Happy Holidays!

A colorful holiday greeting from the world's busiest girl. Make time for friends, family, and all that truly matters. You can do anything.

Bright Horizons Library Unveiling

On the eve before the last major holiday (Thanksgiving), we had the pleasure of sharing Greta with a few Las Vegas youngsters, as Emily Snyder, director of the wonderful McCarran Bright Horizons daycare facility, unveiled their new library.

Reading, whether from a traditional paper book or on a shiny new digital tablet, is so critical to the development a child's communication skills. We're happy to somehow be a part of that.

Thanks, all, for your continued support. You can do anything.

Color Me Holiday.

Two new holiday-themed Greta coloring sheets for anyone who's feeling festive. Click. Save. Print. Have fun. Enjoy your family. Make the most of every single moment. You can do anything.

Greta At First Arts Factory Kidz Creative Korner

Sunday, October 23rd welcomed the first Kidz Creative Korner to the downtown Las Vegas Arts Factory, held on the outdoor space on the east side of Bar + Bistro. There was live music, pumpkin painting, a great set of hosts and emcees, and our very own Joseph Watson (illustrator and co-creator) live painting Greta for all the costumed kids (and parents) in attendance.

Books were sold and Greta buttons, stickers, and coloring pages were all the rage.

This event was a huge success for the downtown Las Vegas arts community which continues to build momentum and, luckily for all of us, it will be happening again shortly after November First Friday, and then again and again. Look forward to seeing more and more of you. Thanks for the continued support. You can do anything. Together, we can do it all.

Tada!

The original acrylic-on-canvas painting "Greta Riding Jamal" was unveiled Friday evening at Joseph Watson's gallery to a welcoming crowd and a round of applause. Thank you all for supporting Greta, the book, and everything else that is developing. Many more special things on the way.

Original Greta Painting Continues to Take Shape

Upcoming Unveiling

Greta seems to make friends wherever she goes. Here she is riding on the back of her ostrich friend Jamal. He can't fly so he rides a skateboard, which allows him to spread his wings and soar in other ways. Joseph is currently working on a painting depicting this scene from book 2 in what will soon be the Greta series. We are very excited by this. The painting will be unveiled at Joseph Watson's Gallery in the Arts Factory in Las Vegas during October First Friday. Here's a sneak peek at the painting-in-progress. Below the 2 stages of acrylic on canvas (actual size: 24" x 18") is the pencil sketch from the early stages of the book. Hope you can make it to the gallery on Friday the 7th. As ever, thanks for the support. You can do anything.

Greta gets another pretty special nod.

Mayor Carolyn Goodman was at the Arts Factory for an art unveiling during last month's Preview Thursday at the Arts Factory. She stopped by the Joseph Watson Collection and, from what I hear, was particularly attracted to the Greta section.

Joseph (and my wife Kristen who happened to be there) gave her the story behind the story, and the mayor was very complimentary. He also gave her a signed copy of our book which she said she may try to read during Nevada Reading Week, at which point everything would come full circle.

We hope Greta's influence continues to spread. Thank you, Mayor Goodman, for the nod of approval and unofficial endorsement.

Color Me Delicious.

Two more Greta coloring pages to add to your collection. We're hoping a couple of our favorite local restaurants will support Greta, The World's Busiest Girl, and use these in their establishments to entertain little ones dining out. Like a delicious Neapolitan pizza or a heaping scoop of raspberry gelato, enjoy.

Heroic half pint continues to flex her muscles

You never know how something is going to affect someone. So it makes us all feel pretty good that our young character has been welcomed with open (and nicely toned) arms. This past First Friday we were running low on books thanks to the number of orders that have been placed, but we were running high on enthusiasm.

At some point during the evening, the large Greta rubber stamp originally designed for packaging turned into a makeshift temporary tattoo maker, and now there's no going back. If Tricia is around to apply your ink, let her. Brilliant idea. Flawless execution.

Stay inspired and creative, all. You can do anything.

Color Me Soaring.

It's July 1st and few things can compete with the heat except maybe a delicious hang glider pizza. "What," you say. "Crazy!" Sure. If you're thinking about what is. When you think about what's possible, everything suddenly changes. Eyes widen. Doors open. Clouds part and make way for butterflies and sun rays. This is the 4th in the Greta coloring page series and there will be many more that follow.

If you're in Las Vegas this evening, looking for something to do, stop by the Joseph Watson Collection at the Arts Factory during First Friday. Take a look at the art on the walls and pick up as many coloring pages as you like. Buttons, stickers, and hand stamps too. All complimentary.

Get there early if you want to get a good parking spot (or one at all). Harder to park a pepperoni pizza glider but anything's possible.

Color Me Radiant.

The official first day of summer is two days behind us but the days are still plenty long. Let the sunshine warm and put a smile on your face. When the sun calls it a day, add as much color as you want to your own right here. Stay inspired. Stay creative. You can do anything.

Color Me Unlimited.

If school's not already out for the summer, it will be soon. So that leaves lots and lots of time for creativity. Download this coloring page of Greta mid-brushstroke, and put your own colorful spin on it. That's what she's here for—to inspire and remind us all that we can do anything. We look forward to sharing this message with kids, parents, and faculty first-hand when the school year resumes. Until then and even long after, let nothing stand in your way.

So, So, So, So Inspired

We are, by you.

Last night we saw another relatively successful turnout at First Friday. Joseph and I were there and able to sign several books for the teachers, parents, grandparents, and friends who were kind enough to check out Greta's corner, pick up the book, and express interest in what we're doing.

I have a friend who is forever inspiring and enlightening me with what he says and what he does. He is a fantastic writer in his own right, crafting elaborate stories and stringing endless pearls of wisdom. Occasionally, it seems, I return the favor. I recently asked him when he was going to write his story and he dismissed it as something the world may not need. My reply? "The world needs whatever you decide to share with it."

Does the world really need another cheese-flavored snack chip? Does the world really need another fizzy fruit beverage? Does the world really need another ratcheting screwdriver or retractible converter cable? I'm thinking no. Yet the shelves are brimming with them, new arrivals showing up each day to little protest.

I'd argue, the world needed neither another children's story nor Greta. But, never stopping to ask whether the world needed her or not, Joseph and I were compelled to give it a go. Recently, we shared and so far she's been received with open arms. Again, thank you.

We've also heard several stories of people having ideas for books, getting started on them, and letting them fall by the wayside. Story of my life. Chances are though, if you have an idea that you like or that makes you feel good, it will do the same for others. If it's a book, I look forward to reading it. If it's a cheese-flavored snack chip (a delicious one), I look forward to eating it. If the world never gets to experience it, you'll never know.

First Friday? Again? So soon?

June is a good month. I like it because the days get longer and that means I've got more daylight hours during which to pack in that many more adventures.

If you happen to be in Las Vegas and you're feeling a little adventurous yourselves, check out First Friday. If you're partial to smaller crowds, come one day early on Preview Thursday. If you're somewhere else, there's a good chance they've got their own First Friday or the equivalent. Look into it? Why not?

Last month, I got my own corner in the Joseph Watson Collection at the Arts Factory. This month will be the same, maybe even a little fancier. Hope to see some of you there. One of these days, I, Greta, might just show up in-person. You'll know about it before it happens.

For everyone who's received books, thanks again for your orders. Others are going out this week. Thanks, as always, for your patience and support. You can do anything.

Color Me Positive.

Few things set our imaginations afire like good, old-fashioned crayons. Markers, watercolors, and acrylics too. There's a certain magic and unbridled bliss that comes from unplugging and reverting to something so pure, elementary, and tactile, especially the older and more digitally-consumed we get.

So this coloring page and the many that will follow are here for your downloading and printing pleasure. We encourage each and every one of you (with or without young children or grandchildren) to sit down, creative implement in-hand, and have at it. Go on. Lose yourself. It's therapeutic. It's cathartic. It's calling upon a completely different part of the brain than we use each day.

Those who protest they "don't have a creative bone in their body" need to set that aside and just give it a go. If nothing more, untether yourself for five minutes and let the colored wax fly. Be meticulous. Scribble with abandon. Stay within the lines if that's your more speed or disregard them altogether. There's no right or wrong. Just have fun. If you "mess up" (which, again, you can't), print another one and start again.

A Go, Go, Greta coloring contest is imminent, not to create competition among toddlers or adults, but to unleash the inner visual virtuoso within us all. Details to come. In the meantime, if you do choose to create your own letter-sized masterpiece and want to share it with us, scan it or take a photo and, so long as we have your permission, we'll share it here. Email to info@gogogreta.com or upload to our Facebook page.

Stay creative and never stop reminding yourself you can do anything.

Progress. Not Perfection.

A dear friend once told me this and now I remind myself of it each and every day. Everything we accomplish is something and it's more than we had to show a few minutes, hours, days, or weeks before.

This book is very much a work-in-progress. We are proud of it in its current state but, perfectionists to the core, doing things on our own, we are looking to make it better at every turn. We love it as is but will continually be making tweaks and revisions while also forging ahead on volumes 2, 3, and whatever may come after that.

For you believers, supporters, and early adopters, rest assured (whether you've heard back from us directly or not) that your books are being hand-packaged with love and care and will soon be on their way, if they're not en route already. If you get in early by buying this first edition and we make significant improvements today or in the distant future, we will keep you in mind and do right by you then just as you've done right by us now.

The above progression is there to give you a sense of the process, time, and energy that goes into making, well, anything. Before a single sketch was drawn, this story (like many) started out as mere words set in Courier double-spaced on a blank page. At some point, the making of our children's book, from concept to finish, will be showcased here. Thanks for continuing to check in. Stay creative. Stay inspired. You can do anything.

Dear Ms. Oanes

With a little luck, maybe you or one of your students is out there reading this. You were kind enough to stop by The Arts Factory this past First Friday and purchase one of my books. We put a small Greta stamp on the back of your coloring page and went on a short goose chase looking for the big one. We didn't find it while you were there but it did turn up minutes after you were gone.

If you come back, we'll make good on the big stamp. Otherwise, share your school address here: info@gogogreta.com and we'll drop something special in the mail. Thanks for coming out and showing your support. Hope your students enjoy the book.

Small Wonder Stands Tall for Education

It was a trip to an at-risk elementary school over three years ago during Nevada Reading Week that led to the development of a children's book manuscript entitled "I Can Do It All." That manuscript eventually took on a different name and ultimately Greta Duzzett and Go, Go, Greta the book were born. So it's only fitting that this infinitely capable character return the favor wherever she can.

Saturday, May 14, amidst a flock of starry-eyed children, local urban artist, illustrator, and Greta co-creator Joseph Watson recreated a scene from our recently self-published book at a pro-education rally behind Las Vegas' esteemed Arts Factory in the up and coming 18b Arts District. With the future of southern Nevada's public education a looming question mark for students, parents, and faculty alike, the goal was to show support for our schools and the broad spectrum of art, music, culture, and literature programs that may be severely impacted or, sadly, lost altogether with proposed budget cuts.

On a brighter note, the overall spirit of the event was festive. There was live art and music. One of the goals was to give kids a canvas on which they could express themselves, and express themselves they did.

The theme of art and education from one specific spread within the book seemed appropriate. It will take more than a pint-sized, freckle-faced character to turn the tide on education but spreading a message of encouragement for the future leaders of the world is a good place to start.

It's what's on the inside that counts.

That's what they say. It applies to people and books, I suppose. Some of you have expressed interest in this book. Thank you for your support and your patience. Here are a few pages from the interior so you can get a better sense of what the book is all about. It's a simple message but one we hope will resonate with readers of any age.

We will begin fulfilling book orders this week and we'll be working towards a way where you can purchase online. In the meantime, they'll come straight from the creators. Maybe there's something cool about that too.

Thank you for my warm welcome.

It would seem a few of you believe in me and you hardly even know me. That's pretty cool.

I'm a quiet kid with a closed-mouth smile, a shark tooth necklace, a treasure chest lunchbox, one green boot, one blue one, thick glasses that I'm proud of, and a cornflower in my hair. That's it. I just showed up on the scene one evening, and you gave me a kind embrace.

I'm a little bit of a misfit and I'm totally okay with that because, honestly, what's normal these days? A little quirkiness or homespun charm is a good thing and I've got a lot of it.

For all who picked up a copy of my book, a button, sticker, or just flipped through the pages during downtown Las Vegas' First Friday, thank you. It's nice to know that there are a few of you out there who share a similar outlook on the world as my own. It's nice to be inspired and inspire others. I'll keep doing my part if you will.

I'm here!

Welcome to my world and thanks for welcoming me to yours. My name's Greta Duzzett. I can do anything. I can do it all. That's my motto. Maybe you should make it yours. It's all about staying positive, being encouraging, and doing amazing things.

My first book Go, Go, Greta (written by Dana Satterwhite and illustrated by Joseph Watson) is now available. It's the first time for any of us to step into the children's book arena, and we're self-publishing (for now) so please be forgiving if it's not perfect. It will get there. I have all the confidence in the world, in me, in them, and in you. Also, for now there is no ISBN associated with my book. There may be soon. We're still deliberating, honing, crafting. In the meantime, the best (and only) way to buy it is through the creators. Now, I'm off on another adventure. Let's see what the day brings.

Oh yeah! I'll be making my debut this evening at the Joseph Watson Collection in The Arts Factory and Blackbird Studios during First Friday in downtown Las Vegas. Wasn't sure how things were going to come together but they're looking pretty good. Books, buttons, stickers, t-shirts will be available for purchase individually or as a package. Shirts and books will be available in limited quantities. I'm cute but I'm not all that popular (yet). I mean, seriously. You guys have never even met me before. Wanted to gauge everyone's level of interest, so we did a short run on those items. Finally, there will be coloring pages and hand stamps for the kids. If you're a kid at heart, you can have some of those too.

Thanks for checking me out and special thanks to all the amazing folks over at Opportunity Village who created the buttons with me on them. That really is a special place and they do so much good for this community.

Maybe we'll see you tonight. Otherwise, next First Friday we'll be all over it!