Kalakala Afternoon!

We have been waiting for Kalakala to open their new location doors, and it is absolutely great!Very inviting  and creative space, good coffees and teas, can't wait to sample the beers and wine! Not to mention yummy healthy food! Welcome, and thank you for hosting the Sketchers!

Crazy, wonderful, elfin Christmas tree

A little late, but here is a sketch from the sketchers wonderful afternoon at Barbara's.  Thanks Barbara!

Kalakala Afternoon!

As Drew sat on his reindeer skin sanding newly carved wooden spoons, and people streamed in to check out the new spot in town and congratulate Drew and Amanda on their new adventure, the Sketchers occupied the big swinging table and other nooks and crannies around the place. I like to think we were documenting the opening of a new era in Langley. To me there was a feeling of old and new, ancient and hip. There is a timelessness about Kalakala while at the same time a sense of up to the minute brand new cool. Thanks Amanda and Drew for bringing yourselves and your vision to our little village. Happy New Year!!

Kalakala Mercantile Sketches, Part 1

For someone who loves to draw people, Kalakala Mercantile is a gold mine of material. It was brimming with great sketch-able characters doing interesting things in interesting costumes. Based on my observations, you are required to either have great hair or wear a hat in Kalakala.

So far, I've only tried one of several available flavors of drinking vinegars - the Thai basil. Who knew drinking vinegars was a thing? Apparently a lot of people who are a lot hipper than me. I shall return to sketch people and drink vinegar.

Drew whittles

Joni T.and friend

Tête-à-tête with a red head

KALAKALA

I met with the WISkers yesterday at Kalakala Co. Mercantile, a new place on the Second Street plaza in Langley to gather for coffee, tea, or a bowl of ramen noodles from a beautiful hand-thrown bowl, while seated at a hanging table, on a reindeer pelt, or (when the sun comes out again) at a sculptural table on the patio. I think they also plan it to be a craft beer garden. Kalakala is the brainchild of successful film animator and advertisers Drew Christie and Amanda Moore. It was certainly the "place to be" on Friday! Here is Drew whittlin' one of his many wooden spoons. The interior is tastefully done in very chic, soothing neutrals and white, which are lovely, but which upset my color sensibilities. So I, of course, (utilizing my artistic license) redecorated.

Christmas Cheer

What can I say?  Barb puts on a wonderful sketching/Christmas Party.  Merry Christmas everyone!

Camels, birds, and Sketchers, OH MY!

Camels, Birds, and Sketchers, OH MY!

What could be a finer celebration of gratefulness, good cheer, friendships, and island living than to gather with over 20 talented and uber friendly sketchers who came bearing fantastic food and art supplies?  I was honored, delighted and overjoyed to host the Second Annual WISK Xmas Sketch at Chez B.  This morning, I'm sipping my coffee and dining on yummy delicious Food of the Gods leftovers, delighting as the sketches are pouring into the blog.   It feels like a huge gift to see my home and person in such talented sketches!  A merry holiday to all my dear friends and thank you for your huge hearts and spirits.  LOVE TO ALL!

WISk Knows How to Celebrate!

We arrived in droves. We came laden with fabulous food, delicious wine, paints, pens, pencils, sketch books and hearts filled with Holiday Cheer. We ate (boy did we eat), we imbibed, we laughed and we sketched. Barb's spacious home, filled to the gills with wonderful art and festooned for the Holidays, was doing what it does best.....holding a group of people who were enjoying themselves. The Christmas Gnomes looked on and chuckled. We feasted in nearly every possible way. Thanks, Barb, for opening your home. And thanks, dear Sketchers, for enriching my life in unimaginable ways. We rock!!!

Where Santa Lives (when he's not at the North Pole)

Thanks, Barbara!! It was fabulous, and you are MAH-VELOUS!!!

A Sketchers' Kind of Christmas

If there's anything sketchers love more than sketching, it's partying. Thanks for hosting our fabulous WISk holiday party once again, Barb. A good time was had by all.

A party on the piano

Mary Xmas on a plain brown wrapper.

Christmas party 2015 at Barb Barry's home was divine!

She is much more beautiful than in the sketch...

Sketching with the "other half" of my dear sketching peeps.

Green macha tea and an almond cake in the Tea Room of the historic, old funky, charming Panama Hotel. A part of the exciting International District in Seattle, and, for me, a nostalgic trip down memory lane. With the PNW Sketchbook Skool sketchers - friends from Poulsbo to Mt. Vernon, Issaquah and Redmond, Whidbey Island and Seattle - all up and down the I-5 corridor. 

Over forty-five years of carving

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We went to the home of a sculptor who focused mainly on First Nation designs. The home, situated to take full advantage of our island's beautiful surroundings, was full of her work and her Mother's work from over 45 years of study and carving. Another gem on Whidbey Island. Thank you Diane for sharing your work and your Mother's work.

'tis the season at the Flower House Cafe

The Flower House Cafe is so cheery this time of year it would be impossible to not be in a joyful mood while there. Of course the delicious food they serve helps.

The down side of painting on Yupo is any drop of water can smudge the image. Of course that happened as I was walking out of the cafe and not willing to work any more on this piece.

Wi Fi Coffee

On a cold day, casual sketchers at the casual Wi Fi Coffee Bar. 

Warm and comfy!