Traci Van Wagoner

The adventure continues and is nearing it's end. It’s been a while since I’ve updated everyone on Eensy, Teensy Teddy Bear's Adventure.

An update on the progress I've made with Teddy Bear's Adventure including sneak peeks at a couple rough spreads.

Step One of my picture book illustration process: the text dummy. Setting the imagination free to explore.

Vulnerability by Traci Van Wagoner I promised to share my creative journey as a children’s book writer and illustrator. I feel I may have been portraying an unfair look at my life as an illustrator. As an introvert I keep everything to myself pretty much. I don’t want to bother others with my problems, and so, I show and share the good stuff. I am a very positive person for the most part, so this is not a lie … exactly. But it’s not fair really for those struggling to balanc

by Traci Van Wagoner Part 5 of 5 Snow piled up on the windowsill, and I couldn’t take my eyes off the glowing star on top of our tree. It had to work. Papa had to see it. Tick-tock, tick-tock. Almost eleven. And then, I heard something. A snort. A whinny. The creak of wagon wheels and a whistle. “It’s Papa!” “I knew he would make it!” Jacob hollered. We raced outside toward Papa’s bobbing lantern. I elbowed Jacob and grinned, “I knew you missed him.” “Whoa!” Papa’s voice boom

by Traci Van Wagoner Part 4 of 5 I sang my heart out, sometimes glancing out the window. It wasn’t snowing. But Papa still wasn’t home, and now the grandfather clock chimed ten. Bed time. “I don’t want to go to bed,” Jacob said, peeking out the window. “Mama, please let us stay up,” I said. “Oh, all right, children. Come, let’s sit by the fire, and I’ll tell you a story about the star and the wise men.” Halfway through the story, my eyes rolled to the window. My heart stopped

by Traci Van Wagoner Part 3 of 5 The sun sank low and Jacob breezed past me. “Last one home is a lump of coal!” I raced to catch up. “Maybe Pa is home by now!” Jacob beat me home, and I saw his shoulders sag when he didn’t see the horse and wagon. “He’ll be home,” I muttered as we brought in coal and wood for the fire. But the sun was going down. “Don’t you miss him?” I asked. “Sure, I guess,” Jacob said. He acted casual, but I knew better. I worried as we pulled out the Chri

by Traci Van Wagoner Part 2 of 5 At lunch, I stared at the melting butter on the steaming hunk of homemade bread and worried. “Why aren’t you eating?” Mom asked. “Jacob said Pa might not make it home for Christmas.” I looked at Jacob and he shrugged. Ma scolded my brother. “Stop filling her head with nonsense.” “He’s coming home tonight, right?” I asked. “It’s Christmas Eve. He’s got to.” “Stop fussing child,” Ma said. “Now run along both of you and play.” Jacob and I headed

Written and illustrated by Traci Van Wagoner Inspired by a story told by Grandma Mead on many a Christmas Eve. Part 1 of 5 My breath blew out in front of me in billowy, white clouds. “I wonder if Bella knows what today is.” I said. Jacob looked up from milking. “Sure she does, don’t ya ol’ girl.” He slapped the cow’s round side. I held out a handful of hay for her. “How does she know? She’s just a cow?” “Baby Jesus was laying in a cow’s manger,” Jacob said. “Not Bella’s. That

A behind the scenes look at my process of illustrating a children's picture book The project begins: * manuscript cut up into text dummy * thumbnails and exploratory sketches * Character development * The painting splattering begins After developing characters and getting approval I did this rough color sketch to establish my basic color palette. I didn’t end up using this spread, but it still holds a special place in my heart. "I am speechless.  And there are only a few time

I had a great time at my launch party for Ruth Asawa: A Sculpting Life. Thank you all for your support and help in sharing. I'll share photos next. But for now, I wanted to announce the winner of the book giveaway... (drumroll please) And the winner is... Cassie Aiden #bookgiveaway #newbook #winner #winnerannounced #signedbook #RuthAsawa #kidlitart #kidlit

Ruth Asawa: A Sculpting Life Written by Joan Schoettler Illustrated by Traci Van Wagoner Pelican Publishing, Fall 2018 Calling all parents, artists, sculptors, WWII historians, cultural historians, critics, musicians, gallery owners, book lovers, teachers, librarians, couch critics, and anyone who would love to learn about an amazing Japanese-American artist known as the Fountain Lady of San Francisco, Ruth Asawa. I'm announcing an opportunity to get your hands on a signed co