Shepard Style Illustration Appraisal

Watercolor Illustration After E.H. Shepard by Donna Woerheide

This item is a vertical watercolor and ink illustration on paper, executed by the artist Donna Woerheide, based on the classic original drawings of E.H. Shepard for A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh series. The piece features a whimsical processional scene with iconic characters including Winnie-the-Pooh, Christopher Robin, and several woodman characters descending a grassy slope. The artwork is characterized by delicate line work and a soft color palette consistent with early 20th-century storybook illustrations, utilizing pale washes of yellow, orange, and blue. Measuring approximately 12-14 inches in length, the piece is mounted on a light gray mat board with a thin orange-brown border accentuating the vertical composition. Hand-written attribution text is visible along the lower left edge, clearly stating 'Donna Woerheide from drawings by E.H. Shepard.' The paper shows minor signs of aging, including a slight warming of the base tone, but the pigments remain clear. The craftsmanship reflects a dedicated folk art or tribute style, capturing the lighthearted essence of the source material with careful attention to the original character designs. It appears to be an mid-to-late 20th-century creation, preserved in good overall condition with no visible tears or significant foxing.