Book excerpt: Melinda March is eleven years old when she arrives at Andersen Manor, her familys timeworn estate. The Andersens are an entire family of artistscolorful, inventive, and a bit odd. Her aunt Lizzy would mentor her for the summer as the latest and greatest up-and-coming artist in a long line of a family of artists. Her summer takes a magical turn when she finds an old painting that comes to life, transporting her to Arcadiana world beyond the paint. She finds a long-lost boy from the Andersens past and meets the people of Alizarin City, where she learns her gifts as a talented artist go far beyond the natural world.