, sketch, march, march 17th, vintage, retro, kiss me I'm irish
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Charlotte's Web: Then & Now

March 13, 2018
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This cherished copy of Charlotte's Web was a surprise present from my parents when I was just eight years old. I'm so over-the-moon-happy to have this first edition copy of E. B. White's classic from 1952 by Harper Collins. 

You're never too old to enjoy reading a children's book, and trust me, they only get better the older you get. They really do improve with age!

Here's my well loved copy, next to my book cover tribute to this favorite story of mine!

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags Charlotte's web, painting, illustration, illustrator, e b white, harper collins, 1950s, book, books, classic, literature, nature, farm, farmer, farming, country, country living, spring, children's book, children's illustration, Children's Art, kid lit, kid lit art, kidlit, kidlitart, Gretchen Ellen Powers, story, storybook, elementary, middle grade, middle grade reader, mgr, drawing, watercolor, artist, art, artwork, graphic design, characters, character design, book cover, fan art, original art, book cover design, design, creative, wilbur, charlotte, spider, pig, font, typography, calligraphy, lettering, hand lettering, review, book review, book shelf, book nerd, bibliophile
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Coming Soon: The Key to My Heart Original

March 10, 2018

Packed up and shipped off, this little lass has flown the coop and is offically on her way to Light Grey Art Lab Gallery's: Arborteum Exhibition! And I suppose that makes me an empty-nester now...

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In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags original art, original, original painting, watercolor, watercolour, watercolors, painting, paint, sneak peek, gallery, gallery show, Light Grey Art Lab, arboretum, exhibtion, shop, home decor, wall art, artwork, artist, studio, photo, photograph, photography, artists of tumblr, artists on Tumblr, artsy, creative, graphic design, spring, happy spring, bird, key, heart, love, romance, love bird, surreal, surrealism, mini, minimal, minimalist, minimalism, mineapoils, minnesota, great lakes, midwest, midwest living, midwestern, nature, naturalism, nature study, Mother Nature, woodland, green, spring cleaning, birds, love birds, collection, exhibit, mixed media, illustration, illustrator, traditional media, drawing, draw, woodland animals, rustic, rustic wedding, country, country life, country living, fine art
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Tribute: CHARLOTTE'S WEB - Book Cover

March 8, 2018

"CHARLOTTE'S WEB" by E. B. White - Book Cover

My favorite place to sift through books is- and always has been- in the children's book section of any library or bookstore I stumble into. Last summer my sweet mother started re-reading E. B. White's classic story of Charlotte's Web aloud to my family (my dad, my brother and I) Other than be the luckiest to have that sort of tradition with my family still going on - especially in this digital day and age. I have fallen, once again for Wilbur and Mr. White's world.

Originally published in 1952 by Harper & Row (now Harper Collins) It is still just as sweet, enduring, timeless, and beloved today.

This book cover is my tribute to the talented author and his immortal characters. 

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags Charlotte's web, e b white, e. b. white, classic, classic book, book, books, bookshelf, kid lit, kid lit art, nature, pig, farm, farming, farmer, country, novel, spider, web, wilbur, some pig, hog, piglet, cute, whimsy, whimsical, literature, literary, story, storybook, children's book, kid's book, children's books, children's literature, children's illustration, art, artwork, watercolor, watercolors, watercolor painting, illustration, illustrator, pink, book cover, cover, cover art, book cover design, design, graphic design, character, characters, character design, typography, lettering, type, font, calligraphy, hand lettering, hand painted, sweet, fictional, fairy tale, book art, book covers, traditional, traditional media, paint, painting, tribute, fan art, fanart, original art, original, writer, author, children's author, children's writer, charlotte, salutations, country life, country living, farm life, classic story, classic movie, film, chapter book, middle grade, middle grade reader, elementary, elementary school, read, reading, reader, book worm, book nerd, bookstore, book store, book shop, book club, happy, spring, Springtime, Gretchen Ellen Powers, Harper Collins, publisher, harper collins, timeless
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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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Gallery WIP: Light Grey Art Lab

March 4, 2018

A little progress photo on a spring friend. She's going to be part of Light Grey Art Lab's Show: ARBORETUM

So very thrilled to have been invited to participate in this collection of pieces revolving around botany: genetics, enchanted forests and designed garden spaces

The finished painting will be on display beginning on March 10th. 

Remember to think on spring-y thoughts!

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags art, illustration, gallery, Light Grey Art Lab, show, gallery show, fine art, original, original art, painting, paint, watercolor, watercolour, illustrator, artist, artsy, creative, design, watercolors, watercolours, mixed media, process, painting process, fantasy, fantasy art, graphic design, bird, spring, happy spring, arboretum, nature, wildlife, photo, cute, happy springtime, springtime
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Spring Has Sprung

February 23, 2018

Spring Has Sprung    watercolor on paper

Thoughts of spring are blooming in my mind, and it has already sprung up in my heart. Something tells me that the Easter Bunny might just like a fancy little smock, so I painted one for her and handed her a bouquet. 

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags spring, bunny, rabbit, bunnies, cute, floral, flowers, blue, sweet, charming, whimsy, whimsical, kid lit art, art, artist, illustration, illustrator, painting, watercolor, mixed media, paper, pastel, drawing, scandinavian, nordic, hygge, happy, happy spring, easter, easter bunny, easter eggs, bouquet, woodland, classic, retro, Children's Art, children's illustration, flower, botanical, nature, anthro, surreal, fantasy art, fairy tale, storybook, girl, girly, nursery, childrens illustration, kid lit, Gretchen Ellen Powers, happy first of spring, first of spring, fashion, pink, print, wall art, decor, design, character, character design, garden, gardening, gardener, vegetarian, veggies, flower garden, tulips, tulip, graphic, graphic design, friendly, easter decor, Easter Bunny, Easter Sunday, springtime, Easter, Easter Eggs, happy easter, Happy Easter, cottontail, peter rabbit
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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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Cat's Unhappy Valentine's Day

February 13, 2018

Cat's Unhappy Valentine's Day   watercolor on paper

Sometimes you just don't feel like celebrating little cupids, hearts, and warm-fuzzy feelings. This grumpy cat knows just how you feel, and he's not gonna take it anymore.

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags cat, kitty, kitten, cats, valentine's day, valentines, valentine, animals, heart, love, romance, holiday, grumpy cat, cranky, quirky, hearts, cupid, crank, anti social, happy Valentine's Day, be my valentine, st valentine, surreal, cute, nerdy, nerd, fun, February, february 14, watercolor, watercolour, kids, children, illustration, illustrator, funny, comic, comical, art, artist, artwork, design, graphic design, character, happy, unhappy, paper, drawing, sketch, draw, painting, paint, watercolor art
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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
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