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Gretchen Ellen Powers

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Commission: Happy Together

October 15, 2018

Happy Together // Commissioned Work:

I had the most fun depicting this sweet gal & her beau as their favorite animal: The Collie.

(A fun note: That lovely Lassie (sorry couldn’t help myself!) is wearing a designer dress from the most adorable fashion line of prairie dresses by Batsheva Hay recently featured in Vogue, The Guardian & The New Yorker)

Also here are their two donkey friends, Frances & Damascus. They most certainly are, Happy Together!

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags fashion, vogue, the new yorker, new york, prairie, Batsheva Hay, fashion week, fashion illustration, art, fashion art, high fashion, feminine, dress, dresses, design, designer, designer clothes, designer dress, designer fashion, illustration, illustrator, kid lit, kid lit art, nature, collie, collies, Lassie, donkey, laddie, portrait, family portrait, happy together, sweet, cute, animals, animal, children's book, childrens illustration, children's illustration, children's art, childrens art, kidlit, kidlitart, commission, commission portrait, custom, custom portrait, custom work, i love my job, work, painting, artwork, fine art, traditional art, original art, sold, Gretchen Ellen Powers, The New Yorker, country, country living, watercolor, the guardian, The Guardian, Stella, character design, home decor, decor, art deco, graphic design, designed, bride and groom, love, romance, family, friends
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Learning Curves

September 30, 2018

Learning Curves

Generational Learning at its finest, with a Grandfather teaching his Grandson something old and then in turn the grandson teaches his Grandfather something new!

You’re never too old or too young for learning!

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags japan, japanese, asia, asian american, Asian American, Grandfather, Grandson, family, family values, learn, learning, generation, generational learning, homeschool, homeschooling, unschool, unschooling, learning around the world, world, culture, tradtion, traditional, learning from eachother, diversity, teavh, teach, teacher, teaching, grandparents, Grandparents Day, learning curves, bonsai, bonsai tree, gardening, garden, horticulture, nature, peace, games, video games, playing, fun, kids, old man, asian, kimono, kimono robe, kimono dress, living room, home, decor, cultures, mentor, mentoring, mentorship, nintendo, vintage, gaming, gamer, old school, new school, drawing, illustration, illo, illustrator, painting, Japanese watercolor, watercolor, art, artist, Gretchen Ellen Powers, children's art, children's artist, children's illustration, children's illustrator, kidlit, kidlitart, kid lit, kid lit art, world culture, world travel, travel, heritage, family heritage, family tree, ancestor, ancestry, friends, friendship, samurai, old ways, new ways
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Ice Cream Social

September 20, 2018

Ice Cream Social

The fun keeps rolling when an elephant on a bicycle is serving up your favorite sweet treat!

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags ice cream, elephant, painting, illustration, illustrator, childrens illustration, kids, kid lit art, paint, design, artwork, original, original artwork, Children's Art, kidlitart, kid lit, ice cream social, nature, animals, animal, quirky, cute, sweet, treat, treats, sweet treats, fun', drawing, sketch, Gretchen Ellen Powers, children's illustration, children's illustrator, balloons, vegan, vegetarian, children, kid, baby, girl, vintage, retro, bicycle
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Bearly Floating

September 12, 2018

It's hard to stay afloat after so many snacks and tropical punches (he's Bearly Floating as it is!) But this bear is doing it, and making a big splash into the holiday weekend!

He hopes you're enjoying the last bits of summer too! 

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags bear, summer, fun, floating, beach, pool, animals, cute, quirky, relax, illustration, painting, art, artist, illustrator, nature, animal, kid lit, kid lit art, kidlit, kidlitart, children's illustration, children's art, childrens illustration, kids, children, sketch, sketchbook, paint, tradtional art, artwork, original, fantasy art, sweet, holiday, summer fun, Gretchen Ellen Powers, brown bear
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The Afternoon Safari

July 27, 2018

"The Afternoon Safari"

A girl and her dog spending the afternoon in a safari hunt. With a little imagination, the houseplants become a jungle, and the family cat has no idea what he's in for. 

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags imagination, adventure, fun, play, imagine, believe, africa, jungle, lion, cat, kitten, kitty, dog, puppy, pets, pretend, pretending, playing, houseplants, plants, make believe, dreaming, having fun, kids, girl, children, kid lit, kid lit art, kidlit, kidlitart, illustration, illo, Children's Art, children's illustration, illustrator, art, artwork, picture book illustrator, picture book, picture book artist, creative, design, character, character design, watercolor, painting, drawing, childrens illustration, jungle safari, Gretchen Ellen Powers, Gretchen E Powers, Gretchen Powers, tugeau 2, Tugeau2, Nicole Tugeau, irish wolfhound, hound, hound dog, big dog, friends, friend, friendship, the thrill of the hunt, nature, ferns, succulents, plant, interior
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Treats For Tricks

June 22, 2018

Treats for Tricks   watercolor on paper

Busy about new circus tricks, who needs a "Flea Circus" when you have your own beetle?

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags illustration, painting, art, artwork, artist, illustrator, kid lit, kid lit art, picture book artist, artsy, design, character, character design, nature, naturalist, children's illustration, children's art, children, kids, girl, bug, bugs, circus, clown, trick, tricks, new tricks, flea circus, beetles, rhino beetle, quirky, cute, sweet, eccentric, naturalism, surreal, whimsu, whimsy, whimsical, happy, fun, play, pretend, spring, summer, watercolor, watercolour, watercolors, illo, traditional, traditional media, traditional art, new work, graphic design, pink, vintage, retro, strawberry, strawberries, fruit, vegetarian, vegan, dutch, dutch girl, dutchgirl, netherlands, holland, wooden shoes, clogs, europe
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I See the Moon

June 1, 2018

I See the Moon   watercolor on paper

Stargazing is her favorite hobby.

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags moon, man in the moon, cute, sweet, vintage, rabbit, bunny, telescope, stars, star gazing, stargazing, constellation, astronomy, lepus, lupus, charming, 1920s, jazz age, jazz, animals in clothes, whimsy, whimsical, Gretchen Ellen Powers, Gretchen Powers, kid lit, kid lit art, picture book art, picture book artist, character design, design, classic, retro, sketchbook, sketch, drawing, watercolor, watercolur, watercolour, watercolors, paint, painting, nature, floral, flowers, pretty, girly, girlie, surreal, magic, magical, dream, dreaming, dreamer, day dream, head in the clouds, love, i love you to the moon and back, illo, illustrator, illustration, children's art, childrens illustration, kids, girl, children, pink, blue, white, hobby, hobbies, fun, playing, pretend, believe, original, original art, artwork, artist
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It's Only a Paper Moon

May 30, 2018

Paper Moon   watercolor on paper

'It is only a paper moon
Hanging over a cardboard sea
But it wouldn't be make believe
If you believe in me...
' -Nat King Cole, It's Only a Paper Moon

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags it's only a paper moon, paper moon, paper, moon, crescent, bunny, bunnies, rabbit, rabbits, cute, whimsy, whimsical, retro, photograph, photo, photography, sweetheart, sweet hearts, love, bunny rabbit, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, fashion, old fashion, old fashioned, watercolor, watercolors, watercolur, painting, paint, art, artwork, artist, illustrator, illustation, illo, character design, character, kid lit, kid lit art, sweet, picture book, picture book artist, children's art, children's illustration, happy, fun, nat king cole, jazz, jazz age, animals in clothes, animals, music, song, stars, surreal, fantasy, fantasy art, fantasy illustration, friends, Gretchen Ellen Powers, Gretchen Powers, sketchbook, sketch, drawing, design, kids, girl, boy, children
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Peter Pan: Book Cover & Interior Spot Illustration

May 20, 2018

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! ” 

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In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags Peter Pan, J M Barrie, Barrie, James Matthew Barriw, James Matthew Barrie, J. M. Barrie, Book, books, book cover, illustration, book design, chidlren's book, kids book, kid lit, kid lit art, kidlit, kidlitart, children's book, children's books, children's literature, Children's Art, children's illustration, childrens art, childrens illustration, childrens book, read, reading, classic, story book, story, storybook, fairy, fairies, pixie, pixies, tinkerbell, Peter, Pan, fantasy, fantasy art, pirate, pirates, Captain, Pirate Captain, Captain Hook, Hook, James Hook, vintage, retro, illo, illustrator, characters, character design, cute, kids, children, nana, st bernard, dog, flying, magic, magical, whimsy, whimsical, charming, character, spot, spot illustration, fly, flight, fantasy illustration, watercolor, line work, linework, black and white
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Mother Goose: Little Bo Peep

May 9, 2018

Mother Goose: Little Bo Peep   watercolor on paper

She may have lost them in the past, but this Little Bo Peep is full of gumption and confidence, and sure of herself; she's keeping a close eye on her flock. Friends stick together after all. 

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags farm, farmer, country, country living, farm life, sheep, sherperd, mother goose, nursery, nursery rhymes, Nursery Rhyme, watercolor, watercolors, art, artist, artwork, nature, woodland, sweet, kidlit, kidlitart, kid lit, kid lit art, illustrator, childrens illustration, childrens book, character, character design, vintage, retro, girly, girl, animals, cute, poem, classic, book, books, tale, story, storybook, mothergoose, goose, pink, design, drawing, original, original art, original painting, children's book, fairy tale, story book, story time, reading, read, girl power, lamb, lambs, spring, springtime, Easter, Happy Easter, charming, whimsy, whimsical, quirky, Gretchen Ellen Powers, picture book, picture book illustrator, fantasy, fantasy art, originals, traditional, traditional media, draw, little bo peep, reading love, characters, pinafore, fashion, clothing, friends, happy, friendship, best friends, furry friends, barnyard, barn, barn yard, graphic design, decor, kids, children, Children's Art, children's illustration, mother goose nursery rhyme, mother goose nursery, Mother Goose, bo peep, Mother goose nursery, mother goose nursery rhymes, mother goose nursery rhymes book, shepherdess, shepherd, flock, meadow, pasture, farmland, farm land, farm girl, country life, countryside, country girl
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Friend Ship

April 30, 2018

Friend Ship   watercolor on paper

Even when sailing through stormy weather and rough waters, the Friend Ship holds fast and strong!

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags boat, children's book, children's book week, children's books, kid lit, kid lit art, kidlit, kidlitart, illustration, illustrator, painting, water, sea, ocean, nautical, sailor, kids, children, sailing, pelican, bird, ship, boats, fish, fishing, whale, storm, we're all in the same boat, illo, creative, drawing, watercolor, watercolour, watercolors, paint, art, artist, artwork, original, original art, fantasy, fairy tale, fairytale, story, storybook, children's illustration, children's art, book, books, literature, read, reading, kids book, book week, school, school library, school library journal, Gretchen Ellen Powers, Gretchen E Powers, Gretchen Powers, slj, April, April Showers, spring, cute, sweet, rustic, vintage, book worm, friendship, team work, working, work, working together, happy, fun, imagination, friends, friend, friend ship, Friendship, surreal, sea faring, captain, newspaper, news, the friend ship, quirky, watercolor illustration, draw, studio, childrens book week, one world many stories, world, adventure, adventures, library, reader
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Bobby Brock

April 4, 2018

Bobby Brock   watercolor on paper

This is Bobby Brock. He's a shy young badger, but he's also a wonderful friend, and he loves to cloud-paint.

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags badger, woodland, animals, animal, brock, england, british, britain, great britain, sweet, friends, kids, children, childrens art, children's illustration, children's art, kid lit, kid lit art, kidlit, kidlitart, nature, wildlife, friendship, happy, spring, anthro, anthropomorphic, animals in clothes, fashion, vintage, retro, charming, whimsy, whimsical, springtime, Springtime, watercolor, watercolors, watercolour, watercolours, Bobby, boy, paper, illustration, illustrator, painting, art, artwork, original, original painting, traditional media, original artwork, fantasy, fantasy art, aquarelle, Gretchen Ellen Powers
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Simon Squirrel

April 3, 2018

Simon Squirrel   watercolor on paper

There's no nut he finds too tough to crack. To be sure, he's one smart squirrel.

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags squirrel, grey squirrel, cute, smart, nut, nerd, geek, geeky, nerdy, watercolor, watercolour, watercolors, illustration, illustrator, kid lit, kid lit art, art, artwork, artist, simon, paper, watercolours, aquarelle, drawing, sketch, sketchbook, childrens art, children's illustration, Children's Art, childrens illustration, woodland, woodland animals, forest, rustic, anthro, anthropomorphic, glasses, book worm, book nerd, plaid, genius, eccentric, blue, red, surreal, fantasy, fantasy art, charming, wildlife, animals, Animals In Clothes, Gretchen Ellen Powers, illo, character, character design, creative, blog, studio
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Fun & Games

April 2, 2018

Fun & Games   watercolor on paper

Croquet is so much more fun when a hedgehog friends decides to come along for the ride and join in. It is all fun and games afterall.

In Art & Illustration (mine) Tags fox, red fox, croquet, summer, yard, yard games, happy, fun, kids, play, playing, girl, vintage, toy, cute, sweet, nature, wildlife, woodland, foxes, red foxes, charming, whimsy, whimcial, golf, outdoors, rustic, forest, games, game, purple, watercolor, watercolors, art, illustration, illustrator, Gretchen Ellen Powers, GEP, illo, kid lit, kid lit art, drawing, doodle, watercolour, aquarelle, sketch, artist, watercolor painting, artwork, original art, original, character, character design, design
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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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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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