small graces...the LAST painting

This proverb has always been a favorite of mine, but it took me quite a while for me to truly puzzle out the meaning. To me, I finally realized, this proverb means "remember, feeding your soul is just as important as feeding your body." It is a reminder to value your spirit.

Which I thought was apropos for the December painting, this very last painting I am doing for the small graces project. This project is has been very valuable to my spirit and I hope to yours too!

This painting goes on auction on NOW! So go and BID, BID, BID!

And don't forget you can also purchase small graces prints from Child At Heart! They are the perfect holiday gifts--I keep thinking the Sept. one would be lovely for a child's teacher--but timing for holiday shipping is waning so get your order in soon(like now)!

on my desk monday

Sketch for December small graces (the last one!)

small graces painting AND prints!

It's time for the November auction of Small Graces: A Painting a Month for the FCB!

Not only is this painting on auction RIGHT NOW (there is only one painting left after this!); there are now PRINTS available! The FCB in coordination with The Child at Heart Gallery have made the paintings of Jan., May and Sept. into affordable prints! Perfect holiday gifts for any teachers on your list.

And don't forget to bid now on the October original painting!

on my desk monday

Sketch for November's small graces auction (only 1 more left after this!). Auction on Nov. 16th!

new events & auction!

Please note that I have updated my event calendar! I'm going to be at the Boston Book Festival as well Vermont and Maine. Come out and see me, New Englanders!

Also it's time for small graces again!

This painting is on sale NOW!

(By the way: This painting, for some reason, did not translate well online. I don't like to have "favorites" but I, personally, really like this one and want to impress upon you that this looks much nicer in real life! The purple is more reddish with many pattern detail on the coat that are lost in this image. Also, I've painted a subtle glow around all the lanterns and origami fireflies that is not well captured.)

on my desk monday

Sketch for October's small graces auction. Final painting will go on auction next Monday (Oct. 19th).

September Auction

This painting is on auction NOW! Auction ends tomorrow!

BID NOW!

url:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ORIGINAL-PAINTING-by-Childrens-Book-Author-GRACE-LIN_W0QQitemZ220480486915QQcmdZViewItemQQptZArt_Paintings?hash=item3355a93e03&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

on my desk monday

sketch for September's small graces; thought it would fit for those having to go back to school!

August Auction

Ooops, almost forgot! This painting is on sale NOW (auction ends tommorrow)!

BID NOW!
URL:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220464884999&_trkparms=tab%3DSelling

on my desk monday

sketch for August's small graces

small graces: NOW!

Oops, forgot to send the notice for this earlier but the small graces auction is happening NOW!!

Bid Here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ORIGINAL-PAINTING-by-Childrens-Book-Author-GRACE-LIN_W0QQitemZ220451246067QQcmdZViewItemQQptZArt_Paintings?hash=item3353eb0ff3&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A4|39%3A1|72%3A1205|293%3A1|294%3A200

on my desk monday

sketch for July's small graces.

forgot to mention

My small graces painting is on auction NOW and ends on Friday!

URL: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220434979010

on my desk monday

Sometimes things on my desk aren't that interesting. This is paper being prepped for next month's small graces painting. I still don't know what I am going to paint, which is why it is blank.

art for sale

I'm on auction! Or rather my art is...and all for good causes:

First, of course is my monthly painting for small graces. Remember, I'm donating a painting a month to the Foundation of Children's Books to fund author visits to under served schools? Well, here is this month's painting:
You can bid on it NOW!

Secondly, I've also donated to the Bridget Zinn auction

The children's book community have donated various cool items to help Bridget Zinn, an author and librarian recently diagnosed with colon cancer. It's a wonderful thing. I donated original art and books from Robert's Snow. I haven't parted with any of the original art from that book yet and I had a slight twinges when I decided to; but when I looked at my work it just felt like the right thing to do.

You can bid on my art and books by leaving a comment on the auction listing.

So, make your wall pretty and your soul happy! All good!

in my desk monday

My in-progress-painting for this month's small graces auction!

small graces: April's Guest Artist

I've been so bogged with traveling and deadlines that April's small graces painting is done by guest artist. Great friend and fellow author/illustrator Anna Alter has wonderfully filled in!

Anna Alter is the author and illustrator of many books for children, including What Can You Do with an Old Red Shoe? A Green Activity Book about Reuse and Abigail Spells. A former teacher, Anna makes books for young children that inspire them to be creative and love learning. She works out of her home in the Boston area, where she often visits schools to speak about her work. Visit her website here.

Isn't this painting so sweet? Stay tuned for auction dates!

small graces: March

This painting will be on auction on March 9th! Please spread the word!

more at www.smallgraces.org

small graces: February

This is the painting that will be auctioned for for February's small graces. The auction is tentatively scheduled for the 2nd week in February, so I made the painting a bit Valentine's Day themed. Stay tuned for more details (and of course, spread the word!)

www.smallgraces.org

Small Graces: A Painting a Month for the FCB

As I mentioned in my 2009 post, I was very proud of Robert's Snow. It is probably one of the most meaningful things I have ever done and it made me a true believer in the Winston Churchill quote, "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

While I don't feel capable of running a large project like that again, I do want to continue its spirit if only in a small way.

So, I am proud to announce my new charity project:

Small Graces: A Painting a Month For the FCB


Once a month a small(roughly 5x5 inch), unpublished, original painting of mine will be auctioned off through eBay with 100% of the proceeds to benefit the Foundation of Children's Books. This painting(above) will go on auction from Monday, January 12 through Friday, January 16. (I'll post a link then!)

It is a variation on Robert's Snow except:

1. I'm the only artist, and there is only one painting during each auction

2. It will happen once a month for the year of 2009

3. The original paintings will all be illustrated small bits of wisdom (inspired by the collecting I've been doing for Fortune Cookie Fridays)

4. The money (all of it) will go to the Foundation of Children's Books to support author visits in low-income schools. Why? Read HERE.

This is just my small way to give back to schools and the community, and it can be yours too! Please spread the word and bid!