Art Everywhere!

Many thanks to Bill and Amy Adams for opening your joyful home for us. We were in awe of the playful art in every corner and on every surface.

Captain Whidbey Inn

Some of the characters in the bar at the Captain Whidbey Inn last week.

First day of plein air sketching 2012

What a Good day for sketching the Inn. This is the first sketch in my new Pentalic field book. As Kris says, it does take the watercolor well. Nice size, 7x10.

Captain Whidbey Inn

Greenbank Store

It's back!! And are we glad!

Captain Whidbey Inn

What a gorgeous day at Captain Whidbey Inn. Everyone there was so great...and a complimentary bowl of yummy Penn Cove Mussels!

On the Deck at the Captain Whidbey Inn

Ok.  Could this afternoon have been more perfect?  Don't think so.  Sketching, sipping chardonnay, sun, million dollar view of Penn Cove & Mt. Baker from the lower deck at the Captain Whidbey Inn, great girlfriends, lots of stories, laughing, and gabbing.  Perfection in my book. 


Ali sketching w/ Penn Cove in the background.

Easter at the Community Thrift

A tea for three and me

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What's behind door number 3?

The NEW Greenbank Grille

Very excited that the Greenbank Store's restaurant is open again! From all indications, the new owners are going to make it a success. They're testing menu items, getting lots of customer feedback, great atmosphere, friendly service, good dinner music, open all day every day, very welcoming and accommodating to the sketchers.

Everyone wanted to sketch this beautiful still life bathed in light in front of the french doors. It's as if it were arranged with us in mind!

If you like James Taylor, you'll love Nathanial Talbot. He entertained us through the dinner hour. Still trying to figure out how to handle the Neo Color II crayons, but I got some good tips from Kris - for next time. Layer dry crayon, water, dry crayon, etc.

Girls at the Grille

Sketched this from the car, then painted all the detail at home.

The lighting in the Grille was interesting.

Greenbank Grille

A fun day with my sketching pals at the Greenbank Store and Grille. I'm delighted to see them open again. My Portobello Mushroom Burger was great! Here's my sketches in order of completion...

A still life

Facing the bar and a couple sketchers.

The rooftop. A summer deck?

A dinner serenade by Nathaniel Talbot.

Another sketch of Nathaniel.

Sheep Shearing Event!

Sheep shearing on Whidbey, Welsh style! Claudia and Chuck Pettis invited to watch Welshman Eifion Morgan shear at their farm yesterday. It was bright and sunny, and cold. Amazing to see this process done by such a professional! In a blink, almost....each sheep came out got a haircut, then trotted off into the sunny pasture.

The rest of us all just watched.

Claudia skillfully gave pedicures and shots when required.

Schoolchildren were among the watchers...

Electric clipper!

And finally....one white sheep.

En Visite en France

Next week we leave for a long-planned trip to Southern Burgundy, the lower Rhône Valley and Provence.  Getting my sketching gear together, I just couldn't resist sketching our itinerary and of course with a map!!  À Bientôt.

Greenbank Farm with Ducks

Jet City Roller Girls

An evening of skating, slutty costumes, evil names, dance breaks, bad jokes, girl scouts, pure silliness - all for $13! We saw the Hula Honeys vs the Riot Girls followed by Camaro Harem vs. Carnevil. Who won? Don't ask me, I was sketching. (See Dan's blog for photos of the event.)

Sketchers mark your calendars. The next set of bouts are Saturday, April 14, 6 pm Everett Community College Fitness Center.
 

L to R: Camaro  Harem coach, ref on skates Kent Dutchdis, Carnevil skater, non skating official

Big Eddie, one of the Non Skating Officials

Vancouver Riot Girls bench (ice pack on far right skater's neck)

Camaro Harem's "Unshine" is down. Medics, coaches, officials gather round.

Referee huddle

Whidbey Gardening Workshop

It's March, daffodils are starting to bloom and I've got Spring Fever.  Yesterday it was great fun to sketch during the annual Whidbey Gardening Workshop while learning new tips. Ready to get out in the garden!

South Whidbey Commons

What an enjoyable afternoon at South Whidbey Commons. Can you see what is wrong with this picture? I was so engrossed in the conversations, I gave Sue 2 left arms. Ah well, she is so talented she could probably manage.

Curled Up with a Good Book

Marge the Giraffe looks surprised to see all us adults in
the children's room of the Langley Library.

Ivar's Fish Bar

South Whidbey Commons People

Quintessential Jay

I have very little to show for myself from last week's sketch meet at the Commons. Too much talking. Just got down a few people studies.

Pretty in pink (and purple).