![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDCUGS3QH44jAG4GgGB7km5Qn9LeAqSZ55QwNEjitNcpgoZrBg9iNlpw9i3vCG2VECpl8Qf6hYDn8xj1Luw5Ig-Mj1XBNR2imAVGu3hrXZHs87Bti_VVnazj6qI5NBwOF4P6HHuFB9yO28/s400/katie1.jpg)
Can you guess the subject of the SUPER SECRET book I've been working on since winter? Check out my desk. It's what it looked like as I completed my last painting. I had to use a LOT of cowboy hat referencing for this one. Hmm.....
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7Q4JfoiZAA8cCyyYx7lMYihUIbrKZ4SLh3NPdyHRSbeNYnqCEfS_NYQjnQEfLH5GQTWjW0zLaNCF7JNn6lAeBHR4IXDj723WqBbLBZD9eRAsD0VvVvJO7S1hGV2AfW8-xN2R_YkI0Ng5/s400/tim1.jpg)
The story is called My Little Girl, written by Tim McGraw, after his song, "My Little Girl" featured in the film, Flicka. It's about a daddy and his daughter, sharing a day together.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-p1vkhFQEHjJy2FtRyUQIiOAQ_hvhQzQxli0Z6Fn-JYRnEtqVlW0LPD76UQNX64A14x_SeCLhC8gdTPtdp5L7miXJCTEplHR5wilX5RFoAOmbvVNFz9wvY-WN4Neq0u6CpqBADRUsnEj/s400/Picture+41.png)
Though I never really gave country music much time on my iTunes, I made a Pandora station for just for Tim, to check out his sound. I did grow up surrounded by a love of old southern spirituals, and my mother was always crankin' up the Mary Chapin Carpenter, or playing her favorite folk on her Yamaha (a singer/songwriter herself!). So although country's roots and my roots might have shared familiar soil, I had to introduce myself. I admire the narrative spirit and innocence in that music's tradition. And I took a liking to McGraw's "Last Dollar"- the sweet little voices with their own twang at the very end of the song!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWOz3wFEBJw0qBywXqjGhlMlecTXiB7O82Gxp5KlreEvaEpC61r38DbkDfDaTLimr7J0vKmneOq2dsqE-iWWXaUOke02ENlkzX5Irvtv_g1XFWzkFQsEtwWff5PDJwVBX-0kG-Io2o2HV/s400/Picture+35.png)
So, in the spirit of that song, my own blue grass collection) and some of my sunniest girlhood memories, I made a little book for Tim Mcgraw and his daughters. I really do hope they like it. It was my first book working in watercolor/digital composite, so I know now what I will change for my next book and such...a learning experience I am very thankful for.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiCPIwTgwVSqMsjjUFjUAINCvJljDRoJQQfACvTF8j6VRbIb5APH8yLRFuVOiIF3jtzdAKdqvddWcyMAihV5c0BYhrrPw530RYELTnEi9Z8imN5z25JWOcOkeAGsKd3ijrBtdUTdUQvoX/s400/Picture+42.png)
So I tip my hat to Mr. McGraw. Look for My Little Girl on shelves Fall '08!