da Vinci Middle School

The da Vinci Art Show

Dear Liza,

After I chatted with you on Saturday, Bridgett and I went over to Cousin Kestrel’s Middle School for their art show and sale. Since da Vinci is a magnet school for the Arts, there was a lot to see.

Of course, I wanted to see Kes first.

She was selling stickers, sketches and other art. Rest assured, some are coming your way!

The student show was in the main hallway on the first floor. There were about 20 young artists showing and selling their art.

There were textile artists, like seamstresses, knitters, and felters, ceramicists, jewelry makers, and pen and ink artists. There was all manner of crafting, as well.

A lovely young lady named Eleanore had all sorts goodies, including Christmas tree ornaments made of tangerine peel and cinnamon stick. See them there in the little display tree?

And here it is on my Christmas tree, alongside a dragon.

To be fair, there was also a show for Professional artists in the gym, but my ‘talking to people’ muscles were tired and I scooted out.

On the way, we passed some of the student murals that decorate all the halls.

There was also student art that wasn’t for sale, and I particularly liked this one. It felt very timely.

And here’s my last picture of the day, Kestrel with her head down, drawing… as always.

Love,

Grandma Judy

Kestrel’s Art

Dear Liza,

You know that your cousin Kestrel has always been interested in arts and crafts.

Since she was young, she has been designing costumes and clothes for dolls (and herself).

She’s always had a creative bent and a fine eye for drawing. And since she enrolled in da Vinci Arts Middle School, her talents have grown! This year, she made her jellyfish hat for SOAK.

She has had a table at Auntie Katie’s Books with Pictures ComicCon, where she gave people temporary tattoos.

And to share her love of arts and crafts, she had a booth at this years’ SOAK festival called Craft Soup, where she dished out all sorts of crafty supplies and helped people be creative!

This year she had been learning ceramics and yesterday, at her 13th birthday party, she gave ME her latest ceramic creation. It is a dish with a map of my favorite place in Portland, Laurelhurst Park!! It even has a duck swimming in Firwood Lake.

Can you believe it? It’s about 9 inches wide and 5 inches high, and will easily hold cookies, grapes, and other yummy things. It also looks good just sitting on the table.
I am astonished at her skill and humbled by her generosity.

As I tell you all the time, I am one lucky Grandma.

Love,

Grandma Judy

The First False Spring of 2024

Dear Liza,

Our weather has warmed up, and boy, is it nice outside! The sun is bright and the only clouds are teeny fluffy things that look like leftover streamers from a party. The temperature was mid to high 60s, no wind, and absolutely lovely.

There was even a juggler person out in front of the Mix Tape shop on Belmont, smiling and chatting while tossing and catching their rings.

It was also the day I pick up Kestrel from school, so I got to walk through the neighborhood to the Da Vinci school, where I sat on the delightful cement dragon that is in the schoolyard.

Even the restaurant patios along 28th Avenue are set up and ready for guests. This delightful sign reminds us that we should appreciate the good weather when we have it.

It says “It’s a good time to be outside.” And it is right!

I hope you have lots of wonderful things to be grateful for.

Love,

Grandma Judy

Fetching Kestrel

Dear Liza,

When you and I lived in the same city many years ago, I would come pick you up after school and we would hang out together. We made bread, played in the garden, and just got to be silly. We even got to know a Panther at Hartnell College.

Now that Cousin Kestrel and I both live in Portland, I get to pick her up from her school, sometimes. She goes to da Vinci Arts Middle School, so she gets to take dance, textile art, and theater as well as math and social studies. It is a mile walk from my house to the school, so we both get some exercise.

And these bright chilly fall days, we get some sun!

There is a wonderfully weird cement dragon named Leo in the schoolyard, who makes a great place to sit and wait for the bell to ring.

He has benches along both sides, but I prefer to sit on his scaly tail.

I am so happy to be able to get to know both my Grandgirls.

Love,

Grandma Judy