Tag: Anna Magruder

Anna Magruder’s Open Studio

Dear Liza,

Saturday was drizzly and cold, a proper Fall day in Portland. But Auntie Bridgett’s friend, artist Anna Magruder, was displaying her paintings in the garage of the SideStreet Gallery, so we put on jackets and headed up.

I love Anna’s paintings! She has a delightful, whimsical, surrealist style that keeps me looking, because I keep seeing something new.

Some of her big acrylic paintings seem to be proper portraits, and on closer inspection, show lizards, mushrooms, or other unexpected details. While we visited, Anna was working on a lady with Turkey Tail fungi as her hair.

But others have a dreamy look, like a thought that is not quite formed in your mind. I just love them.

Anna herself is a lot of fun, as well. We chatted and laughed for nearly two hours as she painted. Inside the Gallery, we found lots more to look at, including some Christmas presents for the Cousins and Auntie Katie.

All in all, a very satisfactory afternoon!

Love,

Grandma Judy

Chilly First Friday

Dear Liza,

Last Friday was very cold but not wet, so Auntie Bridgett and I bundled up and walked over to First Friday at SideStreet Arts Gallery. Although she is not a member anymore, she still has art on the wall and lots of friends there.

I wore my light-up hat because by the time we stepped out at 4:30, it was dark outside! These short winter days sure make me appreciate light. And warmth. And art!

The gallery is all decked out for Christmas, with several small trees decorated with hand-made ornaments. Our friend Melody Bush has carved these whimsical Santas from basswood.

Besides Christmas themes, there seemed to be birds everywhere!

Amelia Opie made this bright owl from wood and clay…and there was a whole flock of birds along one wall! Scott Cameron Bell’s Ceramics, Jackie McIntyre’s paintings, and even a raven book carving by Melody Bush.

I got to visit with Anna Magruder, a new member of the gallery, about her paintings that bring history to life. I had recognized many of the images from my history research. Here, she shows a fictionalized Abigail Scott Duniway leading women to vote.

When we had seen all the art we could digest, it was off to find dinner. The temperature was dropping quickly, so we dashed across 28th Street to The Bivy, a pod of food carts. We enjoyed the wood fire pit as we waited for our dinner of chicken crepes to be ready, then walked home enjoying the Christmas lights in the neighborhood.

I hope you have a wonderful week!

Love,

Grandma Judy