Interview With Illustrator Gretchen Ellen Powers
We all have a children’s book that we fell in love with as wee ones. Maybe we particularly enjoyed its sweet storyline, or maybe we loved its noble protagonist, or maybe we couldn’t get enough of its perfectly whimsical illustrations — and if we’re honest, there’s a part of us that wishes such illustrations were a more normal part of the books we now read as adults (illustrated edition of Pride and Prejudice, anyone?). The art and images we consume as children from our favorite children’s books have the power to shape us well into adulthood.
Gretchen Ellen Powers is an artist and illustrator living in Michigan who creates the kind of lovely, captivating, charming illustrations we all would’ve spent hours looking at, and even attempting to recreate ourselves, as children.
Not surprisingly, with such a unique talent for creating beautiful illustrations, she was chosen to illustrate the first-ever fully illustrated edition of The Boxcar Children, released in 2017, for the 75th anniversary of its release. Since then, she’s released yet another delightful children’s book, Summer’s Call.
According to Gretchen, her greatest hope as an artist is to, “tell a story through [her] brush.” — and we think she has accomplished just that.
Read on for our full interview with her.
Q: At Wallflower Journal, we love seeing women find their purpose and passion. How did you first realize you were an artist, and what made you decide to pursue it as a career?
A: As a little girl I was always walking around with a set of crayons or my little purse stuffed to the brim with pieces of paper. When I felt the Lord calling to pursue my art as a lifetime passion, I was overjoyed, because it’s something I've always wanted to do... I honestly feel like I get to play instead of work everyday, and I couldn’t be more blessed!
Q: What is something you love about creating illustrations specifically for children’s books?
A: Children’s books have such an incredible gift of reaching into the hearts and minds of young readers and inspiring them or transporting them to other worlds! The imagination is such a gift from our Heavenly Father! With illustrating books for children (or the young in heart) I just feel so blessed to be a part of that miraculous journey!
Q: What are the children’s books that you grew up on that inspire your work the most?
A: Beatrix Potter has always been a huge influence on my work, I’ve adored her wee books since I was very small! They were actually the very first books my Momma ever read to me!
Q: What’s your favorite book?
A: Hands down, the Bible! But as far as fictional works goes, I read “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens every December and I have been in love with “Peter Pan” by J.M. Barrie since I was young (I’ve always hoped to given the opportunity to illustrate it one day!)
Q: Tell us more about any projects you’ve been working on and where readers can find you and your work.
A: Currently I’m in the midst of an unannounced picture book, I couldn’t be more excited to share it with the world soon! But for right now it’s still all very hush, hush... My latest book, Summer’s Call, came out this past summer, and seeing it be so thoroughly enjoyed has been such a gift in itself to me! I’m also designing some exclusive patterns for leggings through a charming children’s clothing company, and that is always such a fun experience to see my illustrated friends romping around on the adventures of the little tikes who are sporting them!
You can find my work at gretchenellenpowers.com or follow along with me and my friends on Instagram @gretchenellenpowers — and I also want to thank you ever so much for the opportunity to be featured, and share my words like this, God bless you!
