Wednesday, while talking to Blue in art class at the Bishop Maginn High School, I sat down with her and her teacher, Sue Silverstein, and we talked about Blue’s summer plans art wise.

Maria and Sue and I all feel she has real talent, we hope to encourage her, she works hard at it.

I’ve learned it is very important for me to sit down with these refugee children once in awhile, they never ask for anything, but they are straightforward about what they have and don’t have.

In conversation, their real needs emerge. There is something powerful about giving children who has nothing something they badly need or want.

School ends this coming week, and Blue said she wouldn’t be able to paint again until September, because she will be working or at home  most of the time. She just took it as a given that she couldn’t paint because she has no art supplies.

I asked her what she would need to be able to paint at home over the summer and we sat down together and wrote out a list, with Sue’s help: watercolor paper, water color paint, watercolor brushes, masking tap, acryllic paint and canvas boards, 8 x 10 and 12 x 16.

We went to our favorite arts supply store in Bennington, Vt. and got what we needed. I had to get some of the canvas boards on Amazon. It cost $155 all together.

Maria is coming with me to Bishop Maginn on Wednesday, we’ll bring these things to her then. If she wishes to sell her summer paintings, she can bring them into Sue, I’ll be visiting the school regularly in the summer.

Her latest painting, Floral Seasons, ( signed) was sold yesterday, it will be finished this coming week. I’m also bring some more sneakers into the class. Thanks for your support.