Win this painting!

Would you like to have this painting? It's an original piece that I just finished and it could be yours!

In honor of this 4th of July and as a proud American, I am auctioning this off with 100% of the proceeds to go to DonorsChoose, an organization that funds needy schools, one classroom at a time.

This painting is done in gouache and is 5.5 x 5.5.

Obviously, this 4th of July, I have some mixed feeling about being American...or maybe more about how America feels about me. I think that much of the anger and fear today is because people are afraid that something is getting taken from them, that they are losing something. But I truly feel that there is enough greatness in America for everyone and all Americans deserve a piece of it. Which is what I hope you get (in a fun way) from this painting!

If you want to bid, just put your bids in the comments section of this blog post. Starting bid is $50 and bidding ends on July 10th (next Monday) at 9pm EST.

Bid often and bid high! If the bids go higher than $200, I will mat and frame the painting for you as well!

Happy 4th of July!

on my desk monday

It's been a long, long time since I've illustrated another author's words...but I'm doing it now! I'm going to be illustrating an updated version of this old book:

 

Doesn't look familiar? Well, does the author ring a bell?

  

Yes! It's that Eleanor Roosevelt! I'm honored to say that I will be the illustrator of an updated version of "When You Grow Up to Vote" by Eleanor Roosevelt!

It's going to be a bit of a challenge for me--I didn't realize how rusty I was being "only the illustrator" until now. But, hopefully, I can rise to the occasion...wish me luck!

on my desk monday

I just finished the sketch for a charity art project. I'll put this up for sale the week of the 4th of July and give the money to Donor's Choose!

on my desk monday

Even though I was officially on vacation on the Cape, I still had to bring work:

The picture book is coming along and I am excited about this new direction, but it is slow going. I admit, it was made slower by the calls of the beach,

where Rain Dragon and I created art of another sort:

shell castle

sand ducks and hummingbird

And the discovery of the first autumn leaf:

Summer is over.

I'm glad, even though I had to neglect the drawing table, to enjoy some of it.

on my desk monday

I have a drawing board for my desk-- a real one that slants and everything. I don't know why I never had one before. But my back and neck are thanking me.

What am I drawing on my brand-new boards? Well, it's art that will be for my pre-order goody which I will tell you about soon...stay tuned!

on my desk monday

On my wall, I have this pretty cool (even if I do say so myself) poster! My publisher revealed them to me at last month's ILA conference and I was kind of blown away.  So much so, that I asked if I could have a bunch of them. They kindly obliged and I am thrilled to say that every goodie bag at my upcoming launch party will have one in it! Doesn't that make you want to come to the party?  Save the date!!!

Not local? I'm reserving some for an online giveaway...so stay tuned for that, too!

on my desk monday

all the type is "for placement only"

I'm making a book dummy (a mock-up of a book so you can get an idea of the flow of the word a pictures)! Like I said, it's been a while since I've made one of these. I am remembering the magic of double-sided tape.

The in-progress title of the new picturebook is "Little Star and the Big Mooncake"! It's going to be a bit different from my other work, you might be a little surprised when you see it but I'm excited...

on my desk monday

It's summertime! Even though I am very happy to be working in the studio, sometimes I feel like I should be outside to soaking in the sun. So, I  brought some sun inside:

just as good, methinks!

on my desk monday

Hey, lookie what I have! Advanced reading copies of Flying Lessons & Other Stories. It's the WNDB's short story anthology! Amazing authors like Jacqueline Woodson and Matt de la Pena are alongside yours truly (hoping they make me look good)--each writing an original short story to benefit WNDB. The collection is super awesome!

Are you a teacher or librarian and want a peek at it? E-mail me at gracelin.manager at gmail.com and I'll send you one of my ARC's! I have a limited supply, so contact me quick! You don't want to miss this book!  Sorry, I'm all out now! Thanks for your interest--please get the real book when it comes out in Jan 2017!

On My Desk Monday

I'm finally back to my painting desk! It's been a while. I'm glad I have this little project to warm back up.

It's kind of fun to do something that only really has to make sense to myself!  It's going to be part of an exhibition at Springfield's D'Amour Museum of Art to help celebrate the new Dr. Seuss museum that will open in the fall. More to come, but I'm looking forward to it!

On my desk Monday

I just discovered the bushes outside my window are lilacs. This is the first year since we've moved here that they've bloomed:

I  don't know how long they will last, but I love having them bloom on my desk, too:

Winter is truly over! 

On my desk Monday

Okay, not really in my desk, but floating in my living room are the leftover balloons from Rain Dragon's birthday party! More on that tomorrow...

What I'm working on today!

(see full image)

Story title art for the new novel...getting close to the finish line!

on my desk monday

On my desk today is a copy of the newspaper article featuring my week of school visits in Iowa! It was a great trip--I plan to write up more about it later--but in the meantime you can read the article HERE! Thanks so much for having me, Iowa City Schools!

on my desk moday

Today, there are flowers, a throwback to my past writing companions. 

These are to celebrate the almost-end of the novel writing, but mostly they are a last goodbye from the summer.

on my desk monday

The holidays are over so it's back to work!

Though, honestly, when I am writing a novel there is always a part of my that is thinking about it, which if my excuse why I am so absent-minded and disorganized these past months. This particular novel has been a hard one for me to keep straight, so I've actually done a pin board with all the important plot points to help keep me organized. Hope it works!

on my desk monday

Hope you had a great holiday! Ours was quite enjoyed, as evidenced by what is on my desk today:

Even though the house is now in shambles, it was built with a great deal of care. This year, instead of just being a critic, Rain Dragon was quite an active participant.   She helped with the construction:

(one marshmallow for the house, one marshmallow for my mouth)

to the decorating:

(it needs more jellybeans, more, more, more)

and, of course,  the finishing touch:

yes, now it is finished!

on my desk monday

I've sent out Christmas cards! Of course, I just sent them out on Saturday, so people it's a toss-up on whether people will actually get them before Christmas. Still, aren't you impressed?

Though, I guess I really shouldn't be that proud. The only reason I was able to get this together was because Rain Dragon's pre-school had what I think was the smartest fundraiser ever--they had a professional photo shoot/holiday card package that parents could sign up for. It made things so convenient that even the most disorganized and absent-minded of parents (yours truly!) were able to get their cards done. But, pretend to be impressed anyway, okay? Think of it as my Christmas present!

on my desk monday

Christmas shopping! You never go wrong giving books!

on my desk monday

Signing bookplates! I have to sign a huge stack of these for an upcoming school visit. Should be fun (the visit, not the signing)!

If YOU want books signed by yours truly, Broadside Books  can make it happen--just make sure you say you want it autographed in the comments section! If you want the books for the holidays, order soon!