Saturday, October 13, 2007

Robert's Snow

It is finally here!! It is time for bloggers to showcase an illustrator each day from now through November. We will feature an illustrator that has made a snowflake for Robert's Snowflake - a wonderful online auction to raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Sadly enough, it all began when Grace Lin's husband, Robert, was battling a long battle with cancer. He passed away just a few short months ago and this is ALL IN HIS HONOR.

Each blogger that wanted to participate has chosen an illustrator/illustrators to showcase. I asked right away for Grace and was so pleased to be allowed to post on her snowflake. I am a BIG, BIG fan of Grace Lin - she is just one of THE BEST, in my humble opinion!!! And not only that, I feel honored to showcase her as it was her husband that this whole auction is in honor of! I asked Grace for some background of why she became a writer/illustrator and she said:

"I grew up in Upstate NY and I knew at an early age that creating children's books was what I wished to do. In my book, "The Year of the Dog" the main character enters a National Book contest and wins 4th place. That really
happened to me and it was from there on that I knew I wanted to make books for my job."

Grace has written so many wonderful books that I could not even begin to tell you our favorite over here, but I will say that she was a favorite LONG before we ever adopted our daughter from China, and now her "Asian flair" just makes her books all the more sweet to us!! When I asked Grace about participating in the blog event she said "I would like to try to participate in promoting Robert's Snow as it is very important to me. My hope is that the fundraiser continues on forever, so that Robert will always be remembered." These last few months have not been easy for Grace but she believes firmly in Robert's Snow and has decorated a beautiful snowflake.

"My snowflake is called "Flower." Amidst white snow, a vividly clothed girl stands like a flower. I painted it when Robert was declining, while things like hope and happiness were not obviously in the landscape. Yet, even in those days, we were able to find bits of beauty and bittersweet joys. Those moments were like finding flowers in the snow. "


Grace added, "I thought it might be interesting for people to know that the style I painted my snowflake was inspired by Chinese Cloisonné." I think her snowflake is stunning! If you want to bid on Grace's, or any other snowflake, head over to the auction site and check them out! What a great cause!


Oh yes, AND one last thing!!! Grace has graciously offered to give away a wonderful gift here at my blog!! All you need to do is leave a comment on this post and you will be entered into a drawing for a signed copy of her book, Lissy's Friends, AS WELL AS an accompanying Lissy Doll!! (Ok, to be honest I'd be jealous except, yes, we already have them both!!!) And if you don't win - go ahead and buy a set for yourself anyway - you won't be disappointed!!

41 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a great post! Her snowflake is absolutely beautiful.

Thanks for doing such a nice job on the FIRST POST of our big 'ol fundraising effort!

(You don't have to enter me into the drawing -- I want others to win . . . but I wanted to leave this comment anyway)

Mary Lee said...

Great post -- beautiful snowflake! Let the blizzard begin!

Tricia said...

Wonderful post! I love Grace's intricate work. I'm so glad you included the picture of her at the gallery. It's so nice to see her smiling!

Anonymous said...

We've been talking lately about a "sense of hope" in children's books.

I see it here in the tilt of the girl's umbrella. She's not hiding under the umbrella, she's tilted it up and back just enough to see the snow and the sky.

It's a powerful and beautiful painting.

Elaine Magliaro said...

Thanks for this post about Grace. I can tell you that her 2007 snowflake looks even more beautiful when you see it in person!

Don't include me in the drawing--I already have a copy of the book and a Lissy doll.

Helen/Spike and Drusilla OK Citizens said...

The snowflake is beautiful. But more beautiful to me is the happiness on Grace's face as she looks at the snowflakes. Thanks for posting that picture.

jama said...

Gorgeous, beautiful snowflake! I am a diehard Grace Lin fan. Thanks so much for showcasing her.

Charlotte said...

That is one lovely snowflake, and the thought it represents so well is lovely too (I would have said this without the contest incentive!).

Anonymous said...

This is really touching and her snowflake is oh-so-beautiful. What a perfect way to kick off this amazing effort...

Anonymous said...

Wow. That's just the most amazing piece of artwork.

Andromeda Jazmon said...

Oh please let me in this contest! I have Lissy's Friends and I am giving a copy of the book and the doll to friends that recently adopted their daughter from China, but I'd like another of my very own!

Beautiful photo of Grace and wonderful interview. Blessings.

Terry Doherty said...

What a magical snowflake ... an image that will stay with me (and make me smile) for sure!

tanita✿davis said...

Oh, WOW, that is beautiful. I am so touched that she painted a girl with an umbrella when she was feeling so low -- the fact that the girl is still protected, still looking out and up, speaks volumes.

(I don't need to be in the contest - just wanted to say great post!)

ElsKushner said...

Such a nice post, and such a beautiful snowflake. Congratulations on kicking off this amazing project!

Becky said...

I love Grace Lin's work! And the snowflake is beautiful!

Readert said...

This snowflake is exquisite - an inspiring work of art for wonderful cause.

Rita

Mary Beth said...

The snowflake is beautiful and the intricacy of the cloisonne overwhelms me. Lovely post!

JulieM said...

Thanks for sharing ... that was beautiful!! We'd love books over here and would love to add it to our collection!

gail said...

Stunning snowflake! Loved hearing the part about the art being inspired by "Chinese Cloisonné. I'm going to have to do some research on that now! Just beautiful!

Thanks for the great post,
gail

Courtney Pippin-Mathur said...

beautiful snowflake and great info from grace. she is an awesome person as well as an amazing illustrator!

Anonymous said...

That's one of the prettiest snowflakes I've seen. So intricate, so elegant. Beautiful.

Alyssa F said...

I love the snowflake! What a beautiful contribution.

Anonymous said...

Grace's comment about finding bits of beauty even while her husband was declining really got me. I know just what she means. And the snowflake is lovely, such a wonderful tribute.

Vivian Mahoney said...

You did such a great job on this. Grace's snowflake is simply beautiful. And if it is anything like her artwork I saw at her book launch, it must be even more gorgeous in person.

No need to enter me in the contest. I just wanted to comment.

KC said...

That's beautiful!

Anonymous said...

I truley enjoyed reading your post about Grace Lin and her books. I've heard wonderful things about her books.
Her snowflake is so beautiful.

elysabeth said...

WOW - we are getting mentions everywhere. I found your link through another posting that was sent in the email today - okay very beautiful snowflake. Very delicate looking. I wish I could afford to bid on some of these but alas, not this year. I love snowflakes but winter is not my favorite season. I know I'm weird - just love snowflakes. Thanks to Linda Budz for having this originally on her blog so I could get in on the action to at least sponsor the event, if not an illustrator but who knows maybe next year I can sponsor an author. - E :)

Garden State Kate said...

Great post! Grace Lin is a huge favorite at our house and her snowflake is lovely.

Nancy said...

What a beautiful post and beautiful snowflake! Nicely done all around.

Camille said...

Exquisite, just like the lady who created it. I have a tiny piece of cloisonné and the intricate veinings of gold in this snowflake evoke it perfectly.

Lovely post!

Mommy Spice said...

I am a former second grade teacher, and now a preschool teacher. I love, love, love books!! I am going to check out Grace's books. I really enjoyed reading this post.

3 Peanuts said...

This is absolutely beautiful. I will definitely check out this book.

KIm

Mom 2 six said...

I have to check Grace out !

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful post! My 7th graders are helping me conduct interviews for my illustrators over at Kate's Book Blog, and we looked at yours today so they could see how it's done. Thanks for sharing Grace's incredible story and her beautiful snowflake with us!

Anonymous said...

What a touching post. I love her artwork, the details. The photo of Grace in the gallery is touching as well/

Amy Schimler-Safford said...

Wonderful interview. Grace's snowflake and comments about the illustration are just beautiful and inspiring.

Saipan Writer said...

I love cloisonne and I live the snowflake, story and most of all, the cause. Great job all around.

Adele said...

Oh what a beautiful snowflake. Oh I love Grace Lin books. She is incredible.
What a worthy cause!

the Crists said...

I am new at the discovery of Grace Lin's books - and I can't wait to introduce them to my two beautiful daughters from China! The snowflake is just beautiful! We can't wait until Molly sees her first snow!

ChristineMM said...

I love this entire project!

Grace Lin's quote about her husband's declining health and finding bits of beauty made me tear up as it is exactly the same thing I'm going through with a relative dying of Cancer right now. I can completely relate and actually wrote piece on finding beauty in our everyday surroundings yesterday!

Kristi Valiant said...

It may be too late to post a comment to win, but I have to say that snowflake is just gorgeous! Simple yet intricate design.

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