There is nothing quite like discovering an artist who illustrates in a style that truly speaks to your soul and sparks your imagination. This is how I feel when I look at the artwork of Gretchen Jakub Fabre. Her online studio, Chichiboulie, is full of treasures for the young and the young at heart.

Gretchen specializes in personalized paintings (both acrylic and watercolor), birth announcements, party invitations, stationery and commissions. And, news of Gretchen’s delightful artwork is spreading swiftly. In business only a short time, you will already find her artwork on other mediums such as fabric and lovely ink stamps. Lucky for us all, Gretchen’s life is full of inspiration. Much of her artwork is inspired by her two daughter and son as well as commissions.

The pieces found within Chichiboulie possess a timeless and magical quality. The first time I saw Gretchen’s work, I was reminded of two of my favorite artists, fairy artist Cicely Mary Barker and modern day illustrator Mary Engelbreit. With a style of her own, Gretchen truly captures innocense and enchantment like few others can. So, you can imagine my excitement when I found that Gretchen had time to work in a commission for my daughter. I knew that she alone could perfectly capture the magic and innocense of Lily Cait. Not only am I over the moon about the finished product, but it was a great pleasure working with Gretchen.

I smile every time I look at our sweet Lily Cait fairy. I think the words of poet Francis Thompson describe Gretchen’s artwork perfectly. “Know you what it is to be a child? It is to be something very different from the man of today. It is to have a spirit yet streaming from the waters of baptism, it is to believe in love, to believe in loveliness, to believe in belief. It is to be so little that the elves can reach to whisper in your ear. It is to turn pumpkins into coaches, and mice into horses, lowness into loftiness and nothing into everything – for each child has his fairy godmother in his own soul.” Gretchen’s artwork expertly captures the beauty and magic found in childhood.

Visit the online portfolio of Gretchen Jakub Fabre where you can learn more about her artwork and where to buy it. Can’t you envision one of her paintings or prints hanging in your nursery, making a party extra sweet with one of her personalized invitations, or making a girlfriend smile with one of her charming cards? Whether you purchase an item in stock or work with Gretchen on a commission, you will surely be delighted.