One of the pictures Donna discovers in her brother’s sketchbook depicts Vincent during his protesting days. As someone who has personally participated in many anti-war demonstrations, I am deeply moved by this drawing. War, I believe, is the single most destructive force on our planet, and I am proud that my brother was actively involved in the Vietnam antiwar movement. (As a reminder, the character of Vincent is based on my own brother, also named Vincent.)
Vincent’s spirit lives on in each of Donna’s children. Silvia inherits his artistic talent. Cosmo is inspired to study astronomy because of his uncle. Angie is encouraged to play the piano at Vincent’s prompting. And his energy for social activism resides within her youngest son, Vince, who takes his mother to an Occupy protest in Chapter Thirteen. When Donna shows Vince this sketch of his uncle, he is awe-struck: “Wow! I didn’t know Uncle Vincent was so cool. I mean, I knew he was cool but not that cool. Can I get a copy of that one, Mom?”
The next drawing captures Vincent in his hippie days, running from police at a protest. In the background, the White House, the Washington Monument, and the American flag appear uncolored, like the clouds of tear gas swirling around him. He runs with strength and determination, his fists cutting through the air, long hair flowing in the wind. Donna recalls when Vincent told her about a protest he attended in Washington, D.C., during his college years:
“They sprayed us with tear gas, Donna. But that didn’t stop us,” he said, eyes shining with the spirit of revolution.
This sketch, like much of Vincent’s work, captures his courage, convictions, and unwavering commitment to living authentically—qualities that continue to inspire both family and readers alike.
Enjoy the following short excerpt from The Bird That Sang in Color.
This post is part of my latest blog series on the artwork that inspired the family saga, The Bird that Sang in Color. The art featured in these posts comes from a sketchbook that belonged to my brother, Vincent, which I discovered shortly after his death. It had pictures he’d drawn of himself throughout various phases of his life. This pictorial autobiography caused me to wonder what pictures I’d have of myself by the end of my life, which motivated me to live more fully. In writing this novel, I was able to share this powerful realization with the world. This novel is the third book in the Greco Family Trilogy. Each one of these family trilogy books is told from a different family member’s point of view. This one is told from the perspective of the Greco family matriarch, Donna.
Grace Mattioli is the author of the Greco Family Trilogy books, including Olive Branches Don’t Grow on Trees, Discovery of an Eagle, and The Bird that Sang in Color. These books are available from all major online book sellers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books.
