Lucky Charms are Magically Delicious is a graphic by the US-American artist Katherine Bernhardt.

Since first attracting notice in the early 2000s, Katherine Bernhardt has been widely regarded as one of the most energetic painters working today. In the decade following, the artist expanded her visual motif from supermodels to quotidian objects and figures. Through her index of images—which have included tacos, toilet paper, cigarettes, and the Pink Panther, to name just a few—Bernhardt chronicles her life and the broader culture, taking pleasure in fully investigating each of her obsessions before moving onto another. Born and based in St. Louis, MO, the artist’s work has been exhibited at prestigious venues around the world, and can be found in public collections that include The Brant Foundation, New York, NY; the Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, PA; High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA; Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington, DC; Rubell Museum, Miami, FL; and the San Antonio Museum of Art, San Antonio, TX.

In Lucky Charms are Magically Delicious, the primary character of the iconic movie E.T. (1982) is surrounded by the marshmallow cereal pieces instantly recognizable to American consumers. Described as having a massive influence during Bernhardt’s childhood, E.T.’s character first appeared in paintings created during the artist’s undergraduate career at the Art Institute of Chicago, and has been a recurring figure ever since. The work’s title is a direct reference to the slogan popularized by the cereal brand’s cartoon leprechaun mascot, tapping into viewers’ collective childhood nostalgia. Distinguished from the brown background by a thin, yellow contour, the central figure stares outward, with an ambiguous expression that counterbalances the image’s inherent playfulness.

Katherine Bernhardt’s lithograph “Lucky Charms are Magically Delicious” captures a whimsical and nostalgic fusion of pop culture and everyday life. The artwork prominently features the beloved extraterrestrial character, E.T., set against a colorful backdrop of Lucky Charms marshmallow cereals. Bernhardt’s distinctive style, characterized by bold colors and playful patterns, breathes life into the composition, creating a sense of joyful exuberance.

E.T., with his iconic glowing finger and curious, endearing expression, is depicted amidst an explosion of vibrant marshmallow shapes—hearts, stars, moons, and clovers—that are synonymous with the classic cereal. This juxtaposition of an iconic film character with a beloved breakfast staple evokes a sense of childlike wonder and nostalgia, reminding viewers of the magic and imagination of childhood.

Bernhardt’s use of vivid, almost neon hues and her loose, expressive brushwork lend a dynamic energy to the piece. The lithograph blurs the lines between high art and popular culture, a hallmark of Bernhardt’s work. By integrating such familiar and beloved elements, she creates an immediate connection with the viewer, inviting them to revel in the playful and surreal world she has crafted.

“Lucky Charms are Magically Delicious” is more than just a nostalgic nod to the past; it is a celebration of the joy found in simple, everyday pleasures and the fantastical worlds they can create. Bernhardt’s lithograph stands as a testament to her ability to infuse ordinary objects with extraordinary significance, transforming them into vibrant, engaging works of art.