Tag: Jackie Mcintyre

Bees and Birthdays

Dear Liza,

This past Friday was busy around here. It was Grandpa Nelson’s birthday AND First Friday at SideStreet Arts, where Auntie Bridgett was having a show.

The first part of the day was for presents and quiet puzzles. Grandpa enjoyed his refurbished clock and a gift card from Donna.

Later, we headed up to the gallery to see Bridgett’s art, along with the four other artists featured in the Love Buzz show. It was a chilly, drizzly evening, so the crowd was small. But the artwork was beautiful (and so was Auntie Bridgett).

She had paintings, moleskin sketchbooks, zines, buttons, and all sorts of adorable bits for sale. Her fellow artists Jackie McIntyre, Lea Barozzi, Michelle Gallagher and Brenda Scott and were showing paintings, ceramics, and collage works.

I think it is impossible to see bees and be sad. The colors and movement in the show even brightened the grey evening outside.

Grandpa Nelson and I visited with the artists for a while, then walked around the corner to Ankeny Tap and Table for his birthday dinner. Yummy sliders (my first actual beef in over a year… amazingly delicious) , French Fries, good conversation and a glass of red wine made for a fine celebration.

We waved at Bridgett as we headed home, walking quickly as the rain had started in earnest.
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